{"id":23595,"date":"2025-05-27T15:39:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/?p=23595"},"modified":"2025-05-27T15:40:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:40:50","slug":"meet-jonathan-vilaca-the-racer-engineer-steering-the-future-of-sa-motorsport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/blog\/2025\/05\/27\/meet-jonathan-vilaca-the-racer-engineer-steering-the-future-of-sa-motorsport\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Jonathan Vilaca: The racer-engineer steering the future of SA motorsport"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>He was racing before he could reach the pedals, now Jonathan Vilaca is steering South Africa\u2019s premier Time Attack series. Here\u2019s how one lad turned childhood dreams into motorsport reality.<\/p>\n<p>At just six years old, Jonathan \u2018Jono\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Jono is the owner and founder of Vilaca Racing, South Africa\u2019s leading Time Attack series and one of the most exciting platforms in the local motorsport scene.<\/p>\n<p>But his story isn\u2019t just about horsepower &#8211; it\u2019s about a deep-rooted love for motorsport that started in the most humble of ways.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>A childhood fueled by petrol and passion<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Growing up in a motorsport-obsessed household, Jono didn\u2019t have to look far for inspiration.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-23600 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-5-1068x712.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2018My dad has always been a lover of motorsport,\u2019 he says. \u2018He got me my first go-kart when I was seven. It came from a run-down workshop. We went to check if I\u2019d even fit in it.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Though the kart was ready, the rules weren\u2019t. 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We\u2019d load the go-kart and fuel into my dad\u2019s station wagon and head to the track,\u2019 he recalls. \u2018Getting picked up from school on a Friday with my kart on the trailer, knowing we were off to race-that was the best feeling.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s clear that for Jono, motorsport was never just a hobby. It was a way of life.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>The early wins and big break<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>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\u2019s top young talents. Then came the call every young racer dreams of; Red Bull was interested.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-23598 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1114\" height=\"1113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3.jpg 1114w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-696x695.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-3-1068x1067.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1114px) 100vw, 1114px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2018At 11, I became a Red Bull athlete,\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It was a tough decision, but we chose for me to stay and finish school,\u2019 he says. \u2018Had I left and things didn\u2019t work out, I would\u2019ve had no matric. It was a risk we weren\u2019t willing to take.\u2019<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Engineering a new path<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>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. \u2018I was always good with my hands. I did subjects like technical drawing and fitting-and-turning. It sort of came naturally.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-23597 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-400x346.jpg 400w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-1024x886.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-768x665.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-485x420.jpg 485w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-696x602.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-1068x924.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-2-534x462.jpg 534w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After matric, Jono pursued a degree in mechanical engineering. \u2018I think racing changed the way I approached engineering,\u2019 he says. \u2018Both require you to make crucial decisions quickly. There are no shortcuts &#8211; just hard work.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>And that blend of hands-on experience and academic knowledge would soon prove powerful through the birth of Vilaca Racing.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>The birth of Vilaca Racing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-23603 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/IMG_0756-rotated-e1748352813164.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"864\" height=\"758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/IMG_0756-rotated-e1748352813164.jpg 864w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/IMG_0756-rotated-e1748352813164-400x351.jpg 400w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/IMG_0756-rotated-e1748352813164-768x674.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/IMG_0756-rotated-e1748352813164-479x420.jpg 479w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/IMG_0756-rotated-e1748352813164-696x611.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I wasn\u2019t trying to build a business,\u2019 he reflects. \u2018But I started noticing flaws in the market-parts that weren\u2019t up to standard. So, I began designing high-performance components that simply didn\u2019t exist locally.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t 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\u2019t until the post-Covid period that the company\u2019s direction shifted in an exciting new way.<\/p>\n<p>Once lockdown restrictions eased, Jono decided to organise a small Time Attack event-an experiment that quickly turned into a phenomenon. \u2018We were blown away,\u2019 he recalls. \u2018The buzz, the turnout, the enthusiasm-it was clear people were hungry for this kind of motorsport.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It\u2019s exhilarating. It all comes down to one lap and fans love the tension.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>But for Jono, it wasn\u2019t just about competitive driving. He envisioned something broader &#8211; an experience that would bring the entire car community together. \u2018We didn\u2019t want it to feel exclusive or intimidating,\u2019 he explains. \u2018So we made it a whole event-music, food, entertainment, even kids\u2019 zones. There\u2019s something for everyone. It\u2019s not just a race day-it\u2019s a vibe.\u2019<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Motorsport, family, and legacy<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-23602 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1079\" height=\"1071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7.jpg 1079w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7-400x397.jpg 400w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7-1024x1016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7-768x762.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7-423x420.jpg 423w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7-696x691.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2025\/05\/Jono-Pic-7-1068x1060.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1079px) 100vw, 1079px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Motorsport is very much a family thing,\u2019 he says. \u2018I know being an athlete put a lot of strain on my parents, but I\u2019m so grateful for their unwavering support.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u201cboyhood toys\u201d into a legacy.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Off the cuff:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jet ski or dirt bike?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Definitely jet ski<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Supercar or classic muscle?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Supercar<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cape Town coast or Drakensberg mountains?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cape Town coast<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Manual or paddle shift?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Manual<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Luxury watch or limited- edition sneakers?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Luxury watch<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Build if yourself or buy it perfect?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Build it myself 10 times.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>If you could swap lives with one racing legend for a day, who would it be?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Former Formula 1 legend, Ayrton Senna. \u201cHe\u2019s my hero, second to my dad.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Text and photo: DESNAY PETERSON<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He was racing before he could reach the pedals, now Jonathan Vilaca is steering South Africa\u2019s premier Time Attack series. Here\u2019s how one lad turned childhood dreams into motorsport reality. At just six years old, Jonathan \u2018Jono\u2019 Vilaca was gifted his first motorbike. A year later, he was on the track in a go-kart, unknowingly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":23596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,40,20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-23595","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle","8":"category-people","9":"category-personalities"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet Jonathan Vilaca: The racer-engineer steering the future of SA motorsport - Get It Joburg South \/ East<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/blog\/2025\/05\/27\/meet-jonathan-vilaca-the-racer-engineer-steering-the-future-of-sa-motorsport\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meet Jonathan Vilaca: The racer-engineer steering the future of SA motorsport - Get It Joburg South \/ East\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"He was racing before he could reach the pedals, now Jonathan Vilaca is steering South Africa\u2019s premier Time Attack series. 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