What Volkswagen Rookie Cup Preview
Where Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria
When Saturday 23 May 2026
Community South Africa National
Hill ahead but Rookie Cup rivals want his scalp
Championship leader Luke Hill will be looking to return to the top step of the podium when the 2026 Volkswagen Rookie Cup returns to its traditional Extreme Festival home after joining the South African Endurance Series for a home race at Aldo Scribante. But will pole man last time out, Jack Moore, the last race winner Sebastian Dias, Keyaan Dwomoh, the quick but troubled Sebastian Venkov, Anwar April and Max Corbett allow that at Zwartkops this weekend?
Luke Hill hit the ground running by winning the first three races on the trot, but Sebastian Dias stemmed the tide by winning the second Aldo Scribante race to move to second in the chase, 14 points behind Hill in his PMD Transport machine. Consistent Adhive rookie Keyaan Dwomoh has finished fourth in each of the four races so far to claim third in the title chase.
Dias and Dwomoh both benefited fourth lad Jack Moore failing to score after rolling out of Aldo Scribante’s opening race. The Volkswagen crew worked wonders to have Jack’s Puma Fleet Dynamics Vivo repaired for race 2 to limit his championship damage, but rest assured, Moore will want to make up for that lost ground at Zwartkops.
Sebastian Venkov is another rookie keen to shake of his fair share of bad luck, penalties and disappointments in his 23 Degrees Vivo. Young Anwar April is also keen to impress, while Century Racing lad Max Corbett is rapidly getting to grips with what’s needed to be a race driver thanks to the Volkswagen Rookie Cup’s academy style championship.
“The 2026’s Volkswagen Rookie Cup has already had it all, so let’s see what Zwartkops dishes up,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe concludes. “Luke has emerged as the rookie to beat, while Sebastian Dias has also to win a race and Keyaan has shown great consistency. Sebastian Venkov has the speed to win if he has a clean run on the day.”
“The others have had a few tough breaks, but that’s just racing and it is also something they’re also all here to learn. We expect more of the same at Zwartkops on Saturday, so best of luck to all our Volkswagen Rookies this weekend.”
A Volkswagen Motorsport initiative open to drivers between 14 and 16 years old holding a valid MSA licence, the Rookie Cup Academy transitions drivers from karting or similar to the main circuit. Volkswagen factory drivers and crew train the recruits in every racing facet. The 2026 Rookie champion will have the choice of a drive in either the Astron Energy Polo Cup, or Volkswagen-powered MSA4 in 2027. Young drivers interested in joining the Rookie Cup should email driving@vwsa.co.za with the subject line ‘Ref: VW Rookie Cup. Volkswagen’s Rookie Cup Team will be in touch.
*Volkswagen Motorsport salutes its Rookie Cup racing partners, Dunlop Tyres, Astron Energy, Sparco and Volkswagen Advanced Driving.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
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