The fourth season of the Toyota GR Cup reaches its thrilling conclusion this weekend at Zwartkops Raceway outside Pretoria. This final round, part of the National Extreme Festival, caps off a season of six rounds and 11 races, one short of the planned 12 after the East London washout. Zwartkops, one of only two circuits to host a pair of rounds this season, welcomes the series back for the first time since June....Click to Read More >>➤
The Championship Picture
While the driver’s title has been decided, the final standings remain fiercely contested. SuperSport’s Nabil Abdool sealed the championship at the previous round in Killarney, ending with an unassailable 73 points. His perfect run of victories was finally broken by Car Magazine’s Kyle Kock, who took a pair of wins on home turf.
The battle for the runner-up spot is now the primary focus. Kock holds second with 52 points, but TimesLive’s Phuti Mpyane is hot on his heels, just four points behind. This narrow margin ensures a dramatic showdown for second place. The fight for fourth in the Toyota GR Cup is equally intense. AutoTrader’s Lawrence Minnie currently holds the position with 29 points, making a podium finish mathematically impossible. I find myself just four points behind Minnie after securing a fifth and fourth place finish in Cape Town. For The Citizen, the goal is clear: clinch that fourth place to cap off the debut racing season.
The Zwartkops Challenge
Returning to Zwartkops brings a sense of unfinished business. Like Kyalami, this circuit has been a challenging venue. The track is technical and tight, demanding precision, particularly through the complex section from the turn two hairpin up the hill past the GR HQ. Overtaking opportunities are limited, placing immense importance on a strong qualifying performance—an area that has been a season-long challenge.
The circuit requires bravery and calculated risk. A single mistake can lead to a spin or a high-speed encounter with the barriers. My first race here in June was difficult, resulting in a finish behind IOL/Independent’s Willem de Putte. However, the confidence gained in recent rounds provides a solid foundation to fight for that coveted fourth place in the Toyota GR Cup finale.
A Weekend of High Stakes and Farewells
This weekend carries significant weight. It represents the culmination of a year of intense competition across South Africa’s major circuits. While the focus is on securing the best possible result on the track, the event will also be poignant. After seven rounds of intense rivalry and camaraderie, saying goodbye to the current chapter of the Toyota GR Cup will be a bittersweet moment for all competitors. The final checkered flag at Zwartkops will not only decide the final standings but also mark the end of an exhilarating season. ...Click to Read More >>➤
