Ryan Naicker's rise from go-karts to international racing

At just 18 years old, Ryan Naicker is gearing up to make his mark in the world of motorsport, having recently competed at renowned tracks like the Dubai and Abu Dhabi circuits.

Naicker started the new year competing in his first international races, the 6H of Abu Dhabi in the 992 Porsche class, where his team qualified first in Pro/Am, and third overall.

They finished fifth in the race after competing against some of the best in the world. Last week he took part in the 24H Dubai.

The 24H Dubai endurance race has become a mainstay on the international motorsport calendar and is the second largest 24H race grid in the world, with entries from all over the world.

The line-up consists of over 70 Touring and GT cars, including big name marques such as Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes and Audi.

With a passion for racing ignited at the tender age of 14, Naicker embarked on his journey in a second-hand go-kart, which set the stage for his recent international debut.

"We weren’t equipped with the best gear, but we tried our best, and we saw improvement every lap,” he recalled.

The teen, who has always loved cars, having grown up around his dad’s drag racing workshop, his love for racing began in 2019 when he witnessed the SRO Intercontinental GT3 race at Kyalami.

But despite his enthusiasm, financial constraints initially kept him from pursuing his racing dreams.

"I only spent a year in karts and six months racing in regional events, achieving solid results from the start in 2022. I then transitioned in 2023 to GR-Yaris Cup and learnt a lot of lessons for my first year of main circuit racing and first full year ever of racing. I didn’t perform super well, and I had two big crashes but I kept pushing with my family’s support," he said.

Naicker's racing experiences have included high-octane performances in cars such as the GR Yaris Cup, GR86 Cup SA, and BMW Race Series, along with impressive machines like the Audi R8 GT4 and GT3, and the Porsche 992 Cup car in international endurance events.

Naicker competes with different teams depending on the series and the car he's driving.

The atmosphere of racing for him is electric.

"Locally, the energy is raw and familiar, with passionate crowds and tracks that shaped my early racing journey. Internationally, everything feels bigger and more intense. But in both settings, the thrill is the same. The adrenaline when the lights go out, the fight for every tenth of a second, and the feeling of being completely alive behind the wheel," he said.

He said endurance racing does come with risks, but added that he feels safe because of the advanced sport’s safety standards.

"The cars are incredibly well built, my gear is top level, and every event has strict checks, trained medical teams, and clear protocols. I’ve had a few big crashes, and walking away from them showed me just how far racing safety has come. Knowing that gives me and my family real peace of mind and lets me focus on doing what I love," he said.

His focus last year was on his academics in matric and fitted racing wherever possible.

However, in May, a week before his June matric exams his only sister passed away.

"It was devastating and I thought of stopping racing, but my dad and family still made a plan to support my racing dreams despite such hardship," said Naicker, who parents hail from Umkomaas on the south coast.

Naicker completed his matric at Crawford College Sandton and achieved six distinctions.

With plans to pursue a Data Science degree while racing, he remains optimistic about his future.

"I’m excited for the rest of 2026 as I work to build my international racing career and prove that South Africa has worldclass talent. My story is only beginning. It’s a reflection of resilience, the South African spirit, and using hardship as fuel to keep moving forward.

"I hope my journey inspires even one person to believe that they can overcome difficulties and achieve more than they imagined. Never stop believing," said Naicker.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE