SA’s national Extreme Festival Heads to Kyalami International Grand Prix Circuit this weekend, promising a thrilling spectacle as the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa GR Cup grows to an almighty 17 cars on track.
A long-held dream to race at South Africa’s most prestigious track comes true for Driven editor Bernie Hellberg Jr this weekend, as round two of the popular GR Cup series heads to Kyalami International Grand Prix Circuit as part of the national Extreme Festival.
Powered by Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Driven will again compete in the GR Corolla against five other leading motoring platforms, including Autotrader (Sean Nurse), La’t Wiel (Hannes Visser), Car (Alex Shahini), The Citizen (Jaco van der Merwe), and Kumbi M on Cars (Kumbi Mtshakazi).
They will be joined on track by the GR 86 drivers who participate in the GR 86 Development Academy, where former GR Cup winner Setshaba Mashigo now competes. Finally, a host of dealer-entered GR Yaris will complete the line-up, potentially boosting the number of cars on track during each race to 17.
Although a fourth-place finish saw Hellberg racking up six championship points during the season’s opening race at Killarney in Cape Town, Kyalami’s 4.52 km track offers an excellent opportunity for him to take the challenge to the podium finishers (Nurse, Visser, and Shahini) from round one.
As before, the stock 1.6-litre three-cylinder Toyota GR Corollas will be running on Dunlop Direzza semi-slick tyres, with the only upgrades being Powerbrake Big Brakes, specialised Ferodo track-spec brake pads, and race-tuned suspension. Support from Netstar and Garmin completes the GR Cup sponsor line-up.
This weekend’s racing is set to ignite with the inclusion of the GR Yaris drivers into the GR Cup grid. Beginning with practice on Thursday, followed by qualifying on Friday, and culminating in two races on Saturday, anticipation for the action is palpable, with the stage set for an electrifying display of motorsport prowess.
Starting at R200, tickets for this weekend’s Extreme Festival are available from Computicket here, with free entry for kids under 12.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © Ryan Abbott
