UZAIR Khan, a talented 15-year-old motorsport driver from Amanzimtoti, recently secured third place overall in Volkswagen (VW) Motorsport’s 2024 Rookie Cup, held at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria.

This was his first year in the series, and his podium finish is a testament to his dedication and skill. “Finishing in a podium position felt amazing as we worked really hard,” said Uzair.

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His love for racing began at around five years old and he followed in his dad’s and uncle’s footsteps as they both have a history in motorsport. “I began my karting journey at iDube Raceway in Pietermaritzburg, where I still race and have won regional and national titles,” he said.

His success in karting, combined with his growing confidence and skill, led him to step up to car racing this year.
Although Uzair is not old enough to hold a learners license to drive, he uses a simulator to train and prepare for race weekends.

“A typical race weekend includes practice on Thursdays, qualifying on Fridays, and the main races on Saturdays. My favourite track is Scribante in Port Elizabeth, which offers everything a racer could hope for—fast corners and long straights,” he said.

Uzair said adrenaline from high speeds and overtaking rivals drives his passion. “While crashing is a natural fear, my biggest worry is letting down my parents and team by not performing to the best of my ability. On the other hand, my proudest moments were winning the championship in karting and securing my first win in a car race,” he said.

Uzair draws inspiration from his racing idol, the late Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, and his karting helmet is a replica of Senna’s iconic design. Though he loves Formula 1, he aspires to enter the world of closed-cockpit racing.

Off the track the Grade 9 learner from Reddam House in Umhlanga balances racing with school sports, including cricket, hockey, and soccer. He is grateful to his parents for supporting his dreams and to his team for helping him reach the podium this season.

“I am now looking forward to the 2025 season, and aim to win the championship title,” said Uzair.

The VW Rookie Cup:
The Rookie Cup is a developmental opportunity that cements VW’s drive to develop young talent, ages 14 to 16. The academy trains its racing recruits in every aspect of racing in a real-world hands-on race day realm. The syllabus offers it all, from driver fitness to physical and mental preparation, teamwork, collaborating with the team, data analysis and with television and media training, covering every aspect of their future racing careers.

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