He was racing before he could reach the pedals, now Jonathan Vilaca is steering South Africa’s premier Time Attack series. Here’s how one lad turned childhood dreams into motorsport reality.
At just six years old, Jonathan ‘Jono’ Vilaca was gifted his first motorbike. A year later, he was on the track in a go-kart, unknowingly laying the foundations for a future that would blend speed, science, and serious ambition.
Today, Jono is the owner and founder of Vilaca Racing, South Africa’s leading Time Attack series and one of the most exciting platforms in the local motorsport scene.
But his story isn’t just about horsepower – it’s about a deep-rooted love for motorsport that started in the most humble of ways.
A childhood fueled by petrol and passion
Growing up in a motorsport-obsessed household, Jono didn’t have to look far for inspiration.
‘My dad has always been a lover of motorsport,’ he says. ‘He got me my first go-kart when I was seven. It came from a run-down workshop. We went to check if I’d even fit in it.’
Though the kart was ready, the rules weren’t. At the time, Jono was too young to officially compete in the class for his kart. So instead, he and his dad spent a year practising at Vereeniging Kart Circuit, refining his skills and bonding as father and son.
‘We’d load the go-kart and fuel into my dad’s station wagon and head to the track,’ he recalls. ‘Getting picked up from school on a Friday with my kart on the trailer, knowing we were off to race-that was the best feeling.’
It’s clear that for Jono, motorsport was never just a hobby. It was a way of life.
The early wins and big break
By the age of eight, Jono was racing competitively and winning. His raw talent quickly earned him multiple South African karting championships and full MSA Motorsport colours, placing him among the country’s top young talents. Then came the call every young racer dreams of; Red Bull was interested.
‘At 11, I became a Red Bull athlete,’ he says, still sounding slightly amazed. With his record of wins and national recognition, Jono was exactly what Red Bull was looking for. By 15, he was offered the chance to move to the USA and race full-time. But reality and responsibility stepped in.
‘It was a tough decision, but we chose for me to stay and finish school,’ he says. ‘Had I left and things didn’t work out, I would’ve had no matric. It was a risk we weren’t willing to take.’
Engineering a new path
While Jono had always chased the dream of Formula 1, life had other plans. As he progressed through high school at Marais Viljoen, it became clear he had a technical touch. ‘I was always good with my hands. I did subjects like technical drawing and fitting-and-turning. It sort of came naturally.’
After matric, Jono pursued a degree in mechanical engineering. ‘I think racing changed the way I approached engineering,’ he says. ‘Both require you to make crucial decisions quickly. There are no shortcuts – just hard work.’
And that blend of hands-on experience and academic knowledge would soon prove powerful through the birth of Vilaca Racing.
The birth of Vilaca Racing
Back in 2018, Jono took a leap and launched Vilaca Racing. What began as a small-scale passion project to support his own time on the track soon grew into something much more impactful.
‘I wasn’t trying to build a business,’ he reflects. ‘But I started noticing flaws in the market-parts that weren’t up to standard. So, I began designing high-performance components that simply didn’t exist locally.’
It wasn’t long before fellow racers caught on. With noticeable improvements in performance, word about Vilaca Racing spread quickly. The brand started gaining traction, known for its practical innovation and quality engineering. Still, it wasn’t until the post-Covid period that the company’s direction shifted in an exciting new way.
Once lockdown restrictions eased, Jono decided to organise a small Time Attack event-an experiment that quickly turned into a phenomenon. ‘We were blown away,’ he recalls. ‘The buzz, the turnout, the enthusiasm-it was clear people were hungry for this kind of motorsport.’
Time Attack, for those unfamiliar, is a format that pits drivers against the clock rather than each other. It demands sharp focus, precise driving, and mechanical reliability.
‘It’s exhilarating. It all comes down to one lap and fans love the tension.’
But for Jono, it wasn’t just about competitive driving. He envisioned something broader – an experience that would bring the entire car community together. ‘We didn’t want it to feel exclusive or intimidating,’ he explains. ‘So we made it a whole event-music, food, entertainment, even kids’ zones. There’s something for everyone. It’s not just a race day-it’s a vibe.’
Motorsport, family, and legacy
Through it all, Jono remains grounded. He often reflects on the support of his parents, who stood by him through the financial and emotional challenges of competitive sport.
‘Motorsport is very much a family thing,’ he says. ‘I know being an athlete put a lot of strain on my parents, but I’m so grateful for their unwavering support.’
That gratitude fuels his drive to give back-through mentorship, innovation, and by creating a platform where the next generation of enthusiasts and engineers can thrive.
While many dream of becoming the next Lewis Hamilton, Jono has carved his own unique lane. One that merges his childhood dreams with adult expertise. One that creates community, not just competition.
From racing in a go-kart to organising national Time Attack events, Jonathan Vilaca is proof that with passion and perseverance you can turn your “boyhood toys” into a legacy.
Off the cuff:
- Jet ski or dirt bike?
Definitely jet ski
- Supercar or classic muscle?
Supercar
- Cape Town coast or Drakensberg mountains?
Cape Town coast
- Manual or paddle shift?
Manual
- Luxury watch or limited- edition sneakers?
Luxury watch
- Build if yourself or buy it perfect?
Build it myself 10 times.
- If you could swap lives with one racing legend for a day, who would it be?
Former Formula 1 legend, Ayrton Senna. “He’s my hero, second to my dad.”
Text and photo: DESNAY PETERSON
