The 2026 GR Cup gets under way at Killarney this weekend

The 2026 GR Cup season roars into life this weekend as the championship returns to the Western Cape for Round 1, at the Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town. With mild, sunny weather forecast for both days, the stage is set for an exciting start to the new season as the GR Cup Media Challenge, GR Cup Dealer Challenge, and GR86 Development Academy take to the circuit alongside the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) squad competing in the South African Touring Cars (SATC) championship. The weekend programme follows the familiar format, with warm-up and practice sessions taking place on Friday, before the main event unfolds on Saturday with Qualifying and two races for each of the GR Cup categories.

The GR Cup Media Challenge once again forms the headline act within the GR Cup paddock, placing some of South Africa’s leading motoring journalists directly into competitive circuit racing. The series continues to offer a rare opportunity for members of the media to step away from the keyboard and camera and experience motorsport from behind the wheel. For 2026, the competitors will pilot the GR Corolla equipped with Toyota’s Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT).

Powered by a 1,6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 221kW and 400Nm, the GR Corolla DAT combines all-wheel-drive performance with paddle-shift convenience, making it an ideal platform for close, competitive racing. Among those lining up on the grid this season are Craig Nicholson (News24 Motoring), Tayedza Mbiri (AutoTrader), defending champion Nabil Abdool (SuperSport), Naresh Maharaj (The Witness/ Algoa FM), Justin Ford (eNCA), and the shared entry of Kumbi Mtshakazi (Kumbi-M On Cars) and Brandon Jacobs (Khulekani on Wheels). With a new car and a competitive field, the Media Challenge promises plenty of action from the opening round.

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The GR Cup Dealer Challenge will once again see Toyota dealers represented on the grid as they battle for honours in one of the most closely fought categories within the championship. The dealerships competing in the 2026 season include Rola Toyota Somerset West, NMI Toyota Menlyn, Halfway Toyota Fourways, Waterberg Toyota, CFAO Mobility Toyota, Malalane Toyota, and the GR Driving Academy.

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