Dream machines and high-speed hopes set to bring thrills to East London GR Cup showdown

IMAGINE a perfect world where everyone gets to do the job they love.  What would that job be for you?

You know, that dream job, that occupation that gets you leaping out of bed in the morning, and – at the end of the day – sees you laying your weary head on the pillow with a satisfied grin on your face.

Well, for me, at least in the top three ideal careers, would be a racing driver; yep, feeling that rumble of a powerful engine coursing through you while you’re being tossed around in a cockpit, thanks to elevated g-forces, and hurtling around a race track at ludicrous speeds … that would be Utopia for me.

I came close once, back in the ’90s. I was visiting down in East London and one day found myself on a section of the East London race circuit, near an area the locals refer to as “Leach’s Bay”. 

When my brother, whose vomit green Peugeot 504 I was driving at the time, mentioned this fact, as one can expect, my right foot became heavier, and I started tearing around that part of the track with my brain flooding with endorphins.

That thrill stuck with me – and this weekend, some very lucky drivers will experience it at full throttle!

GR Cup at East London 

Yes, the 2025 GR Cup heads to one of South Africa’s most iconic motorsport venues this weekend, as the East London Grand Prix Circuit plays host to Round 5 of the national series. 

Known for its high-speed layout, flowing corners and storied past, the Eastern Cape circuit promises a stern test for competitors across all three GR Cup categories.

Set alongside the Indian Ocean, the circuit features a dramatic mix of fast, sweeping corners like the legendary Potter’s Pass and Rifle Bend, and a tight, technical infield section referred to as “the complex”. 

The combination of high-speed commitment and the abrasive surface demands the utmost precision and control from the drivers. Fortunately, the weather forecast is favourable, with dry and mild conditions expected throughout the weekend – a relief for drivers, as the circuit can become particularly unforgiving in the wet.

GR Cup Media Challenge

All three GR Cup classes will be in action again at Round 5. In the GR Cup Media Challenge, six of South Africa’s top motoring journalists will return to the grid in their GR Yaris race cars, having made the switch to the updated automatic-transmission model at the third round at Aldo Scribante in Gqeberha. The driver lineup remains unchanged: Nabil Abdool (SuperSport), Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive), Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine), Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader), Charl Bosch (Citizen), and Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL).

Nabil continues to lead the pack, after a flawless season to date, while the rest of the field will be looking to close the gap in East London. While some of these drivers have raced at this circuit before, for most, this will be their first competitive outing at the fast and flowing coastal venue – a factor likely to play a role in Qualifying and early-race pace.

GR Cup Dealer Challenge

The GR Cup Dealer Challenge also returns in full force, with an expanded field of entries that now includes both GR Corollas and manual GR Yaris models. 

This increase in numbers continues to bolster the excitement and depth of the grid, offering even more on-track battles for fans and fellow competitors to enjoy.

GR86 Development Academy

Finally, the GR86 Development Academy remains a cornerstone of the GR Cup, with a selection of promising young drivers using the rear-wheel-drive GR86 platform to hone their circuit racing skills. 

Since the start of the season, this class has delivered some of the most closely fought action of all, and the high-speed nature of East London will be a fresh challenge for the development drivers.

So, with championship momentum and pride on the line, and the promise of a dry, ‘grippy’ track, East London promises a race weekend to remember.