Johannesburg, 5 February 2026 – South African motorsport fans have a new reason to celebrate as Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa announces that 2024 SupaCup champion Jonathan Mogotsi will take his racing journey to the legendary Nürburgring 24-Hour in Germany. The Johannesburg-born driver will qualify through the NLS1 and NLS2 4-Hour races before stepping into the wheel of a Max Kruse Racing Volkswagen Golf 8 TCR for the iconic endurance race in May.
Mogotsi, a former Volkswagen Driver Search winner and a ten-year veteran of the brand’s motorsport family, will be part of the Max Kruse Racing team, which fields a trio of Golf TCRs supported by Volkswagen AG. Mogotsi has been allocated to Car 2 for the 24-Hour race.
“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-Hour,” Mogotsi said. “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 enough.”
Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa, explained the rationale behind the move: “We have realigned our plans this year, which left Jonathan with nowhere to race locally. So, we took it to the next level! Jonathan will race the two NLS 4-Hour events to qualify for the big race and then compete in the Nürburgring 24-Hour in May. It’s one of our most exciting projects in years, and we cannot wait to see it come to life.”
Mogotsi has earned widespread respect as one of South Africa’s top racing talents, thanks to his consistent performances and loyalty to Volkswagen. His motorsport journey began in 2016 when he applied for the Volkswagen Driver Search, having already honed his racing skills in online competitions and near-misses at international GT3 events.
After impressing in the intensive three-month Driver Search programme, Mogotsi secured the 2017 Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup drive, marking the beginning of a stellar rise in South African racing. From a maiden victory at Aldo Scribante to double wins in East London, Jonathan quickly established himself as a formidable competitor.
The transition to the SupaCup saw Mogotsi maintain his momentum, achieving podium finishes, multiple race wins, and ultimately claiming the South African National SATC SupaCup title in 2024. His record includes five wins in 2025, alongside a reputation as a leading hill climber with victories at the Knysna Simola climb, Zwartkops Top of the Hill, and the Cape Town Speed Festival.
This year, in addition to his Nürburgring 24-Hour campaign, Mogotsi is set for guest drives in the newly established South African Polo Cup Germany, while continuing to contest South African hill climbs and national races. Volkswagen Motorsport will also confirm its full 2026 programme, including the 30th Anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup, Volkswagen Rookie Cup, and SATC SupaCup involvement.
For Mogotsi, the Nürburgring 24-Hour is more than just another race—it is the next chapter in a Volkswagen fairytale that began a decade ago and continues to inspire South African motorsport fans around the world.
