This weekend, the legendary Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit plays host to the second round of the 2025 Extreme Festival, and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is set to deliver another high-octane showcase of performance, passion, and precision across several motorsport categories. With the weather forecast promising mild and dry conditions, the stage is set for a blistering weekend of racing on one of South Africa’s most demanding and iconic circuits.
A Circuit Built for Pure Drivers
With its high-speed straights, sweeping curves, and unforgiving technical sections, Kyalami remains a favourite among purists and professionals alike. This 4.5-kilometre ribbon of tarmac demands a unique blend of commitment, bravery, and technical mastery. Whether it’s the GR Yaris or GR86, every driver on the grid will need to dig deep to extract the best from both machine and self on a track that leaves no room for error.
GR Cup Media Challenge: Writers on the Limit
Motoring journalists-turned-racers return to the spotlight in the GR Cup Media Challenge, where they’ll once again pilot the ever-potent manual GR Yaris—a car that’s as raw as it is rewarding.
Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) leads the standings after a dominant start to the season, but he’ll have his hands full with Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) and Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) both hungry for redemption. Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader), Charl Bosch (Citizen), and Willem van der Putte (Independent Media/IOL) complete the field, each hoping to carve their own line of glory through Kyalami’s hallowed asphalt.
GR Cup Dealer Challenge: Precision Meets Pride
In the GR Cup Dealer Challenge, it’s a battle of the brands as Toyota dealerships from across the country go wheel-to-wheel in GR Corollas. Devon Scott may be the current championship leader, but it’s Paul de Vos of the GR Driving Academy who’ll carry the flag this weekend in their rotation-based campaign.
Close behind in the standings are Mario de Sousa (Motus) and Werner Venter (NMI Menlyn/Centurion), while Andries de Villiers (Rola Motors), Rudolf Boonzaier (Waterberg Toyota), and Tiaan Combrink (Halfway Toyota) all aim to make up ground with clean, consistent drives.
Adding intrigue to the grid is newcomer Riaan du Ru, representing CFAO Mobility. His debut promises to spice up an already competitive dealer field.
GR86 Development Academy: Shaping the Future
If the GR Cup showcases today’s talent, then the GR86 Development Academy is all about nurturing tomorrow’s champions. Young guns battle it out in identical rear-wheel-drive GR86s, refining their racecraft under real-world pressure.
Jason Coetzee leads the pack, but with Mikel Bezuidenhout, Kent Swartz, and Khanya Ngwenya hot on his heels, the championship remains wide open. With its elevation changes and unforgiving corners, Kyalami is the ultimate classroom—and every lap counts.
SATC & SupaStarlet: Factory Firepower on Show
The South African Touring Car Championship (SATC) sees the return of TGRSA’s formidable trio: Michael van Rooyen—better known as the Rustenburg Rocket—former champion Saood Variawa, and rising star Nathi Msimanga. Their consistency and chemistry make them a formidable force on the grid.
Also returning to action is the ever-entertaining SupaStarlet, piloted by Dawie van der Merwe. Compact, capable, and charismatic, the SupaStarlet remains one of the most accessible entry points into the racing world—making it a fan favourite wherever it goes.
The Stage is Set
With a stacked lineup and prime weather forecast, all eyes turn to Kyalami for a weekend that promises speed, spectacle, and sport at its finest. Whether you’re cheering from the grandstands or catching the action online, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa is ready to deliver another masterclass in motorsport.
Fasten your seatbelts—this is racing, the TGRSA way.
