Summarize

The 2026 Volkswagen Rookie Cup continued to impress as three different drivers claimed pole position and the two race wins at Zwartkops Raceway’s third round Extreme Festival in Pretoria over the weekend. Sebastian Venkov topped Fridays qualifying before Jack Moore and Sebastian Dias shared out Saturday’s race wins.

Sebastian Venkov set the qualifying cat among the pigeons when he turned his recent great pace into a fine pole position aboard his 23 Degrees Vivo by just three-hundredths of a second from Jack Moore Puma Fleet Dynamics version. 

Championship leader Luke Hill’s Steelform car lined up third ahead of his closest title rival, Sebastian Dias PMD Transport entry with Adhive lad Keyaan Dwomoh and Max Corbett’s Century Vivo next up, while Volkswagen Motorsport instructor Matt Shorter joined the grid.

Jack Moore however made the best start as he jumped pole man Sebastian Venkov and made off to a one second win over Sebastian Dias, Venkov and Luke Hill. Keyaan Dwomoh and Max Corbett entertained in their tight struggle for fifth with Matt Shorter keeping a close eye on proceedings.

Sebastian Dias then took his turn to lead from lights to flag but he had to work for it as Sebastian Venkov and Luke Hill kept him honest all the way en route to the second race win with just eight tenths of a second separating the trio. Further back, Max Corbett was in fighting form as he held Jack Moore and Keyaan Dwomoh off for third. 

Sebastian Dias emerged as overall winner from the day from Sebastian Venkov, who added both fastest laps of the day to his pole position as Luke Hill completed the podium. Jack Moore ended fourth from Max Corbett and Keyaan Dwomoh.

“The 2026 Volkswagen Rookies once again performed way beyond their young age at Zwartkops this weekend,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe concluded. “It gives us immense pleasure to watch these young drivers develop out of promising young karters into the competent and qualified young racers ready to write the future of South African motorsport.”