GR (Gazoo Racing) Cup Heats up at Kyalami with Standout Performances in all Three Categories
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. 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.
| GR Cup Media Challenge – Qualifying |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Best Lap |
Best Lap No. |
|
1 |
Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) |
2:07.632 |
6 |
|
2 |
Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) |
2:09.725 |
6 |
|
3 |
Phuti Mpanye (TimesLive) |
2:09.946 |
4 |
|
4 |
Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) |
2:12.754 |
2 |
|
5 |
Charl Bosch (Citizen) |
2:13.616 |
7 |
|
6 |
Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL) |
2:15.356 |
6 |
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.
| GR Cup Media Challenge – Race 1 |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Total Time |
Laps |
Best Lap |
|
1 |
Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) |
17:26.696 |
8 |
2:07.883 |
|
2 |
Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) |
17:45.879 |
8 |
2:09.258 |
|
3 |
Phuti Mpanye (TimesLive) |
17:48.190 |
8 |
2:09.371 |
|
4 |
Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) |
18:04.141 |
8 |
2:10.841 |
|
5 |
Charl Bosch (Citizen) |
18:31.219 |
8 |
2:12.708 |
|
6 |
Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL) |
18:34.070 |
8 |
2:12.997 |
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.
| GR Cup Media Challenge – Race 2 |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Total Time |
Laps |
Best Lap |
|
1 |
Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) |
17:27.967 |
8 |
2:07.604 |
|
2 |
Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) |
17:47.604 |
8 |
2:09.103 |
|
3 |
Phuti Mpanye (TimesLive) |
17:51.218 |
8 |
2:09.213 |
|
4 |
Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) |
18:02.314 |
8 |
2:10.351 |
|
5 |
Charl Bosch (Citizen) |
18:23.232 |
8 |
2:12.334 |
|
6 |
Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL) |
18:26.103 |
8 |
2:13.021 |
GR Cup Dealer Challenge – GR Corolla
In the GR Cup Dealer Challenge, Mario de Sousa (Motus) was the man to beat all weekend. He set the fastest time in Qualifying with a lap of 2:08.369, ahead of Theo Brits (NMI Menlyn/Centurion) and Paul de Vos (GR Driving Academy).
| GR Cup Dealer Challenge – Qualifying |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Best Lap |
Best Lap No. |
|
1 |
Mario de Sousa (Motus) |
2:08.369 |
2 |
|
2 |
Theo Brits (NMI Menlyn/Centurion) |
2:09.992 |
6 |
|
3 |
Paul de Vos (GR Driving Academy) |
2:10.067 |
3 |
|
4 |
Marius Claasen (Rola Motors) |
2:11.403 |
7 |
|
5 |
Riaan du Ru (CFAO Mobility) |
2:11.881 |
5 |
|
6 |
Johan Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) |
2:13.930 |
6 |
|
7 |
Kevin Crowie (Halfway Toyota) |
2:17.347 |
6 |
Race 1 saw de Sousa control the class from the front, taking victory with a clean and composed drive. Paul de Vos followed just a few seconds behind, putting in one of his strongest performances to date in the GR Driving Academy car. Theo Brits completed the podium, fending off consistent pressure from the chasing pack.
| GR Cup Dealer Challenge – Race 1 |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Total Time |
Laps |
Best Lap |
|
1 |
Mario de Sousa (Motus) |
17:33.279 |
8 |
2:08.640 |
|
2 |
Paul de Vos (GR Driving Academy) |
17:37.505 |
8 |
2:09.201 |
|
3 |
Theo Brits (NMI Menlyn/Centurion) |
17:43.539 |
8 |
2:09.931 |
|
4 |
Marius Claasen (Rola Motors) |
17:57.006 |
8 |
2:11.183 |
|
5 |
Riaan du Ru (CFAO Mobility) |
17:59.153 |
8 |
2:11.657 |
|
6 |
Johan Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) |
18:10.933 |
8 |
2:13.527 |
|
7 |
Kevin Crowie (Halfway Toyota) |
18:36.238 |
8 |
2:16.214 |
Race 2 was another masterclass from de Sousa, who went one better by finishing ahead of the entire field, including the GR86 and Media drivers. De Vos again brought home a strong second, cementing a weekend of consistency, while Brits made it a double-podium weekend with third place.
| GR Cup Dealer Challenge – Race 2 |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Total Time |
Laps |
Best Lap |
|
1 |
Mario de Sousa (Motus) |
17:26.825 |
8 |
2:07.510 |
|
2 |
Paul de Vos (GR Driving Academy) |
17:30.903 |
8 |
2:08.030 |
|
3 |
Theo Brits (NMI Menlyn/Centurion) |
17:36.160 |
8 |
2:08.705 |
|
4 |
Marius Claasen (Rola Motors) |
17:48.591 |
8 |
2:10.101 |
|
5 |
Riaan du Ru (CFAO Mobility) |
17:52.416 |
8 |
2:10.456 |
|
6 |
Johan Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) |
18:02.538 |
8 |
2:12.343 |
|
7 |
Kevin Crowie (Halfway Toyota) |
18:28.219 |
8 |
2:15.022 |
GR86 Development Academy
The GR86 Development Academy continues to deliver close, competitive racing. Kent Swartz topped Qualifying with a best time of 2:09.323, narrowly beating Jason Coetzee and Khanya Ngwenya.
| GR86 Development Academy – Qualifying |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Best Lap |
Best Lap No. |
|
1 |
Kent Swartz |
2:09.323 |
1 |
|
2 |
Jason Coetzee |
2:09.411 |
4 |
|
3 |
Khanya Ngwenya |
2:09.757 |
7 |
|
4 |
Justin Rogers |
2:11.842 |
3 |
|
5 |
Brandon van der Walt |
2:11.966 |
5 |
|
6 |
Jordan Moodley |
2:12.913 |
7 |
|
7 |
Vatiswa Mokhonoana |
2:14.488 |
4 |
Race 1 featured a breathtaking battle at the front. Swartz, Ngwenya, and Coetzee crossed the finish line within just half a second of each other, with Swartz edging out his rivals to take the win. The trio were followed by Justin Rogers, Brandon van der Walt, and Jordan Moodley, while Vatiswa Mokhonoana completed the field.
| GR86 Development Academy – Race 1 |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Total Time |
Laps |
Best Lap |
|
1 |
Kent Swartz |
17:28.514 |
8 |
2:09.698 |
|
2 |
Khanya Ngwenya |
17:28.834 |
8 |
2:09.477 |
|
3 |
Jason Coetzee |
17:28.994 |
8 |
2:09.408 |
|
4 |
Justin Rogers |
17:46.062 |
8 |
2:11.643 |
|
5 |
Brandon van der Walt |
17:48.300 |
8 |
2:11.275 |
|
6 |
Jordan Moodley |
17:53.841 |
8 |
2:12.152 |
|
7 |
Vatiswa Mokhonoana |
18:21.128 |
8 |
2:13.527 |
In Race 2, Coetzee reclaimed the top step with a faultless drive, taking victory by just 0.12 seconds over Ngwenya. Brandon van der Walt put in a strong showing to complete the podium, while the rest of the field fought hard in a fast-paced and tightly packed race.
| GR86 Development Academy – Race 2 |
|
Pos |
Competitor |
Total Time |
Laps |
Best Lap |
|
1 |
Jason Coetzee |
17:33.840 |
8 |
2:10.670 |
|
2 |
Khanya Ngwenya |
17:33.960 |
8 |
2:10.701 |
|
3 |
Brandon van der Walt |
17:37.372 |
8 |
2:10.705 |
|
4 |
Justin Rogers |
17:43.276 |
8 |
2:11.998 |
|
5 |
Kent Swartz |
17:44.404 |
8 |
2:11.236 |
|
6 |
Jordan Moodley |
17:51.930 |
8 |
2:12.332 |
|
7 |
Vatiswa Mokhonoana |
18:28.944 |
8 |
2:15.098 |
The next round of the 2025 GR Cup Championship will be Round 3, set to take place at the Aldo Scribante Circuit in Gqeberha on 10 May 2025.
