JOHANNESBURG – South African Touring Cars SupaCup champion Jonathan Mogotsi will follow in the footsteps of Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen by earning his Grade A “Ring Licence” to compete in the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours race in May.
The Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa veteran will join the Max Kruse Racing team, which runs Golf 8 TCRs supported by Volkswagen AG.
Mogotsi must first qualify through the NLS1 and NLS2 4 Hour races at the German circuit in March, before taking his place in Car 2 of the team’s three-car lineup for the main event.
“I am absolutely delighted to confirm that we will be taking my next step in my incredible ten-year Volkswagen Motorsport journey when I qualify for, and race in, the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours,” Mogotsi confirmed.
“Like the rest of this incredible trip, it’s a dream come true and I cannot thank Mike Rowe and the Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa team more.”
Head of Volkswagen Motorsport Mike Rowe explained that the opportunity arose after local racing plans had been altered.
“We have realigned our plans this year, which left Jonathan with nowhere to race locally,” Rowe said.
“So, we took it to the next level! It’s one of our most exciting projects in years and we cannot wait to see it coming to life.”
From gaming to racing glory
Mogotsi’s journey to the Nürburgring represents the latest chapter in a remarkable motorsport story that began with online racing success.
The Johannesburg business analyst initially honed his racecraft through gaming, winning several online racing titles and narrowly missing out on an international competition that would have led to world GT3 races.
His break came through the 2016 Volkswagen Driver Search, where he excelled during the intensive three-month programme.
The track shootout victory earned him the prestigious 2017 Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup drive, launching his professional racing career.
Championship success
Mogotsi’s debut season proved challenging in South Africa’s most competitive young driver championship, but he secured his maiden win at Volkswagen’s home track, Aldo Scribante, finishing ninth overall. He improved to third in the 2018 Polo Cup championship, highlighted by a double victory from pole position at East London.
After racing in the turbo-era Polo Cup in 2019, Mogotsi moved to the SupaCup category, finishing third in lockdown-affected 2020. His first SupaCup victory came at Aldo Scribante in 2021, leading to a close second-place championship finish.
Following a brief stint in Global Touring Cars – cut short when the factory Volkswagens were destroyed in a tragic accident – Mogotsi returned to SupaCup competition. He claimed the 2024 South African National SATC SupaCup title with five race wins, before adding five more victories in 2025 on his way to second place.
Beyond circuit racing, Mogotsi has established himself as a leading hill climber with multiple class victories driving SupaPolos at events including the Knysna Simola climb.
Looking ahead
This year, Mogotsi will continue his hill climbing activities at Simola, Zwartkops Top of the Hill, and the Cape Town Speed Festival. He is also scheduled for guest drives in the new South African-made Polo Cup Germany series.
Volkswagen Motorsport will soon announce its remaining 2026 plans, including the 30th anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup, the Volkswagen Rookie Cup, and continued involvement in SATC SupaCup alongside hill climbing and international programmes.
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