Kwanda Mokoena is contesting his first ADAC GT Masters season in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2. In his rookie year with Liqui Moly Team Engstler, the 19-year-old South African is looking to establish himself in Europe together with team-mate Dylan Yip (MAC). One of Mokoena’s idols is his compatriot and current DTM driver Kelvin van der Linde, who won the ADAC GT Masters title twice in Audi GT3 cars, in 2014 and 2019.
“Both Kelvin van der Linde and his brother Sheldon are an inspiration to me,” says Mokoena. “Anyone involved in motorsport in South Africa knows them. They are idols for many racing drivers back home, and are extremely popular with my generation.” Mokoena gets to meet his role models on the high-profile DTM platform, most recently during the second round of the season at the Norisring: “It is great to see them both at the DTM events. We have a quick chat when we bump into each other,” says Mokoena.
His love of motorsport comes from his uncle, a former amateur driver from South Africa. “When I was at school, I was bitten by the motorsport bug thanks to my uncle. As a result, my father bought me a kart and I won a lot of races in South Africa. Last year, I finished first in the SA Endurance Championship, a GT series in my homeland. In the ADAC GT Masters, I am currently trying to learn a lot and to establish myself. The standard is very high in the championship. The field includes some of the best drivers in Europe. My goal is to challenge for victories next season,” says the ADAC GT Masters rookie, describing his career so far.
Between events, Mokoena, who lives in Kyalami, regularly visits his team in the Bavarian municipality of Wiggensbach. Liqui Moly Team Engstler is based just ten kilometres from Kempten. He also visits his family in South Africa and pursues his second great passion: photography. Seemingly always in a good mood, Mokoena draws a lot of strength from the support of his family. “My family came to watch me at the circuit at the season-opener in Hockenheim. My mother is actually always there. It is great to have such strong support. However, my parents are always more nervous than I am when the race gets underway,” says Mokoena.
Liqui Moly Team Engstler is taking advantage of the synergies between the two racing series in 2023, and is running an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2 in both the DTM and the ADAC GT Masters. As such, the two young ADAC GT Masters drivers benefit from the know-how of Luca Engstler, who starts in the DTM. “Luca plays a very big role in our team. He helps Dylan and me, particularly with the data analysis. Team manager Manuel Reuter also helps with his wealth of experience,” says Mokoena, giving an insight into the team set-up.
Round four of this season’s ADAC GT Masters takes place from 8th to 10th September at the Sachsenring.
