The 2025 GR Cup season drew to a spectacular close this past weekend (24 and 25 October) at the tight and technical Zwartkops Raceway in Gauteng. With the titles already wrapped up in the GR Cup Media Challenge, GR Cup Dealer Challenge, and the GR86 Development Academy, the pressure was off—but the action on track was as intense as ever.
Under clear skies and warm temperatures peaking in the low 30s, all three GR Cup categories delivered two hotly contested races that capped off a year of closely matched battles and emerging talent.
GR CUP MEDIA CHALLENGE
Although Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) had already clinched the title heading into the final round, he remained as competitive as ever, setting the pace in Qualifying with a best time of 1:12.384. Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) was just 0.587 seconds adrift, followed closely by Phuti Mpyane (TimesLIVE) and the rest of the tightly packed media field.
Race 1 saw Nabil return to winning form, clocking a total race time of 10:13.387 to beat Kock and Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader), who completed the podium. Charl Bosch (Citizen) was next across the line, followed by Mpyane and Willem van de Putte (IOL).
Race 2 was a reversal of fortunes. Kock used his strong start to build a lead and crossed the line first in 7:45.672, ahead of Abdool and Bosch. Mpyane took fourth, Van de Putte fifth, and Minnie rounded out the class in sixth.
GR CUP DEALER CHALLENGE
The GR Cup Dealer Challenge also had its champion crowned before Zwartkops, with Mario de Sousa having sealed the title in Cape Town. Still, the final round was fiercely contested, with Werner Horn (Halfway Toyota) taking pole position in Qualifying with a 1:12.801 lap. De Sousa (Motus Toyota) and Werner Venter (NMI Toyota Menlyn/Centurion) were close behind.
Race 1 belonged to Venter, who stormed to victory in 10:21.735 after a composed drive. De Sousa followed in second, with Johan Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) in third. Werner Horn was fourth, ahead of Andries de Villiers, Rudolf Boonzaaier, and Marius Claasen.
Race 2 saw Venter repeat his success, once again leading home De Sousa and De Vos in a thrilling finale. Horn placed fourth, with Rudi Boonzaaier, Claasen, and Johan Boonzaaier next. De Villiers and Crowie both encountered trouble and failed to finish. Theo Brits retired after just two laps.
GR86 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
With Jason Coetzee already confirmed as the 2025 GR86 Development Academy champion, attention turned to the two young Namibian debutants: Kobus Reyneke and Kian Fussell, both regular karting front-runners taking their first steps into saloon car racing.
Qualifying was a close affair, with Coetzee topping the timesheets with a 1:13.088 lap, just 0.128 seconds quicker than Kent Swartz. Reyneke slotted into third ahead of Jonno Wilson, Fussell and Vatiswa Mokhonoana.
Race 1 saw Coetzee lead from lights to flag, winning by four seconds over Reyneke, with Swartz in third. Fussell and Wilson followed, while Mokhonoana completed the field.
Race 2 repeated the script. Coetzee again proved untouchable, claiming victory by nearly two seconds over Reyneke. Swartz was third, ahead of Fussell, Wilson and Mokhonoana. It was a dominant performance by the reigning champion and a promising showing from the Namibian newcomers.
The final round at Zwartkops brought the curtain down on a stellar season of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa’s GR Cup. With multiple race winners, emerging young talent, and a growing grid across all three categories, the series continues to deliver on its promise of developing skill, encouraging competition, and strengthening the link between road and race.
The 2025 champions are:
- GR Cup Media Challenge: Nabil Abdool (SuperSport)
- GR Cup Dealer Challenge: Mario de Sousa (Motus Toyota)
- GR86 Development Academy: Jason Coetzee
Plans for the 2026 season are already underway, promising even more excitement, more cars, and more reasons to watch this one-make series grow. As for TGRSA, the next orders of business are the South African Rally-Raid Championship and SA National Rally Championship races, taking place this coming weekend, in Vryheid and Dullstroom respectively.
