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Victory was doubly sweet for young Kwanda Mokoena and his famous uncle Tschops Sipuka at their hometown East London Grand Prix Circuit on Friday and Saturday. The duo sped to spectacular victories in both, tough dawn SA Endurance races in their Amandla Coal MJR Audi R8 LMS GT4. Multiple former karting champion Mokoena and multiple former SA champion Sipuka fended off some major opposition en route to two historic race wins.

“We had a perfect endurance weekend in the double East London 4-hour races,” Kwanda explained. “Both races started before dawn and raced into the daylight with much of it in the wet. “On Friday, we were third on the grid and moved into second when Jeffrey Kruger and Riaan Botma’s Ligier hit trouble early on. We then followed Henk and Hein Lategan’s Porsche for a few hours and moved ahead at three-quarter distance. “We held on to win by 40 seconds after four hours and 140 laps  of racing.

“It was a great weekend for me as I became the youngest ever SA Endurance race winner and it was an honour and a privilege to race with my famous uncle Tschops. “His experience certainly shone through and with Marius Jackson and the MJR team’s clockwork pitstops, we were able to gain the lead and hold on to an historic victory in what were often very trying conditions. “Thanks so much to my uncle Tschops, Marius and the team and parents and my sponsor’s for making this incredible dream come true!”

The second race was just as exciting. “We kept a watching brief while the Ligier and the Porsche diced early on and once again waited it out until late in the race to move ahead in the last quarter. “From there, we held on to a close 15 second victory over Henk and Hein in the end. “To have beaten multiple SA rally raid champion and Dakar star Henk and his SA Touring Car star dad Hein, and double Polo Cup champion Jeffrey and Riaan, is a feather in our caps and a major step towards my dream of becoming an international GT race driver.”

“I am most impressed with my nephew Kwanda’s ability both in and out of the race car,” Thschops Sipuka concluded. “We raced hard and flat out for eight hours and through all conditions to take two very close wins against some superstar drivers. “Kwanda kept his resolve throughout to ensure us a great victory. “I am excited for his future and I am delighted to be able to race and share a car with Kwanda.”