Fueled by passion, driven by a Dream.
Fueled by passion, driven by a Dream.
Fueled by passion, driven by a Dream.
The coastal Eastern Cape region can probably lay claim to being the birthplace of motorsport in South Africa and the first home of the Formula One Grand Prix. From races organised on a tourist road to the more permanent facility of today, racing has been held in the region for over 80 years, though the international events of old are now somewhat fading from memory.
Perched on the coast to the south of the city of East London, the track is one of the fastest in the country, with a layout unchanged since its debut in the 1950s. Prime among its challenges is the 220km/h first corner, Potter's Pass, which certainly requires commitment given the lack of camber.
PRINCE GEORGE CIRCUIT
GR CUP ROUND 5 HIGHLIGHTS:
High Speeds, High Stakes - Abdool Sends It
Round 5 of the National Extreme Festival took place at the legendary East London Grand Prix Circuit. A venue steeped in history and revered for its raw speed and unforgiving layout. Known as the fastest and most fierce track on the calendar, this coastal circuit is not for the faint-hearted, and it’s been circled on my calendar all season. Preparation for this weekend began well before the transporter rolled into the paddock. I spent time at Toyota Gazoo Racing HQ, dialing in my lines on their simulator and working closely with seasoned instructor Devon Scott to fine-tune my understanding of East London’s high-speed rhythm. With valuable insight and solid sim time, I arrived at the circuit confident and eager to extract the most from the 2025 GR Yaris.
Friday Practice: Full Send Friday
I’ve been given the nickname Sandbagger by the other drivers, as I tend not to reveal my true pace during our practice sessions and then unleash everything on the very last qualifying lap.
This time however I decided to hit the ground running from the very first session on the same rubber we ran back at Zwartkops.
Practice 1: P1 with a 1:35.306, a tenth quicker than 2024’s GR Cup pole time, set in a GR Corolla.
Practice 2: Another P1, going sub-1:35 for the first time with a 1:34.987.
Practice 3: We turned the wick up and delivered a blistering 1:34.377, topping the charts once again and the only GR Cup car sub-1:35.
That final time put us well clear of the Dealer and Media Challenge classes. Even more encouraging, our onboard Garmin Catalyst GPS timer showed an optimal theoretical lap time of 1:32.9 based on combined best sectors. The potential was there, and my goal was to dip into the 1:33s during qualifying on Saturday once the new tires were fitted.
Saturday Qualifying: Chaos in the Clouds
Mother Nature had her say and overnight rain left the circuit drenched. We arrived at the sodden track and immediately noticed the 3 rivers of standing water down the main straight. We found out later that this was due to a burst reservoir pipe near the circuit, reports were coming in that the track had slick patches everywhere, our only available tyre option were our semi-slicks. This cast trepidation amongst many across the paddock but we were not about to miss this opportunity!
With uncertainty hanging in the air, the grid was split into two qualifying groups, I rolled out with the first group. This was my first time driving the GR Yaris on a wet circuit with semi-slicks, an extremely tricky combination. After a few exploratory laps and a handful of full-opposite lock moments, my bravery and car control were put to the test! Aside from the streams down the main straight, the newly resurfaced Cox corner was slippery in the dry, now it was an ice rink! The Sweep up to Beacon corner had virtually no grip (I almost swapped ends there a few times) I managed to hook together a lap and set the fastest time of our session with a 1:43.477, right at the chequered flag. It was now time for the second group to head out, the track was drying up and the sun was breaking through the clouds, better conditions for them could topple the first groups standings. However the session took a frightening turn. Down the main straight, the CFAO GR Corolla #555 aquaplaned at close to 200km/h, leaving the circuit in a violent crash. It was a horrific sight, but thanks to the world-class safety systems built into the GR Cup cars and the top-tier safety equipment issued to every driver, Riaan de Ru emerged from the wreck unharmed. It was a sobering reminder of the risks we take and the strength of the machinery we race in. The session was red-flagged, and the decision was made to base the starting grid on the quickest practice times. That meant SuperSport’s GR Yaris #11 would once again be starting from Pole position for the fifth consecutive race weekend.
Race Day : A Dozen lap Feature
With the day’s schedule thrown into disarray due to multiple incidents and red flags across categories, the GR Cup was converted from the usual two 8-lap sprint races into one extended 12-lap feature event.
Leading the field of Dealer Cup and Media Challenge competitors through the rolling start, I was relieved to see clear skies and a dry track. At lights out, Devon Scott in the Academy Corolla was immediately on the attack, followed closely by Kyle Kock (Car Magazine), Mario de Sousa (Motus Toyota) and Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) The opening laps were intense as I scrambled to build a gap with a succession of quick laps (including the fastest lap of the day 1:35:618 on lap 4) Knowing we’d be running 50% more race distance than usual, I had to carefully manage the tires, brakes, and fuel consumption. Lift-and-coast strategies came into play, along with keeping a watchful eye on diff and gearbox temps especially towards the latter part of the race, East London’s high-speed corners put huge loads through the drivetrain.
With a decent gap forming between myself and the Academy Corolla of Devon Scott, I overtook 4 of the GR86s, each time Devon encountered them I took the opportunity to coast and cool the car. We crossed the line 1st in class, securing our ninth win from nine starts in the 2025 season. My pragmatic approach to the race paid off there was not a single line remaining on the fuel gauge when I crossed the line.
Overall a mentally challenging weekend but absolutely one of the best rounds this season! East London lived up to its reputation and delivered all the action!
Championship Standings after Round 5:
Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) – 63 🏆
Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) – 40
Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) – 38
Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) – 26
Charl Bosch (The Citizen) – 19
Willem van der Putte (Independent Media/IOL) – 12
Back to the Beginning
With five rounds complete and just two remaining, we are taking a short break before heading back to the birthplace of this season’s journey Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town on 13 September.
Until then, we celebrate another incredible weekend in the GR Cup!
The coastal Eastern Cape region can probably lay claim to being the birthplace of motorsport in South Africa and the first home of the Formula One Grand Prix. From races organised on a tourist road to the more permanent facility of today, racing has been held in the region for over 80 years, though the international events of old are now somewhat fading from memory.
Perched on the coast to the south of the city of East London, the track is one of the fastest in the country, with a layout unchanged since its debut in the 1950s. Prime among its challenges is the 220km/h first corner, Potter's Pass, which certainly requires commitment given the lack of camber.
PRINCE GEORGE CIRCUIT
Kyalami has long been considered the centre of motor racing in South Africa and, appropriately, takes its name from a piece of land on its northern border; in the local Zulu language, Kyalami means 'my home'.
South Africa's turbulent political history has meant that Kyalami's fortunes have waxed and waned over the years, though happily it now appears more secure than ever having come under the ownership of Porsche South Africa chairman Toby Venter. After extensive renovation, the circuit was proud to be homologated to FIA Grade 2 status, with the door open for a possible further future upgrade.
KYALAMI CIRCUIT
GR CUP ROUND 5 HIGHLIGHTS:
High Speeds, High Stakes - Abdool Sends It
Round 5 of the National Extreme Festival took place at the legendary East London Grand Prix Circuit. A venue steeped in history and revered for its raw speed and unforgiving layout. Known as the fastest and most fierce track on the calendar, this coastal circuit is not for the faint-hearted, and it’s been circled on my calendar all season. Preparation for this weekend began well before the transporter rolled into the paddock. I spent time at Toyota Gazoo Racing HQ, dialing in my lines on their simulator and working closely with seasoned instructor Devon Scott to fine-tune my understanding of East London’s high-speed rhythm. With valuable insight and solid sim time, I arrived at the circuit confident and eager to extract the most from the 2025 GR Yaris.
Friday Practice: Full Send Friday
I’ve been given the nickname Sandbagger by the other drivers, as I tend not to reveal my true pace during our practice sessions and then unleash everything on the very last qualifying lap.
This time however I decided to hit the ground running from the very first session on the same rubber we ran back at Zwartkops.
Practice 1: P1 with a 1:35.306, a tenth quicker than 2024’s GR Cup pole time, set in a GR Corolla.
Practice 2: Another P1, going sub-1:35 for the first time with a 1:34.987.
Practice 3: We turned the wick up and delivered a blistering 1:34.377, topping the charts once again and the only GR Cup car sub-1:35.
That final time put us well clear of the Dealer and Media Challenge classes. Even more encouraging, our onboard Garmin Catalyst GPS timer showed an optimal theoretical lap time of 1:32.9 based on combined best sectors. The potential was there, and my goal was to dip into the 1:33s during qualifying on Saturday once the new tires were fitted.
Saturday Qualifying: Chaos in the Clouds
Mother Nature had her say and overnight rain left the circuit drenched. We arrived at the sodden track and immediately noticed the 3 rivers of standing water down the main straight. We found out later that this was due to a burst reservoir pipe near the circuit, reports were coming in that the track had slick patches everywhere, our only available tyre option were our semi-slicks. This cast trepidation amongst many across the paddock but we were not about to miss this opportunity!
With uncertainty hanging in the air, the grid was split into two qualifying groups, I rolled out with the first group. This was my first time driving the GR Yaris on a wet circuit with semi-slicks, an extremely tricky combination. After a few exploratory laps and a handful of full-opposite lock moments, my bravery and car control were put to the test! Aside from the streams down the main straight, the newly resurfaced Cox corner was slippery in the dry, now it was an ice rink! The Sweep up to Beacon corner had virtually no grip (I almost swapped ends there a few times) I managed to hook together a lap and set the fastest time of our session with a 1:43.477, right at the chequered flag. It was now time for the second group to head out, the track was drying up and the sun was breaking through the clouds, better conditions for them could topple the first groups standings. However the session took a frightening turn. Down the main straight, the CFAO GR Corolla #555 aquaplaned at close to 200km/h, leaving the circuit in a violent crash. It was a horrific sight, but thanks to the world-class safety systems built into the GR Cup cars and the top-tier safety equipment issued to every driver, Riaan de Ru emerged from the wreck unharmed. It was a sobering reminder of the risks we take and the strength of the machinery we race in. The session was red-flagged, and the decision was made to base the starting grid on the quickest practice times. That meant SuperSport’s GR Yaris #11 would once again be starting from Pole position for the fifth consecutive race weekend.
Race Day : A Dozen lap Feature
With the day’s schedule thrown into disarray due to multiple incidents and red flags across categories, the GR Cup was converted from the usual two 8-lap sprint races into one extended 12-lap feature event.
Leading the field of Dealer Cup and Media Challenge competitors through the rolling start, I was relieved to see clear skies and a dry track. At lights out, Devon Scott in the Academy Corolla was immediately on the attack, followed closely by Kyle Kock (Car Magazine), Mario de Sousa (Motus Toyota) and Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) The opening laps were intense as I scrambled to build a gap with a succession of quick laps (including the fastest lap of the day 1:35:618 on lap 4) Knowing we’d be running 50% more race distance than usual, I had to carefully manage the tires, brakes, and fuel consumption. Lift-and-coast strategies came into play, along with keeping a watchful eye on diff and gearbox temps especially towards the latter part of the race, East London’s high-speed corners put huge loads through the drivetrain.
With a decent gap forming between myself and the Academy Corolla of Devon Scott, I overtook 4 of the GR86s, each time Devon encountered them I took the opportunity to coast and cool the car. We crossed the line 1st in class, securing our ninth win from nine starts in the 2025 season. My pragmatic approach to the race paid off there was not a single line remaining on the fuel gauge when I crossed the line.
Overall a mentally challenging weekend but absolutely one of the best rounds this season! East London lived up to its reputation and delivered all the action!
Championship Standings after Round 5:
Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) – 63 🏆
Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) – 40
Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) – 38
Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) – 26
Charl Bosch (The Citizen) – 19
Willem van der Putte (Independent Media/IOL) – 12
Back to the Beginning
With five rounds complete and just two remaining, we are taking a short break before heading back to the birthplace of this season’s journey Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town on 13 September.
Until then, we celebrate another incredible weekend in the GR Cup!
GR CUP ROUND 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
GR CUP HEATS UP AT KYALAMI WITH STANDOUT PERFORMANCES IN ALL THREE CATEGORIES
Round 2 of the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa GR Cup brought another thrilling instalment of action to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit this past weekend.
Round 2 of the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa GR Cup brought another thrilling instalment of action to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit this past weekend. Under clear skies and with track conditions improving throughout the weekend, the country’s top motoring journalists, Toyota dealer representatives, and emerging racing talent went head-to-head across two competitive heats. With the series now in full swing, the intensity is ramping up in the GR Cup Media Challenge, GR Cup Dealer Challenge, and GR86 Development Academy.
GR Cup Media Challenge – GR Yaris
The GR Cup Media Challenge saw a repeat of dominance from Nabil Abdool (SuperSport), who proved untouchable once again at Kyalami. The media class remains one of the most competitive of the GR Cup structure, with drivers representing top automotive media outlets in South Africa.
Qualifying was closely contested, but Abdool secured pole position with a best time of 2:07.632, ahead of Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine), who posted a 2:09.725. Phuti Mpanye (TimesLive) was third-fastest, just ahead of Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader). Charl Bosch (Citizen) and Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL) completed the lineup.
Race 1 saw Abdool control the pace from the front, setting the fastest lap in the process and taking a comfortable class win. He was followed home by Kock and Mpanye, who ran closely throughout the race.
Minnie and Bosch enjoyed a good scrap in the midfield, while Van de Putte brought his GR Yaris home in sixth.
In Race 2, Abdool once again led from start to finish, capping a perfect weekend with another victory. Kock secured another second place, with Mpanye holding onto third despite pressure from Minnie. Bosch and Van de Putte again completed the order after another clean run to the chequered flag.
Courtesy of Toyota ZA
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Nabil Abdool - 2:07.632 🏆
Kyle Kock - 2:09.725
Phuti Mpyane - 2:09.946
Lawrence Minnie - 2:12.754
Charl Bosch - 2:13.616
Willem van de Putte - 2:15.356
RACE 1 RESULTS:
Nabil Abdool - 2:07.883 🏆
Kyle Kock - 2:09.258
Phuti Mpyane - 2:09.371
Lawrence Minnie - 2:10.841
Charl Bosch - 2:12.708
Willem van de Putte - 2:12.997
RACE 2 RESULTS:
Nabil Abdool - 2:07.604 🏆
Kyle Kock - 2:09.103
Phuti Mpyane - 2:09.213
Lawrence Minnie - 2:10.351
Charl Bosch - 2:12.334
Willem van de Putte - 2:13.021