The 2024 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA GR Cup heads to Zwartkops International Raceway near Pretoria this weekend for the final round of what has been an exhilarating season of racing. Set to take place on Saturday, 19 October, as part of the Extreme Festival, the event will feature the season’s final practice sessions on Friday, 18 October, followed by qualifying and two high-intensity race heats on Saturday.
While Sean Nurse (AutoTrader) has already secured the GR Cup Media Challenge title, the fight for the remaining podium positions remains fiercely contested. All eyes will be on the battle for second place between Alex Shahini (53 points), Hannes Visser (39 points), and the closely matched Kumbi Mtshakazi and Jaco van der Merwe, who are tied on 29 points after six rounds. Bernie Hellberg (Driven) will also be in the mix, so expect some exciting on-track action as the drivers push their Toyota GR Corollas to the limit on Zwartkops’ tight and technical circuit.
GR Cup Media Challenge (GR Corolla) Standings:
Position | Driver | Points |
1 | Sean Nurse | 77 |
2 | Alex Shahini | 53 |
3 | Hannes Visser | 39 |
4 | Kumbi Mtshakazi | 30 |
5 | Jaco van der Merwe | 29 |
6 | Bernie Hellberg | 18 |
GR Cup Dealer Challenge (GR Yaris)
The GR Cup Dealer Challenge also promises to deliver a dramatic conclusion at Zwartkops. Devon Scott, sharing the GR Yaris with Paul de Vos, has already secured the championship after a dominant performance throughout the season. Despite this, the drivers behind him will be eager to close out the season on a high note, and the battle for pride and podium finishes is sure to be intense.
GR86 Development Academy
In the GR86 Development Academy, Dawie van der Merwe has continued his flawless form to secure the championship with one event remaining. However, the drivers in this category are still hungry for success, and the final round at Zwartkops will see Niko Zafiris, Dylan Pragji, and Setshaba Mashigo battling it out for race wins and the chance to finish the season on a strong note.
As the 2024 GR Cup prepares for its final showdown at Zwartkops International Raceway, fans can expect a thrilling day of racing action. While some titles have already been decided, the battle for the remaining podium positions in the GR Cup Media Challenge is set to go down to the wire. The weather this weekend is expected to be sunny and warm, with very hot temperatures forecasted for Saturday, which will add another challenge for the competitors.
Fans attending the event can also look forward to the TGRSA Merchandise Stand and activation area, which will be deployed at the circuit, offering exclusive merchandise and exciting activities.
With the high-speed straights and challenging corners of Zwartkops providing the perfect backdrop for the season finale, the weekend promises to be an exciting end to a phenomenal year of GR Cup racing.