The next round of the 2024 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA GR Cup will take place at the East London Grand Prix Circuit on 27 July. This event marks the second of the mid-winter visits to the Eastern Cape, as the series prepares for an exciting weekend of racing before heading back to Killarney in the Western Cape and Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria for the season’s finale.
As the 2024 GR Cup Challenge enters the second half of the season, Driven editor Bernie Hellberg Jr will join media colleagues Sean Nurse (AutoTrader), Hannes Visser (La’t Wiel), Alex Shahini (Car), Jaco van der Merwe (Citizen), and Kumbi Mtshakazi (Kumbi on Cars) for round 5 of the National Extreme Festival held in East London.
Known (or shall we say notorious) as one of the fastest and most dangerous tracks in the country, East London promises legendary thrills and spills for this weekend’s racing, as the battle for championship points also enters a new phase.
GO GR COROLLA!
Nurse currently leads the GR Cup Media Challenge with 56 points after four rounds. Shahini and Visser are locked in a battle for second place, while Van der Merwe and Mtshakazi look to close the gap, as Hellberg, in his Toyota GR Corolla, will be aiming to catch up with Mtshakazi ahead of him. Toyota executive, Anand Pather return adds an exciting element to this round, as he brings experience and enthusiasm to the track.
GR CUP DEALER CHALLENGE
The GR Cup Dealer Challenge is hotly contested, with Mario de Sousa leading the standings. However, Paul de Vos and Devon Scott are hot on his heels, tied on 26 points. Johan Snyman, Andries de Villiers, and Werner Venter will be looking to make their mark and climb the leaderboard in a challenge powered by the Toyota GR Yaris.
GR86 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Dawie van der Merwe continues to dominate the GR86 Development Academy with a perfect score of 56 points. Niko Zafiris is second, with Dylan Pragji, Setshaba Mashigo, and Ryan Naicker all in close competition. Kent Swartz will be aiming to improve his position as the series progresses.
The weather for the upcoming weekend in East London is expected to be cool but dry, providing ideal racing conditions. The drivers will have practice sessions on Friday, followed by qualifying and two race heats on Saturday.
With Sean Nurse leading the GR Cup Media Challenge and Dawie van der Merwe dominating the GR86 Development Academy, the upcoming round at the East London Grand Prix Circuit promises to be an exciting event.
LAST WORD
Considering the massive investment in time and sponsorship required to maintain a series such as the GR Cup Challenge, we would like to thank Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Toyota South Africa, Toyota Financial Services, Garmin, Dunlop, Ferodo and Kinto for their support in realising the motorsport dream for Driven and the other teams participating in series.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © TOYOTA GAZOO RACING SOUTH AFRICA
