What 9 Hour Endurance Race Preview
Where Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit
When Saturday 16 December 2023
Community South Africa National
Mogotsi & Visser join Class D champion elect Rowe at Kyalami
Volkswagen Motorsport heads to the fifth and final round looking to clinch the Touring Car Class D of the 2023 MSA South African Endurance Series. The team has entered a new driver line-up for the Kyalami 9 Hour race Saturday 16 December.
While Class D championship leader Daniel Rowe continues aboard the Volkswagen Motorsport SupaPolo, he will be joined by 2023 SupaCup sprint championship runner-up and long-time Volkswagen Motorsport teammate Jonathan Mogotsi, and new team driver, Charl Visser. Visser won his factory drive by taking the 2023 CompCare Polo Cup championship.
“It’s great to have Jonathan back in the car with me and I look forward to driving alongside Charl for the first time,” Daniel Rowe admitted. “Special thanks to the team for safely accommodating my tall frame in the same seat as my regular height teammates, so we can put our best foot forward at Kyalami. We’ve had a very good run so far, with three wins and a close second in the four races, but the 9 Hour is a different challenge and we must finish to be sure of the title, hopefully in front!”
“I am delighted to step back into the Volkswagen Motorsport Endurance SupaPolo for the first time at the Kyalami 9 Hour,” Jonathan Mogotsi smiled. “It’s a different approach to my regular sprint car, but I look forward to making a difference and to help Daniel bring the South African Class D Endurance championship home for the ultimate team victory!”
2023 CompCare Polo Cup and multiple SA karting champion Charl Visser is no stranger to racing a SupaPolo in endurance races. “I have competed in a few long-distance races in SupaPolos this year, so it’s not a major step, but I am immensely proud to race the Volkswagen Motorsport car for the first time as a factory driver this weekend,” Charl admitted. “This is the culmination of a life-long dream!”
“Daniel Rowe has driven all four races so far this year, with Keagan Masters and Graeme Nathan sharing out the co-driver roles,” Head of Volkswagen Motorsport Mike Rowe points out. “We however welcome our SupaCup runner-up Jonathan Mogotsi and new team driver, Charl Visser, who earned his drive by winning the 2023 CompCare Polo Cup championship to the fold and look forward to a great finale at the epic Kyalami 9 Hour this weekend.
“While we arrive at Kyalami with a comfortable Class D advantage, the 9 Hour is a double points race and we have a far bigger field of class rivals than normal to deal with this weekend, which could bring our main title rivals back into play. Our title competitors also drop a zero score after Kyalami, while we must drop at least 29 points as things stand. “So let’s just say we have one hand on the title and it’s all to play for at Kyalami!”
Volkswagen Motorsport thanks its partners CompCare Medical Scheme, Dunlop, Ferodo, Motul and VW Genuine Parts.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
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