FEATURE: My Kyalami weekend – what a journey

Round 2 of the GR Cup took place at the majestic Kyalami Grand Prix circuit on Saturday 12th April as part of the National Extreme Festival presented by Coca-Cola.

The GR Cup is a competitive racing series using near-production Toyota GR performance vehicles. The series features three categories: the GR Cup Dealer Challenge (GR Corolla’s), the Development Academy (GR86) and the GR Cup Media Challenge (GR Yaris).

I am proud to be fielding the SuperSport #11 GR Yaris in the Media Challenge affectionately known as Cupcake.

Now, this is no ordinary Yaris, this is a wide-arched, turbocharged 200kw pocket rocket designed by Toyota’s mighty performance arm TGR. These vehicles are purpose built with form, function and most importantly fun in mind, each variant is accessible to the public straight off the Toyota dealership floor!

ALREADY A WINNER

This was not my first acquaintance with Cupcake, together we managed to take pole, a double win and fastest lap at our Killarney debut during the opening round of the Extreme Festival in March.

A surprising feat for my first track outing, it all felt too good to be true but the table had been set and the expectations were high. Could we muster a repeat performance at the legendary Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit?

Kyalami is a 4.6km ribbon of asphalt steeped in racing history. Personally, this was more than just another stop on the GR Cup calendar – it’s a once in a lifetime pilgrimage! This is where legends have roared battling for top honours since the 60s.

The very place where I stood years ago (March 1993 to be exact) in the pitlane next to my father, wide-eyed as I shook hands with my childhood hero Ayrton Senna. Now, 32 years later, I was there not as a spectator, but as a driver, suited up in SuperSport & Toyota Gazoo Racing colours! What a privilege!

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Practice 1 began with promise as I led the field out onto the circuit. No pressure, right? My first time turning a wheel on this magnificent FIA Gr.2 track and a pack of 20 eager drivers buzzing behind. There was no time to waste, I needed to learn and adapt to this track quickly.

With both the tyres and brakes up to temp it was time to put in my first flying lap! Coming out of Ingwe (the last corner) I put the pedal down, which was met with a splutter and 90 per cent loss of power, I coasted back to the pits, and the mechanics jumped into action.

They sent me out again but the fault persisted and I was back in the garage. I sat anxiously listening to the field putting in lap after lap gaining precious seat time.

Then after what felt like an eternity Cupcake was back in business.

Feeling frustrated but grateful, I had just enough time for only one hot lap. I returned with a 2:12.218 — just enough to keep ahead of Car Magazine’s Kyle Kock. The Academy Corolla driven by 2024 overall winner Paul de Vos topped the times with a 2:10:017 with Mario De Sousa (Motus) another tenth behind.

Practice 2 brought redemption as the gremlins stayed away, but this time the culprit was me being too aggressive over the curb at Cheetah, knocking the alignment out which saw me battling understeer in every left-hander. We soldiered through the session and posted a 2:09.381.

It wasn’t perfect, but enough for fastest overall.

Mario de Sousa was four-tenths adrift - Cupcake had serious pace!

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

With fresh brake pads and the alignment sorted, Practice 3 was all about restraint. I drove sensibly to allow the new brake pads to settle in, then giving her some beans on lap six to post a 2:09.500 for third overall and 1st in class. Kyle (Car Magazine) and Phuti (Timeslive) both had knocked off seconds and were edging closer to the 2:10’s.

Qualifying was going to be closely contested, but Cupcake felt sharp, the track was dialled in, and my confidence was building.

BREAKING BARRIERS

Qualifying is critical to the race, this is where the fun ends and focus ramps up. As I clicked my helmet shut, the banter and camaraderie evaporated.

I pushed through the field on the out lap to get clear air, I was behind Kyle and we were both starting our push lap and once again I went into Cheetah too hot and popped Cupcake on to two wheels, messing up the alignment again.

According to Car Magazine’s Kyle, it was quite the sight from his rear-view mirror. Despite the mishap, I pushed hard and broke into the 2:07s, clocking a 2:07.632 for overall pole position. Cupcake was the only car under 2:08 out of the entire GR field!

A scrumptious performance indeed and a surreal moment for me. To do it at Kyalami, a track I’ve always revered, was validation that my pole at Killarney was no fluke! Kyle and Phuti were right behind me, both breaking into the coveted 2:09s.

RACE 1 – GRIT, GRAVEL AND GLORY

The race format allows the Academy Class of 86s to start around 10-12 seconds ahead, and I led the rolling start with the mingled Yaris & Corolla pack over the line down to Crawthorne.

Keeping the lead through Turn 1 I knew I needed to put the hammer down and build a gap between myself and Mario’s powerful GR Corolla. My plan? Slice through the 86 field and create a buffer zone.

We did just that, with Cupcake cutting through the field of 86s and a comfortable gap emerged to the leading Corolla. Coming onto the last lap, I caught the tail end of the three leading 86s fiercely fighting among each other. Do I dare challenge them for the overall win and risk my lead and the championship? Of course…

Foot down and I passed two 86s (Coetzee & Swartz) on the front straight and caught the leading 86 (Khanya) down into Crowthorne. He opened the door and I dived down the inside, but unfortunately we clipped each other on the apex.

With the impact unsettling Cupcake and Khanya being sent wide, we ran side by side into Juksei with Cupcake taking the overall lead. However, she felt unsettled into Barbeque and a I ran wide into the kitty litter!

I pinned the throttle and prayed to the all-wheel drive Gods, and managed to collect the car and still maintain track position ahead of the three 86 hornets behind me. Gravel-covered tyres made the next corners a tricky affair, but the crumbs cleared up by the time I reached the Esses, and sprinted for the flag. Victory!

Overall win and class win, to say I was emotional doesn’t even begin to describe it. My first time racing at Kyalami sealing the deal in this way was unreal.

Kyle Kock (Car Magazine) and Phuti Mpyane (Timeslive) rounded out the Media podium, both skilfully dipping below the 2:10’s during the race.

Lawrence Minnie (Autotrader) crossed the line in 4th followed by Charl Bosch (Citizen) and Willem van de Putte (Independent Media / IOL)

RACE 2 – A CHASE TO THE END

Starting from pole again thanks to a fastest lap in Race 1 (2:07.883) alongside De Sousa and Paul (last year’s overall winner) in the Academy Corolla behind me, and my championship contender Kyle just behind him.

The adrenaline began to surge as we edged closer to the line, lights out! Foot to the floor and Cupcake bogged slightly but spooled up quickly enough to get me to Crawthorne unchallenged.

De Sousa managed to maintain superb drive on the outside line and took the inside line into Juksei. On the outside I ran out of room as the door was being shut firmly, and met an unfriendly sausage curb that jolted the frosting off Cupcake’s underside.

I held on tight behind Mario with the Academy Corolla hot on my heels down the old pit straight. I managed to maintain the place into Sunset and settled in behind Mario as we charged into battle with the field of 86 drivers like men possessed.

With three laps to go Mario cleared Khanya and Jason, so now the last two 86s stood between us. They were fighting hard and it took me a lap to battle them off, but by the start of Lap 7, was I set free and began chasing down Mario who was about four seconds ahead.

Cupcake & I were closing in quickly but it just wasn’t enough, with De Sousa crossing the line 1.1 seconds ahead, taking a well-deserved win and fastest lap of 2:07.510.

Hats off to him — it was a masterclass performance.

Kyle Kock (Car Magazine) and Phuti Mpyane (Timeslive) both on the podium, matching their form in race 1 with sub 2:10s during the race. Lawrence Minnie (Autotrader) came home in fourth followed by Charl Bosch (Citizen) and Willem van de Putte (Independent Media /IOL).

DEFINING CHAPTER

This wasn’t just another race weekend. It was a defining chapter in my GR Cup journey—and Cupcake’s final outing under my command. Saying goodbye to her at Kyalami, the track where I first fell in love with motorsport, was poetic, emotional and unforgettable.

Cupcake, you were magic. I gave you the best send-off I could. Thank you.

NEXT UP

We will be piloting the New GR Yaris for the remaining five rounds, so catch us down in Gqeberha at Aldo Scribante on 10 May!

Championship Standings after Round 2:

Nabil Abdool – 28 pts

Kyle Kock - 20

Phuti Mpyane - 16

Lawrence Minnie - 12

Charl Bosch - 8

Willem Jansen van de Putte - 4