Experience Toyota Kart Racing with Gazoo Racing Junior Academy

Eyes set on the main circuit

KC (short for Klayden Cole) Ensor-Smith has just turned 15 and has been racing for most of his life. 

‘I started with motocross at the age of four,’ he explains. ‘My parents took me to indoor karting when I was five and pleaded that they let me drive. With cushions to help me reach the pedals, I took off and immediately broke the lap record!’ 

He was later introduced to the staff at Rand Kart Club and hasn’t looked back since, citing being chosen for the GR Junior Academy as a dream come true. ‘The expertise, the focus and the development they have invested in me has been amazing. They have built on my strengths and ironed out my flaws. With Toyota GR by my side and the guidance of Leeroy, we have achieved three South African titles in two years, and in November we will attend my second world final.’ 

KC’s goal is to take racing to the main circuit (‘maybe in a GTC’) and possibly explore the world of rally. 

‘I want to be the best African driver!’

Until the age of six, Reagile ‘Spice’ Mailula (now 12) had never been interested in racing, and had never followed motorsport and didn’t know anything about it. But then he got invited to a friend’s sixth birthday party at an indoor go-karting circuit and stunned everyone there with his skill. 

A family friend invited Reagile to the Vereeniging Kart Circuit, lent him his younger son’s kart and, instantly, a winning driver was born. 

‘In 2021, I became the Micro Max Class National Championships winner and that led me to being chosen for the first GR Junior Academy in 2022,’ he explains, adding that it did not come without challenges. ‘Throughout my karting journey, my parents were the ones managing and training me. Getting into a team and trying to get used to how things are done as a group was a bit of a difficulty for me. I had to learn that change does not come easily, and I had to give both the team and myself a chance to know and understand each other.’ 

He lists his highlights of 2023 as being chosen as the driver of the day at the KZN National and breaking the Zwartkops track record during one of the South African Rotax MAX Challenges. 

His dream? ‘Continuous support from the Academy so I can become the best African driver produced from our country!’ 

A need for speed

‘I started karting in 2021 after watching my younger brother race,’ says Emma Rose Dowling, 12, whose passion for speed and competition led her to the track. ‘I have always been a very dedicated, sporty daredevil. I have a drive for speed and adrenaline and a competitive nature, so karting ticked all the boxes!’ 

Emma’s journey to karting excellence is intertwined with her membership in the GR Junior Academy. ‘I feel confident and privileged to be part of such an amazing team,’ she acknowledges. ‘Leeroy and the Toyota team provide the best in karting, both mechanically and mentally, and for that, I am truly grateful.’  

Facing the challenge of being the only girl on the team, Emma sees it as an opportunity. ‘Toyota has inspired many young ladies like myself to start racing in this male-dominated sport,’ she notes. In her debut season in the Mini Max Rotax series, Emma achieved a remarkable sixth place overall out of 35 registered drivers, competing in one of the series’ toughest classes. Her journey through eight races across the country, in varying weather conditions, is testament to her resilience. Her career highlight came when she won ‘Driver of the Day’ at the 2022 African Open, securing a third-place finish overall. 

Emma values teamwork, saying, ‘Being part of a team means sharing our knowledge, our challenges and our success.’ Her goals include inspiring other girls by winning a championship in the Rotax series, earning a ticket to compete internationally and ultimately becoming a professional driver.