Mini MAX Rookie De Wet Opens 2026 Northern Regions Campaign at Zwartkops

Luhan de Wet returns to regional competition this weekend as he lines up for the opening round of the 2026 MSA Northern Regions Rotax Kart Championships at Zwartkops Kart Raceway. The Louis Leipoldt Primary student heads into the new season with confidence, momentum and the backing of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Junior Academy.

The regional opener marks another important step in Luhan’s rookie Mini MAX campaign. Having transitioned into the highly competitive Mini MAX category this season, he has approached the challenge with calculated preparation, contesting regional rounds earlier in the year as structured build-up to the national South African Rotax MAX Challenge season.

That disciplined groundwork follows an impressive 2025 campaign that culminated in his maiden appearance at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain. Ahead of that international breakthrough, Luhan was officially appointed as an OMP Racing brand ambassador, a significant endorsement that aligned him with one of global karting’s most respected performance apparel manufacturers.

Again competing under the guidance of Leeroy Poulter, the mentor with whom he secured his national title, Luhan continues to develop within a high-performance structure. The Toyota Gazoo Racing Junior Academy environment provides technical, mental and strategic support as he adapts to the increased pace, tyre management demands and racecraft complexity of the class.

“This weekend is another big step for me,” said Luhan. “I want to thank Toyota Gazoo Racing Junior Academy for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to grow in Mini MAX. It means a lot to have their support. I’m also very grateful to OMP Racing for trusting me to represent and carry the brand name as an official ambassador. I’ll keep working hard to make them proud.”

Zwartkops presents its own technical challenges, a flowing layout that rewards precision through high-speed sections and punishes even minor errors in braking zones. Consistency across heats will be critical, particularly in a category where margins are often measured in hundredths of a second.

Track action begins on Friday with official practice sessions, allowing teams to finalise chassis setup and data benchmarks. Saturday’s programme features Qualifying followed by three race heats that will determine the opening championship standings.

With strong preparation behind him, an established support structure around him, and growing maturity in race execution, Luhan enters the 2026 Northern Regions season ready to make a decisive statement in Mini MAX.