What South African Touring Cars Race Preview
Where Red Star Raceway, Delmas
When Saturday 18 April 2026
Community South Africa National
Old hands return to combat SA Touring Cars rookie rout at Red Star
Gauteng race fans can expect extra excitement when the South African Touring Cars head to Red Star Raceway near Delmas for the first time in three years for the second round of the National Extreme Festival on Saturday 18 April. Two significant new entries will bring great interest to the racing to counter what proved a rookie rout at the opening round in the Cape last month. The SATC SupaCup meantime promises just as much intrigue, where it’s a case of local knowledge versus the status quo.
One of the most exciting aspects last year, was Keegan Campos’ fight back as he tried and came tantalisingly close to making up lost ground and stealing the title after missing the first round. Well, history will repeat when Keegan returns to attempt the same again in 2026. He rejoins the action in his Campos Transport Chemical Logistics FAST BMW 128ti. History however tells us that Keegan came close, but no cigar to toppling champion Michael van Rooyen’s Toyota Gazoo Racing Corolla.
Campos and his BMW are not the only new entry for Mpumalanga’s second round. The other is a brand new third Investchem WCT Volkswagen Golf GTI for a top driver whose identity will remain secret for now. He will join Killarney winners, rookie sensation early championship leader, and Killarney feature race winner KC Ensor-Smith’s African Heating Investchem WCT Volkswagen Golf GTI. Cape reverse grid sprint winner Julian van der Watt’s third Investchem WCT machine makes up the powerful triple Volkswagen Golf GTI attack.
Killarney rookie runner-up Jason Coetzee is another young gun looking to build on a most impressive debut. He joins champion Michael van Rooyen in a second Toyota Gazoo Racing Corolla. And Campos may well find 2025 teammate Andrew Schofield’s FlySafair Chemical Logistics BMW 128ti a little more of a thorn in the side, considering Andy’s fine performance in the Killarney season opener. For the record, KC Ensor-Smith leads the early South African Touring Cars championship from Jason Coetzee, with Julian van der Watt and Andrew Schofield both in close attendance.
The all-Volkswagen SupaPolo SATC SupaCup too, poses an interesting prospect. It’s been a few seasons since the series raced at Red Star, which means that some drivers have never raced there, while others benefit intimate knowledge of the circuit from previous experience as much time spent testing there. Nathans Racing championship leader Jason Loosemore is one of the drivers who may be a little behind on his understanding of the complex circuit with several twisty bits separated by long straights.
Rookie rival and Astron Energy Polo Cup champion, Easy Drive Vehicle Plans driver Rory Atkinson conversely benefits many years of regional race winning experience at Red Star. Which could very well play into his hands this weekend. Judd Bertholdt is another lad with adequate Red Star mileage under his belt. His Union Power Energy machine arrives in Delmas third in the chase ahead of rookie AF Fans lass Tyler Robinson, Niko Zafiris, and Cape driver David Franco.
Campos Transport lad Nicholas Vostanis will be looking to turn his wretched luck around after showing great pace at Killarney. And brothers Rick and Paulo Loureiro are two more men who may surprise considering their Red Star regional racing experience, while Masters driver Jared Rossouw will be hoping for a little more competition from his own age group in Mpumalanga. Killarney double winner Loosemore only has a three point advantage over Atkinson after Rory took all the bonus points at Killarney, with Bertholdt and Robinson also ready to pounce.
Red Star Raceway always makes for a special motorsport outing with great facilities, catering and entertainment all conveniently close to Gauteng and just off exit 485 on the N12 Freeway. Expect the South African Touring Cars, the SATC SupaCup and the rest of the National Extreme Festival racing action to rock. See you at Red Star!
Issued on behalf of South African Touring Cars
Photography by: Abri de Bruin
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