Round 4 of the 2025 GR Cup unfolded at the iconic Zwartkops Raceway, west of Pretoria. The mid-winter weather delivered ideal conditions for a packed programme of single-make racing, and the GR Cup once again delivered tight battles and standout performances. With the GR Cup Media Challenge, GR Cup Dealer Challenge, and GR86 Development Academy sharing the circuit, the weekend offered fans non-stop action and important shifts in championship momentum.
GR Cup Media Challenge (GR Yaris AT)
Qualifying saw Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) continuing his impressive form, claiming pole with a rapid 1:11.571. Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) was second-fastest, with Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) just behind. The field was tightly packed, with Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine), Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL), and Charl Bosch (Citizen) all within reach.
In Race 1, Abdool made a clean getaway and never looked back, taking the win with authority. Mpyane maintained his composure to finish second, while Kock rounded out the podium. Minnie and van de Putte followed, with Bosch completing the order.
Race 2 followed a similar script, with Abdool once again setting the pace. Mpyane was a consistent second, while Bosch stepped onto the podium this time, ahead of Minnie and van de Putte. Kock unfortunately registered a DNF after an on-track altercation with Minnie, which saw the CAR Magazine scribe limp his car back to the pits.
The overall result for the weekend confirmed Abdool as the dominant force, taking top honours. Mpyane finished second overall, with Minnie in third.
GR Cup Media Challenge – Overall
| Pos | Driver | Total Time |
| 1 | Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) | 20:08.642 |
| 2 | Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) | 20:31.024 |
| 3 | Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader) | 20:56.543 |
| 4 | Charl Bosch (Citizen) | 21:04.724 |
| 5 | Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL) | 21:08.014 |
| 6 | Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) | 19:22.490* |
*Kock DNF in Race 2
GR Cup Dealer Challenge (GR Corolla & GR Yaris MT)
Qualifying in the Dealer Challenge was intense, with a mix of GR Corollas and manual GR Yaris models on the grid. Mario de Sousa (Motus Toyota) claimed the top spot with a 1:11.972 lap, followed closely by Devon Scott and Josh Vetter. The Dealer Challenge featured an impressive 12-car lineup, which helped to boost the overall field to a remarkable 25 cars — the biggest in GR Cup history.
Race 1 saw Scott deliver a standout drive to edge out De Sousa and Werner Venter (NMI Menlyn). Paul de Vos (GR Driving Academy) and Vetter rounded out the top five, with consistent pressure coming from Marius Claasen (Rola Motors) and the rest of the field.
In Race 2, Scott doubled up with another fine victory, again ahead of De Sousa. Venter claimed another podium finish, while De Vos and Vetter kept the top five locked.
Scott’s consistency earned him the overall win for the weekend, with De Sousa second and Venter in third.
GR Cup Dealer Challenge – Overall
| Pos | Driver | Total Time |
| 1 | Devon Scott (GR Driving Academy) | 20:16.051 |
| 2 | Mario de Sousa (Motus Toyota) | 20:18.818 |
| 3 | Werner Venter (NMI Menlyn) | 20:24.922 |
| 4 | Paul de Vos (GR Driving Academy) | 20:26.784 |
| 5 | Josh Vetter | 20:30.385 |
| 6 | Marius Claasen (Rola Motors) | 20:36.678 |
| 7 | Werner Horn (Malalane Toyota) | 20:47.415 |
| 8 | Theo Brits (NMI Menlyn) | 20:48.025 |
| 9 | Rudolf Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) | 20:52.666 |
| 10 | Andries de Villiers (Rola Motors) | 21:07.487 |
| 11 | Kevin Crowe (NMI Menlyn) | 21:08.839 |
| 12 | Johan Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) | 21:21.813 |
GR86 Development Academy
In the GR86 Development Academy, Jason Coetzee set the benchmark in qualifying with a best lap of 1:12.582. Kent Swartz and Khaya Ngwenya were hot on his heels, while the rest of the field remained close behind.
Coetzee went on to dominate both races. In Race 1, he led Swartz and Ngwenya to the flag, while in Race 2, the same trio repeated the order. Behind them, Justin Rogers, Brandon van der Walt, Jonno Wilson, and Vatiswa Mokhonoana traded places through consistent battles.
With two victories and the fastest combined time, Coetzee once again topped the overall results, ahead of Swartz and Ngwenya.
GR86 Development Academy – Overall
| Pos | Driver | Total Time |
| 1 | Jason Coetzee | 19:38.928 |
| 2 | Kent Swartz | 19:40.993 |
| 3 | Khaya Ngwenya | 19:46.622 |
| 4 | Brandon van der Walt | 20:04.952 |
| 5 | Justin Rogers | 20:05.040 |
| 6 | Jonno Wilson | 20:22.474 |
| 7 | Vatiswa Mokhonoana | 20:32.498 |
The weekend at Zwartkops marked a decisive moment in the 2025 GR Cup calendar. Momentum has clearly shifted across the categories, with leaders tightening their grip and challengers stepping up to the fight.
Round 5 of the championship is scheduled to take place at the East London Grand Prix Circuit on 19 July 2025, where the fast, coastal layout promises another thrilling chapter in this year’s national GR Cup story.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors
Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Toyota Financial Services, Garmin, Dunlop, Ferodo and Kinto.
Published by: Karabo Sethusha
MSA Publishes media releases from a host of different sources on our website as a service to the sport. It is not practically possible to vet/approve every release that is published. Some news items and articles are written by correspondents and do not necessarily represent MSA’s views.