Kyalami motorsport star boy, Kwanda Mokoena continues to shine in Germany
Mokoena said that the ADAC GT Masters field is growing and full of seasoned GT3 and DTM veterans
Kyalami youngster Kwanda Mokoena continues to shine in Germany.
Mokoena began karting at the age of seven in 2011.
Though he was slightly later than some of his peers, he quickly got the hang of things and started winning races.
In 2012 he started racing in regional and national championships and scored two national championship podiums in the 2013 season.
When his karting skills improved, he moved into tin-top racing.
This opened doors of opportunities for him as he was offered the opportunity to race a GT4 Audi R8 in the SA Endurance Series.
Mokoena continued his rookie German ADAC GT Masters season with another strong showing aboard the Liqui Moly Team Engstler Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO Two he shared with Dylan Yip at the Nürburgring Truck Prix third round on July 15-16.
Yip qualified 14th in the wet session for the July 16 opening race and then drove the first stint of the opening race on the dry track before Mokoena took the wheel at mid-distance to bring it home 13th.
It was much the same in race two as Mokoena qualified and drove first, albeit the duo had to fight hard for position in a grandstand race to the finish.
“Another race weekend, another new racetrack,” Mokoena beamed after his rookie visit to the Nürburgring.
“The learning curve is steep, but I am loving it! Dylan and I had another solid weekend and worked hard this time.“
Mokoena said that the ADAC GT Masters field is growing and full of seasoned GT3 and DTM veterans.
“We are proud of what we have achieved as two young rookies in the hornet’s nest. We however have an excellent team behind us in Engstler and we are learning so much as we go. It is our rookie season and so far, everything is going according to plan,” he explained.
“So I must extend my special thanks to my backers for making this incredible racing dream come true. I must also thank my family and friends for always having my back, and my fans back home for all the support. You cannot imagine how great that is for us.”
The ADAC GT Masters now takes a summer break before returning for round four at the Sachsenring on the weekend of September 9 and 10.
“I am looking forward to the break and to getting back home,” said Mokoena. “But I am even more looking forward to getting back to Germany for the rest of the season. Can’t wait!”
The 19-year-old is already noted as a karting prodigy, having won a double Northern Regions primary school Maxterino and Mini Rok karting championship.
Some of his achievements include the Cadet Karting Northern Regions, the Maxterino karting SA National & Northern Regions championship, and the Volkswagen Polo Cup to name a few.
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