The 2025 South African Touring Car Championship (SATC) season continues this weekend as the series heads to the Eastern Cape for Round 3, set to take place at the Aldo Scribante Circuit in Gqeberha. Following a strong showing at Kyalami during Round 2, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is looking to build on that momentum as the championship intensifies.
As before, the team will once again field its three SATC entries: the GR Corolla race cars piloted by Michael van Rooyen, Saood Variawa, and Nathi Msimanga. The ever-improving SupaStarlet will also return to action in the SupaCup class, with Dawie van der Merwe behind the wheel.
Michael van Rooyen currently leads the SATC championship standings after two rounds, thanks to consistent performances and a strong points haul at Kyalami. Teammate Saood Variawa, who joined the championship at Round 2, finds himself in fifth place overall on 24 points after a race win and a solid weekend at Kyalami. Nathi Msimanga, also making his season debut at Round 2, has banked 10 points so far.
In the SupaCup standings, Dawie van der Merwe is currently in fourth place, just 45 points adrift of the lead. With two solid races under his belt at Kyalami, the young driver will be eager to close the gap to the frontrunners as he returns to a circuit where he has raced previously.
The Aldo Scribante Circuit is a 2.4-kilometre track that features eight corners, combining a fast straight with a tight and technical infield complex. The contrasting characteristics of the layout provide a unique challenge and often test drivers and teams to the limit – making precision, setup and racecraft absolutely critical.
Track conditions are expected to be favourable throughout the weekend, with fine and mild weather forecast, and largely sunny skies predicted for Saturday’s race programme.
