2023 GR Cup season ends with a BANG at Zwartkops

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA’s GR Cup, pushed by Netstar, drew to a shut at the Zwartkops International Raceway on Saturday, October 14th 2023. The 2023 GR Cup, which is contested by a variety of the nation’s foremost motoring writers, driving GR86 street vehicles, was determined over seven rounds, every that includes a qualifying session and two race heats. In the tip, it was ASAMM’s Setshaba Mashigo who walked away with the general laurels, although the ultimate race weekend shall be remembered as one the place Auto Trader’s Chad Luckhoff made his mark.

2023 GR Cup Race Day

Mashigo set the quickest time through the qualifying session, simply 0.104 forward of Luckhoff. Mark Jones (Citizen) adopted 0.331 additional again, with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA’s (TGRSA) Riaan Esterhuysen in fourth place. TimesLIVE’s Denis Droppa and Toyota SA Motors’ Glenn Crompton accomplished the lineup. Brendon Staniforth, one of many common racers within the Cup, was compelled to overlook out on the ultimate race weekend, after the Maroela Media consultant fell ailing and elected to not compete.

Race 1 noticed excessive drama within the GR Cup’s sister league, the place opponents race the GR Yaris in the identical races because the motoring writers marketing campaign their GR86 vehicles. This time, a large shunt amongst the GR Yaris drivers, who begin forward of the GR86 drivers on the grid, prompted mayhem. Unfortunately for Mashigo, he picked up a puncture when driving over a number of the particles from the crash forward of him, and determined to retire his GR86 after dropping down the order.

ALSO READ: Bronx Rally introduced combined outcomes for the TGRSA groups

This allowed Luckhoff to pounce, and pounce he did. Going into the ultimate race weekend, Luckhoff was locked into a fierce battle for second place within the Cup, with Droppa only one level forward of him, and Jones tied with him on factors. So, there was all to play for at Zwartkops, and Luckhoff made the a lot of the alternative. He completed simply forward of Jones, who lead Droppa and Esterhuysen throughout the end line. Mario de Sousa made a short-notice visitor look, driving Staniforth’s automotive on the Saturday. He completed simply forward of Crompton, after a spirited drive from each of them.

With only one race standing between Luckhoff and second within the championship, the Auto Trader consultant knew precisely what he needed to do. But there was nonetheless a glimmer of glory for each Jones and Droppa, so the ultimate race of the season was at all times going to be a robust one.

ALSO READ: Toyota GR Supra will get handbook transmission and energy improve

As it turned out, Luckhoff pushed exhausting to take advantage of his closing race of the yr, successful the second race as nicely. Esterhuysen completed second, whereas Mashigo got here in third, with Jones and De Sousa behind him; and Crompton rounding out the outcomes. Droppa was side-lined after a Turn 2 incident, which compelled him to retire from the race.

Crompton, who serves as Toyota SA Motors’ Vice-President for Marketing, through the prize-giving occasion following the ultimate race:

“We are very pleased with this year’s GR Cup.”

“Toyota is back in motorsport with a vengeance, and there is more to come in the future. With that said, the GR Cup has proven a highly successful formula, and we look forward to hosting it again in 2024.”

Crompton, Toyota SA Motors’ Vice-President for Marketing

As an added bonus, the Top 4 within the 2023 GR Cup’s closing standings – Mashigo; Luckhoff; Jones and Droppa – shall be competing within the 9-Hour endurance race, which takes place in Cape Town at the tip of the yr.

ALSO READ: The GR Corolla is able to rocket out of South African dealerships

FINAL STANDINGS: 2023 GR CUP

ALSO READ: SA Endurance National Championship motion heads to Zwartkops

Published by Toyota South Africa on Motorpress

It is perhaps at it’s finish, however control our Motorsport web page for extra in regards to the 2024 TGRSA GR Cup season.