Kattlyn ‘Kaká’ Magno is a Brazilian racing driver who has competed across multiple disciplines—from karting and truck racing to prototypes and touring cars—carving out a career defined by determination and a willingness to race anything with wheels.

EARLY YEARS

Little is documented about Magno’s early life, family background, or childhood environment. What is known is that before she ever strapped into a race car, she was a promising tennis player. That trajectory changed abruptly when an injury ended her tennis career at age 15. Instead of retreating, she pivoted—hard—into motorsports, beginning her senior racing career in 2019 with the Eset series in a Renault Clio. It was a bold move, the kind that signals someone who doesn’t know how to quit.

OTHER INTERESTS

No information is available about Magno’s hobbies, interests, or pursuits outside of racing.

EARLY SUCCESS

Magno’s racing foundation was built in Brazilian karting, where she competed at the highest national levels and earned the title of Brazilian Vice-Champion. Her karting career was extensive and competitive—she once finished 23rd in a 36-kart Brazilian championship field after having just 21 days to prepare following a bout with Covid. She also competed in the 500 Miles of Granja Viana, finishing fifth with her team, an experience she described as a dream come true.

After recovering from her tennis injury and entering the Eset series in 2019, she won her class in both sprint and endurance races at Gronik, Croatia. At just 16, she made the leap into truck racing—yes, truck racing—joining the Buggyra team in the French and European truck championships. Her best results included a third-place finish at Nogaro in the French championship, later upgraded to first, and an eighth-place finish at Most in the European series. In July 2020, she set speed records over 500 meters in a streamlined Buggyra-Freightliner truck, because why not add that to the résumé?

Her Dakar Rally preparation took her to the Middle East Cup for Cross Country Bajas, where she raced a Buggyra Can-Am light prototype. She won one event outright, secured podiums in two others, and claimed the championship. In 2021, she tackled the Dakar Rally itself with co-driver Stephane Duple. Her best stage finish was 36th on stage 12, and she finished 104th overall—a result compromised by issues on stage 2. Post-Dakar, she won her class in the 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi, a non-championship endurance race, driving a Mercedes alongside David Vrsecky.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: Won class in sprint and endurance races at Gronik, Croatia, in Eset series (Renault Clio).
• 2020: Set speed records over 500m in streamlined Buggyra-Freightliner truck.
• 2020: Won Middle East Cup for Cross Country Bajas championship (Buggyra Can-Am light prototype), including one outright event win and two additional podiums.
• 2021: First woman to compete in the Italian Prototype Championship (CISP), debuting May 1-2 at Monza in a Wolf Racing GB08 Thunder.
• 2021: Competed in Dakar Rally with co-driver Stephane Duple; best stage finish 36th (stage 12), 104th overall.
• 2021: Won class in 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi (non-championship, Mercedes with David Vrsecky).
• 2023: Finished 2nd in GT4 class (26th overall) at Mugello 12H in the 24H Series, racing alongside Adam Lacko.
• 2023: Won GT4 class at Spa in the 24H Series with two co-drivers; finished 2nd in GT4 championship.
• 2023: Competed in Stock Series with RTR Sports (#25 JL-G12 Chevrolet Cruze); earned one pole position, finished 11th in drivers’ standings with 174 points across 15 races.
• 2024: Continued with RTR Sports in Stock Series (#25); finished P9 in Race 1 at Velopark Circuit (Round 5) despite a broken steering bar; held 11th in drivers’ standings mid-season with 89 points.
• Brazilian Karting: Brazilian Vice-Champion; competed extensively at national level including Brazilian championship (23rd in 36-kart field after 21-day Covid preparation).

INSPIRATIONS

Magno has cited Ayrton Senna as a major inspiration. When she made her debut at Monza in 2021, she reflected on the significance of racing on the same track where Senna once competed. “Racing in Monza is surreal,” she said. “It was always one of my dreams to race on the tracks where Ayrton Senna was racing. I am really turning my dream into reality to be here in Monza, one of the greatest Italian circuits and to be part of this—I have no words.”

REPUTATION

Magno has made a name for herself as a barrier-breaker, particularly in Europe. She was the first woman to compete in the 2021 Italian Prototype Championship (CISP), making her debut at Monza—though both races ended prematurely due to technical issues. In Brazil, she was selected by the Brazilian Automobile Confederation (CBA) to represent the country in the Auto Slalom class, racing electric vehicles including the Opel Corsa-e Rally. She expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “In addition to being ecologically sustainable, thanks to the charging infrastructure, the Opel Corsa-e Rally offers an incredible experience. I always dreamed of competing with electric cars, like in Formula E!”

Her aim, as she has described it, is to pave the way for the next generation of female racers in Europe, building on her success in Brazilian karting. She’s a driver who doesn’t shy away from new challenges, whether it’s trucks, prototypes, or endurance racing, and she’s demonstrated a willingness to race just about anything.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

As of 2024, Magno was competing in the Stock Series with RTR Sports. No information is available about her plans for 2025 or beyond, including contracts, sponsorships, or specific career goals.

References:

Kaká Magno in Europe to Pave the Way for the Next Generation
Kaka Magno – Driver Database
Speed Queens Blog – April 2023
Season Recap: How Are the Journeys of Bruna Tomaselli and Kaká Magno in the Stock Series 2024