TGR Junior Academy Eyes Strong Finish to Northern Regions Rotax Season

Kent Swartz (Senior MAX)

As the curtain falls on the 2025 Northern Regions Rotax Karting Championship, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Junior Academy (TGRJA) prepares for an exciting finale at Zwartkops Kart Raceway this Saturday, marking the sixth and final round of an action-packed regional season. For the academy, this event represents not only the end of another successful regional campaign but also a key milestone in the continued development of South Africa’s and Namibia's next generation of motorsport stars.

In Mini MAX, Namibian twins Nande and Mandume Kaiyamo conclude their debut season in the colours of TGR. While the championship title is out of reach, both drivers have made tremendous progress throughout the year. The season has been a learning curve, with Nande showing a consistent pace and Mandume demonstrating resilience in overcoming early setbacks. Their adaptation to South African competition underscores the academy's mission to develop international talent through structured mentorship and exposure to one of the most competitive karting scenes on the continent.

In Junior MAX, all eyes will be on Tshepang Shisinwana, who remains firmly in the title hunt. With just 14 points separating the top three in the championship, Shisinwana enters the final round as one of the favourites. His pace and consistency have been standout features of the season, while teammate Emma-Rose Dowling has continued to impress despite missing several rounds due to international racing commitments. Her focus this weekend will be on finishing the season strongly and carrying that momentum into her European program.

The Senior MAX class will see Kent Swartz aiming to seal the regional championship title after a superb season marked by victories and consistency. Stablemate Georgia Lenaerts has also shown strong form throughout the campaign and now has her sights set on ending the season with a top-three finish in the overall standings, a reflection of her growing maturity and confidence behind the wheel.

Reflecting on the year, TGRJA Team Principal Leeroy Poulter emphasized both the competitiveness of the Northern Regions Championship and the value it provides as a development platform:

“The Northern Regions Rotax Kart Championship is without a doubt the most competitive regional series in South Africa. It’s usually just short of a national field every weekend, making it an excellent proving ground for young drivers. For us at TGRJA, this championship plays a crucial role in identifying and developing future champions. The progress our drivers have shown, both on and off the track, highlights the success of the academy’s structured approach.”

As the academy heads into the weekend, the focus remains on strong finishes across all classes and building on the solid foundation laid throughout 2025. The lessons learned at the regional level will continue to shape the academy's ambitions for the national and international stages ahead.

The action gets underway on Saturday with a warmup followed by qualifying before three race heats conclude the season.