Summarize

The 2026 Volkswagen Rookie Cup certainly had it all as it joined the South African Endurance Series for a home race at Aldo Scribante over the weekend. In a day to remember, three different drivers occupied pole position and won the races, with action, incidents, and accidents throughout as the young guns kept the enthusiastic crowd on its feet.

The weekend started with local hero and second in the Volkswagen Rookie Cup chase, St Francis Bay lad Jack Moore stamping home ground advantage with pole position aboard his Puma Fleet Dynamics Vivo. Second, a tenth of a second behind, leader Luke Hill’s Steelform car lined up on the front row ahead of Sebastians Dias’ PMD Transport machine and namesake Venkov, Adhive driver Kian Dwomoh, Anwar April, and Century Racing’s Max Corbett.

The opening heat did not last too long. Jack Moore got away well but Luke Hill managed to get alongside into turn 2 before Moore slipped partially off track in the short straight to turn 3. Then they touched, which somehow sent Moore into a frightening series of rolls. The race was immediately red flagged and the crowd sighed in relief as Jack emerged unharmed from the steaming wreck.

Clearly the result of an unfortunate racing incident, Luke Hill made no mistakes at the restart as he made off to leave Sebastian to fend namesake Venkov, Dias and Kian Dwomoh off for a very close fought second. Behind them, Anwar April passed Max Corbett for sixth. Back in the pits meantime, the Volkswagen crew worked flat out against the clock to repair Moore’s rolled car while Jack contemplated how to make up for his zero score in the heat.

The team worked wonders to get Moore’s car raceworthy for race 2 and Jack lined up at the back. Sebastian Dias made best at the start to lead Luke Hill, a lightning starting Jack Moore and Kian Dwomoh. But there was more drama when Sebastian Venkov and Max Corbett made contact.

That sent Corbett into a wild spin while Venkov took a tour of the outfield too. A splendid battle ensued up front with Dias, Hill, and Moore split by under a second at the flag, Dwomoh, Anwar April and Venkov followed after Corbett stopped as a result of his earlier combat. Overall, Luke Hill added to his trophy collection ahead of maiden race winner Dias, Dwomoh, April, Venkov, Corbett and pole man Moore after a splendid day at the races.

“Saturday’s Volkswagen Rookie Cup certainly had it all,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe concluded. “One or two of the lads had tough breaks, but that’s just racing and it is also something they are also here to learn. As much as it is crucial to never give up, so hats off to pole man Jack, race winners Luke and Seb, the rest of the drivers and the entire Volkswagen Motorsport team on a day to remember.” 

The Volkswagen Rookie Cup returns to its regular home as part of the National Extreme Festival roadshow at the Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 23 May. A Volkswagen Motorsport initiative is open to drivers between 14 and 16 years old holding a valid MSA licence, the Rookie Cup Academy transitions incumbents from karting or similar to the main circuit. 

Volkswagen Motorsport factory drivers and crew train recruits in every racing facet from racecraft and technique through physical and mental preparation, teamwork and data analysis to television, and the media. 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.