Two Grade 11 students from Centennial Schools showcased their growing motorsport talent when they competed in national racing competitions linked to the 2026 Astron Energy Polo Cup.

16-year-olds Keegan Nathan and Mauro Da Luz are among the youngest drivers making an impact in competitive circuit racing, gaining valuable experience against seasoned competitors.

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For Mauro, round 2 at Red Star Raceway proved to be a demanding learning curve.

“It was mainly because I’m still adapting to the new car. It’s only my second race in the category. The track is long and quite technical, so there are a lot of places where you can either gain or lose time.”

He said tyre management and consistency were key challenges on the day.

“A lap at Red Star is much longer than somewhere like Zwartkops, so you can’t just push flat out from the start. You have to be smart with how you drive the first part of the lap to make sure you still have grip towards the end, which is something different to what most drivers are used to.”

He said the biggest thing he learned this weekend was patience. In race 1, he went for an ambitious move around the outside at turn 1 for third position.

“It almost worked, but in the end, it cost me the position and nearly another one as well. It was a good lesson in knowing when to push and when to be more calculated for the overall result.”

Meanwhile, Keegan reflected on his own experience adapting to a new racing category.

“I race in VW challenge, which is a different series to the Astron energy polo cup. I have not participated in round two yet, but the challenges I had to face, and what I learnt in round one, was how the car handles.

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“This year, I am racing in a different car compared to last year in 111 sports and saloons, and because the series I am in now has a comprehensive set of specifications, I had to race against competitors that have more experience in these cars than I currently have.”

Despite the challenges, both drivers remain driven by their passion for the sport. “What keeps me motivated is my drive to win and to be the best I can be,” said Mauro.

“I’m always trying to improve and take the next step forward. My faith is also a big part of my journey. I want to show that with belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can push yourself to achieve your goals, not just in racing. but in life as well.”

Keegan said what he loves about racing is the absolute thrill of speed, and hunting for every millisecond.

“Having another car next to you and trying to constantly try and outsmart your opponent. This is what I love about racing. What keeps me motivated is that I am very competitive and want to win and I always want to strive to do better.”

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