RUSTENBURG HERALD - ZWARTKOPS - Michael van Rooyen has clinched the 2025 South African Touring Car (SATC) Championship title, following a strong performance during the final round of the season at Zwartkops Raceway this past weekend.
The Rustenburg-based racer secured second-fastest in qualifying, followed by a second-place finish in Race 1 and a sixth-place finish in Race 2 - enough to comfortably seal the title.
Representing Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA), van Rooyen, also known as the Rustenburg Rocket, piloted a SATC-spec Toyota Corolla throughout the year, delivering consistent results across the seven-round national championship. The SATC is South Africa’s premier circuit racing category, featuring high-performance touring cars and a highly competitive grid. Events are held at top racetracks across the country, including Killarney, Aldo Scribante, East London Grand Prix Circuit, and Zwartkops Raceway.
The 2025 season saw drivers contesting two races per weekend across the seven rounds, making for 14 races in total. With points awarded for qualifying and both race finishes, consistency proved key - something van Rooyen delivered with his mix of pace, racecraft and composure.
TGRSA, the motorsport arm of Toyota South Africa Motors, fields entries across multiple local and international racing disciplines. From the Dakar-winning GR Hilux EVO in international rally-raid events to the SATC Toyota Corollas and the popular SupaCup SupaStarlet, the team is dedicated to developing South African driving talent and showcasing Toyota’s performance credentials.
Van Rooyen’s SATC triumph is a testament to that philosophy - and to a driver who’s proven himself a class act across the season. The win also adds another major title to his already impressive racing résumé.
