Red Star Reset: Champion Van Rooyen Looks to Rebuild Momentum

Michael van Rooyen, the defending South African Touring Cars champion, is back in action next weekend for Round 2 of the 2026 championship. After a tough start at Killarney International Raceway, he’s eager to bounce back.

Van Rooyen, who drives for Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, had a frustrating start to his title defence in Cape Town. Now, moving to Red Star Raceway gives him a chance to regroup and get back into the championship battle.

This weekend is also important for South African circuit racing because Red Star Raceway is back on the national calendar after almost four years. The Mpumalanga track hosts the National Extreme Festival’s second event of the season, bringing new excitement as the championship visits its second of four provinces in 2026.

For van Rooyen, Red Star Raceway feels like unfinished business. In the Global Touring Cars era, he struggled at this track and finished only one of two races during his last visit in 2022. That setback now motivates him as he heads into the weekend.

After missing out on important points at Killarney, van Rooyen is focused on having a strong and trouble-free weekend to boost his title hopes. Nicknamed the “Rustenburg Rocket,” he’s known for his consistency and skill, and he’ll be looking to turn speed into results on a track that requires both precision and adaptability.

“Red Star is a circuit that really tests you as a driver. There are a lot of technical sections, and it’s easy to lose time if you’re not completely dialled in. It brings its own set of challenges, but I’m confident in the work the team has done. We know what we need from the car, and I believe we’ll have a strong package to fight at the front this weekend,” said van Rooyen.

As the championship starts to take shape, Round 2 at Red Star Raceway could be a turning point in van Rooyen’s title defence and the perfect chance for him to set the record straight.

The action gets underway next Friday with three practice sessions ahead of an early Saturday qualifying to set the grid for the opening race later that day. A second race will feature an inverted grid, with the times from both races combined to determine the day's overall winner.