The Eastern Cape will roar to life this Saturday, 10 May, as Round 3 of the 2025 GR Cup descends on the iconic Aldo Scribante Raceway in Gqeberha. With Toyota South Africa’s premier one-make racing series now approaching its midway point, all eyes are on the circuit as the championship tightens — and as a new contender enters the paddock.
Friday is earmarked for practice and setup, while Saturday promises a full day of high-octane action with Qualifying followed by two competitive heats. But the headline for this round isn’t just the battle on track — it’s the highly anticipated debut of the all-new automatic GR Yaris in the GR Cup Media Challenge.
A New Chapter for the GR Cup Media Challenge
Up until now, media drivers have been battling it out in the manual GR Yaris — a car famed for its raw, rally-bred character. However, from Aldo Scribante onward, the competition enters a new era with the arrival of the automatic GR Yaris. And it’s no ordinary upgrade.
The latest GR Yaris Rally boasts a ferocious 1.6-litre turbocharged engine — the most powerful three-cylinder powerplant in the world — producing 215kW and 390Nm of torque. Matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the car can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and tops out at 230 km/h. The new gearbox promises quicker shifts, sharper throttle response, and a redefined driving dynamic that could prove decisive in the tightly contested Media Challenge.
Media Challenge: Abdool Maintains Momentum
SuperSport’s Nabil Abdool enters Round 3 with a perfect score of 28 points, dominating the leaderboard after two stellar performances. But the competition is far from over. Kyle Kock of CAR Magazine sits second with 20 points, while Phuti Mpyane from TimesLive is in striking distance with 16. With 14 points up for grabs this weekend, any slip-up could open the door for a dramatic shift in the standings.
Media Challenge Standings (After Round 2):
| Position | Driver | Publication | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nabil Abdool | SuperSport | 28 |
| 2 | Kyle Kock | CAR Magazine | 20 |
| 3 | Phuti Mpyane | TimesLive | 16 |
| 4 | Lawrence Minnie | AutoTrader | 12 |
| 5 | Charl Bosch | Citizen | 8 |
| 6 | Willem van de Putte | IOL | 4 |
The shift to the automatic GR Yaris could well be the wildcard in what has already been an unpredictable season.
Dealer Challenge and Development Academy: Tight at the Top
In the GR Cup Dealer Challenge, Mario de Sousa (Motus Toyota) currently leads the charge, but the pressure is mounting. Hot on his heels are Devon Scott and Paul de Vos from the GR Driving Academy, while duos from NMI Menlyn/Centurion and Rola Motors are within reach and looking to close the gap in Gqeberha.
There’s additional excitement with Riaan du Ru (CFAO Mobility) making a return after his Kyalami debut, bringing more firepower to an already fiercely competitive grid.
In the GR86 Development Academy, Jason Coetzee has emerged as the frontrunner with 25 points, proving he’s a rising star in the making. Not far behind are Kent Swartz and Khanya Ngqenya, both eager to make their mark as the series hits one of its most technically demanding tracks.
The Circuit: Aldo Scribante — A Driver’s Track
Measuring 2.48 kilometres, the Aldo Scribante Raceway is a flat yet deceptively challenging layout. Featuring a mix of tight corners and quick-fire straights, it rewards precision and punishes hesitation. Sweeping turns and technical braking zones test the mettle of even the most seasoned racers, and with sunny, mild conditions forecast for the weekend, the stage is set for pure motorsport theatre.
Whether it’s the arrival of the high-tech GR Yaris auto, the leadership battles across all categories, or the promise of racing under Eastern Cape skies, Round 3 of the 2025 GR Cup promises to be a turning point in this electrifying season.
Will Abdool extend his dominance, or will the new automatic setup shuffle the deck? And can Coetzee and De Sousa hang onto their leads as the championship pressure builds?
Gqeberha is ready. The drivers are ready. Let the race begin.
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