At just 14 years old, Gqeberha-born karting driver Aashay Nagura is continuing to build his presence in international motorsport, recently competing in the Champions of the Future Academy series in the United Kingdom.
Racing against some of the world’s most promising young drivers, Aashay faced a steep learning curve: with only one day to familiarise himself with the circuit. Despite this, he quickly found pace, finishing within the top five times during Friday’s practice sessions.
On Saturday, he qualified 6th for both Heat 1 and Heat 2, positioning himself well for the finals. However, a 10-second penalty in the final impacted his result, placing him 16th overall for the day.
Sunday saw a determined comeback, with Aashay finishing 13th overall after qualifying in 13th: a performance that highlighted both his resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.
Reflecting on the weekend, Aashay described the event as challenging but invaluable in his development as a driver.
He will return to the UK from 15–17 May to compete at the PFI Kart Circuit, one of the most competitive rounds in the series. Ahead of that, he will be testing at Red Star Raceway in Gauteng from 15–17 April as part of his ongoing preparation.
A journey that started with a PlayStation
Aashay’s passion for racing began behind a screen, playing racing games on his PlayStation before turning that passion into reality through determination and community support. After raising funds through a raffle, he was able to purchase his first kart and begin racing at age nine.
Now homeschooled to support his demanding schedule, Aashay trains like a professional athlete — balancing gym sessions, simulator work, and track time daily.
Impressive early results
Aashay’s growing list of achievements includes:
- Winner – 2024 Port Elizabeth Mini ROK National Event
- 3rd Overall – 2024 IAME International Final, Italy
- 3rd Overall – 2025 Northern Regional ROK Series (OKJ Rookie Season)
- 5th Overall – 2025 ROK Cup South African Nationals (OKJ), despite missing the opening round
Earlier this year, he also travelled to Sweden for specialised driver training on ice, part of his long-term goal of transitioning into circuit racing.
A future star in the making
“Every race is a chance to learn and improve. My dream is to race professionally and represent South Africa at the highest level,” says Aashay.
Currently competing without major commercial sponsorship, Aashay’s journey presents a unique opportunity for brands to support a rising South African talent as he builds toward a professional racing career.
With determination, discipline, and growing international experience, Aashay Nagura is a young racer firmly on the rise.
Follow Aashay Nagura:
Instagram: @aashaynagura_racing
Facebook: Aashay Nagura Racing
TikTok: @aashaynagura
