The final round of the 2025 GR Cup unfolded at Zwartkops Raceway last Saturday. With the championship titles in the Media Challenge, Dealer Challenge, and GR86 Development Academy already secured at the previous round in Cape Town, the focus was now for runner-up honours across the three categories.
Although the pressure of the title chase had eased for 2025’s Media Challenge Champion, Nabil Abdool of SuperSport, he remained determined to deliver a swansong performance in his final outing. Abdool reinstated his season dominance by securing overall pole position, with Dealer driver Werner Horn (Malalane Toyota) sharing the front row, and fellow Media Challengers Kyle Kock (Car Magazine) and Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive) sharing the second row.
RACE 1: COMPOSURE UPFRONT
A clean getaway from the start led to clear air ahead, the ideal scenario for the SuperSport man as he surged ahead of the field building a commanding lead. As battles unfolded behind, the focus from the front was on maintaining engine temps, managing the tyres, and controlling the pace to the end of the 8-lap sprint.
Mpyane managed to out-drag Kock for second place, but a post-race appeal ruled the move invalid due to an overtake under yellow flags. Mpayne was handed a 20-second penalty, dropping the TimesLive man down the order and placed Kock in a strong position to secure second overall in the championship.
RACE 2: MANAGING THE MARGIN
Race 2 began under soaring track temperatures, with Abdool once again leading the rolling start and Kock alongside him. Abdool controlled the first half of the race, but by lap 4 his engine temperatures on the SuperSport GR Yaris began climbing into the critical zone.
With mounting pressure from behind, a wide moment at the final corner on lap 5 opened the door for Kock. Abdool fought back into turn 2 but was instantly outpaced down the back straight, a clear sign that the car was not happy.
Abdool’s strategy shifted from push to protection mode to avoid the car spiralling further into limp mode. A red flag on the following lap sealed the order.
Kock claimed Race 2 victory, and the overall weekend win was secured by Abdool on combined times. Meanwhile, The Citizen’s Charl Bosch delivered a standout drive to claim a well-earned podium despite relentless pressure from a recovering Mpyane.
CLOSING OUT SUPERSPORT’S DEBUT SEASON
The finale marked a fitting conclusion for SuperSport’s #11 and driver, Nabil Abdool, who together ended the season with Pole Position, Fastest Lap, and the Overall Win, an outcome reflective of the form displayed throughout the year.
Celebrating the 2025 GR Cup Championship in the same year as the brand celebrates 30 years as a standalone broadcast channel, is a significant milestone for the World of Champions. This campaign delivered growth in an uncharted arena, and a powerful story has emerged that resonates far beyond the results sheet.
SuperSport extends heartfelt thanks to Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa for pioneering a forward-thinking initiative that continues to elevate local motorsport. The GR Cup has grown in stature and significance through fierce competition and storytelling in equal measure.
Congratulations to all drivers, teams, technical crews, sponsors, and supporters for a memorable season of racing.
As the chequered flag falls on the 2025 season, anticipation is building for the next chapter of the GR Cup. Until then, we salute the season that was and look forward to the battles still to come.
FINAL GR CUP SEASON STANDINGS:
1 Nabil Abdool SuperSport
2 Kyle Kock CAR Magazine
3 Phuti Mpyane TimesLive
4 Lawrence Minnie AutoTrader
5 Charl Bosch The Citizen
6 Willem van der Putte IOL/Independent