If you thought last year’s GR Cup action was spicier than peri-peri chicken wings, think again.


The GR Cup Media Challenge is ditching the GR Corolla and hopping into the feisty, hot-hatch-sized GR Yaris. Yes, the same one that’s been causing a stir in driveways across the country—now primed to cause an even bigger stir on track.


Meanwhile, the GR Cup Dealer Challenge snags the keys to the GR Corolla, ready to show that even the folks who sell you your car can also drive it like they stole it (legally, of course).


Media Challenge: Journos Gone Wild (In GR Yaris Form!)


We all know motoring journalists can talk the talk, but can they still walk the walk when they’ve swapped keyboards for racing boots? This year’s brave bunch includes:

  • Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL) – Known for his quick wit and comebacks.
  • Charl Bosch (Citizen) – Rumor has it he can read a racetrack like a short story—captivating from start to finish.
  • Lawrence Minnie (Auto Trader) – Possibly the most competitive “Minnie” you’ll ever meet.
  • Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) – Word on the street is he can find the racing line even with his eyes closed. We hope he doesn’t try, though.
  • Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) – A man whose last name suggests he’s ready to “knock” out the competition.
  • Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) – Super fast and super fierce, the name says it all.


Expect elbows-out battles, heated rivalries, and enough adrenaline to keep a small country powered for a week. The journos will undoubtedly remind us they know the track’s every turn… because they wrote about it last month of course!


Dealer Challenge: Corolla Chaos and Corporate Rivalries


If you think the real estate agent from down the road can hustle for a sale, you’ve never met a Toyota dealer in a GR Corolla. Talk about driven! This year’s** Dealer Challenge** features:

  • Werner Venter & Theo Brits (NMI Menlyn/Centurion) – Tag-teaming the driver’s seat, so neither one overheats from excitement.
  • Mario de Sousa (Motus) – Usually sells dreams in a showroom; now, he’s chasing them on the track.
  • Paul de Vos & Devon Scott (GR Driving Academy) – With a name like “GR Driving Academy,” you’d think they might have a home-track advantage. Watch out for sneaky fast lap times.
  • Johan Boonzaaier & Rudi Boonzaaier (Waterberg Toyota) – Sharing not just a car but also a last name. Double trouble!
  • Kevin Crowie & Tiaan Combrink (Halfway Toyota) – Rumored to be only halfway to their top speed. We’ll see what happens when they hit maximum velocity.
  • Marius Claasen & Andries de Villiers (Rola Motors) – Dealership-smooth negotiators who might just negotiate a victory.


These are the folks who’ve convinced thousands of buyers to say, “Yes, I want that Toyota!”—and now they’re trying to convince each other who’s fastest in the GR Corolla. Expect sales-pitch-level enthusiasm and an on-track rivalry that might see them slip each other “extended warranty” jibes in the paddock.


GR86 Development Academy: Future Stars or Future Drift Kings?


Continuing to pave the road for South Africa’s next racing prodigies, the GR86 Development Academy returns, offering novices a chance to become the next big thing in motorsport. Names for the 2025 class remain top secret—like the Colonel’s chicken recipe—until further notice. But once announced, these up-and-comers will be chomping at the bit to prove they can hang with the pros (and hopefully not lose any bumpers in the process).


What’s at Stake?

  • Bragging Rights: The ultimate racing currency.
  • Trophies and Title Glory: Who doesn’t love a shiny piece of hardware to show off?
  • Publisher’s Pride and Dealership Dignity: No journalist wants their rival to claim headlines of victory. No dealership wants to be out-sold on the track.


Mark Your Calendars and Cue the Drumroll


The first official event blasts off at Killarney International Raceway on 8 March, right in the heart of the Mother City. If you’re a fan of squealing tires, tight overtakes, and the occasional colorful comment on pit-to-car radio, you won’t want to miss this one. Pack your sunscreen, earplugs, and maybe a stress ball, because it’s going to be a nail-biter from the start.


So there you have it: a new season, new cars, and enough racing action to keep your pulse rate redlined until the checkered flag drops. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite motoring journo or rooting for your local Toyota dealership, the 2025 GR Cup will have you on the edge of your seat, anxiously wondering if you should upgrade to that GR Yaris or GR Corolla for your own driveway.


Just remember: Watch the professionals race them first, so you can enjoy the spectacle… and then decide which new Toyota you’ll want to pilot on your morning commute.


Images : © Toyota