TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa HEADS TO THE EASTERN CAPE AS CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLES INTENSIFY
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) heads to the Eastern Cape this weekend for Round 4 of the 2026 season, with both the GR Cup and South African Touring Cars (SATC) championships returning to the Aldo Scribante Circuit near Gqeberha.
The 2.48 km circuit has long been a favourite on the national calendar, with its combination of flowing corners, heavy braking zones and several overtaking opportunities regularly producing close and entertaining racing. The circuit’s exposed nature also means changing weather can play a significant role in proceedings, and that may once again be the case this weekend.
Friday’s programme will consist of warm-up and practice sessions under dry conditions, but Saturday’s weather forecast suggests the possibility of light drizzle, potentially creating mixed conditions for Qualifying and the day’s two races.
As the season approaches its halfway mark, the various championship battles are beginning to take shape.
In the GR Cup Media Challenge, SuperSport’s Nabil Abdool has enjoyed a perfect start to the year, winning all the races contested thus far, and opening up a commanding lead in the standings. Abdool arrives in Gqeberha on 42 points, with News24 Motoring’s Craig Nicholson in second place on 29 points.
The battle for third remains exceptionally close. eNCA’s Justin Ford currently occupies the position on 17 points, while the shared Kumbi-M on Cars and Khulekani on Wheels entry of Kumbi Mtshakazi and Brandon Jacobs sits fourth on 14 points. AutoTrader’s Tayedza Mbiri is fifth on 13 points, with The Witness and Algoa FM’s Naresh Maharaj on seven points.
The GR Cup Dealer Challenge has produced some of the closest racing of the season. GR Driving Academy’s Devon Scott continues to lead the standings on 28 points despite missing out on a perfect score at Zwartkops, while NMI Toyota Menlyn’s Werner Venter remains firmly in contention on 25 points.
NMI Toyota Centurion’s Theo Brits occupies third place on 20 points, while Malalane Toyota’s Werner Horn and Rola Toyota’s Marius Claassen are tied on 16 points apiece. GR Driving Academy’s Paul de Vos enjoyed a breakthrough weekend at Zwartkops and has moved up to sixth in the standings on 14 points. Rola Toyota’s Andries de Villiers sits seventh on four points, while Jaco Barendse, Johan Boonzaaier and Riaan du Ru have all opened their accounts this season.
The GR86 Development Academy has become one of the most closely contested categories in the championship. Connor Weston heads to the Eastern Cape leading the standings on 35 points after his victory at Zwartkops, but Kobus Reyneke remains firmly in the hunt on 31 points.
Emma Dowling continues to impress in her debut season and is third overall on 25 points, while Kian Fussell occupies fourth place on 15 points. Reagile Mailula and Vatiswa Mokhonoana are tied on nine points apiece, followed by Tshepang Shisinwana on seven points and Miklos Hegyi on one point.
The weekend will also see TGRSA continue its campaign in South African Touring Cars, where reigning champion Michael van Rooyen and rising star Jason Coetzee will once again field a pair of GR Corollas.
The SATC title race remains exceptionally close after three rounds. Julian van der Watt leads the championship on 81 points, with KC Ensor-Smith second on 67 points. TGRSA teammates Coetzee and Van Rooyen are tied on 53 points in third and fourth places respectively, while Andrew Schofield is just one point further back on 52 points.
Coetzee has continued to impress in his rookie SATC season after graduating from the GR86 Development Academy at the end of 2025, underlining the effectiveness of TGRSA’s driver development pathway. Van Rooyen, meanwhile, will be looking to continue the momentum gained at Zwartkops, where he secured the team’s first SATC podium of the season.
With valuable championship points up for grabs and the prospect of mixed weather conditions adding another variable to the equation, Round 4 at Aldo Scribante promises another fascinating weekend of racing for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa.
