Autotrader returns to GR Cup action
The 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA GR Cup is set to kick off with an exciting new season, featuring changes to both the GR Cup Media Challenge and GR Cup Dealer Challenge. As the premier platform for competitive racing in near-production Toyota performance vehicles, the GR Cup will once again push drivers to their limits across some of South Africa’s most iconic circuits.
This year, the GR Cup Media Challenge introduces a major shift as competitors move from the GR Corolla to the dynamic and engaging GR Yaris, enhancing the challenge for the country’s top motoring journalists. Meanwhile, the GR Cup Dealer Challenge will shift to the GR Corolla, ensuring another thrilling season of competition among Toyota South Africa’s GR-focused dealer network.
Adding further excitement to the 2025 season, the GR86 Development Academy will once again form part of the GR Cup structure, offering up-and-coming drivers a chance to showcase their skills in a competitive environment. The Academy’s driver lineup will be announced at a later stage.
GR Cup 2024 headed to AutoTrader!
GR CUP Media Challenge
The Media Challenge welcomes a fresh lineup of experienced motoring journalists, each representing some of the country’s leading automotive publications. The six media competitors who will take to the track in the GR Yaris are:
- Willem van de Putte (Independent Media/IOL)
- Charl Bosch (Citizen)
- Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader)
- Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive)
- Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine)
- Nabil Abdool (SuperSport)
Last season, AutoTrader's own Sean Nurse took overall victory, clinching the title. This year, Lawrence Minnie will be campaigning a GR Yaris, representing AutoTrader in seven exciting rounds on South Africa's most prestigious racetracks.
GR Cup Dealer Challenge
Returning to the grid, now in the GR Corolla, the Dealer Challenge will once again see Toyota’s top dealerships battling for top honours. This year’s lineup features familiar names, with several teams opting for a shared drive strategy.
The 2025 GR Cup Dealer Challenge competitors are:
- Werner Venter & Theo Brits (sharing the NMI Menlyn/Centurion car)
- Mario de Sousa (Motus)
- Paul de Vos & Devon Scott (sharing the GR Driving Academy car)
- Johan Boonzaaier & Rudi Boonzaaier (sharing the Waterberg Toyota car)
- Kevin Crowie & Tiaan Combrink (Halfway Toyota)
- Marius Claasen & Andries de Villiers (sharing the Rola Motors car)
As the 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA GR Cup season approaches, anticipation is building for another year of high-intensity racing, thrilling battles, and standout performances. With the Media Challenge moving to the GR Yaris, a highly competitive Dealer Challenge grid, and the return of the GR86 Development Academy, fans can expect an action-packed season filled with surprises.
*The first event of the season is set to take place at the Mother City's Killarney International Raceway on 8 March, where the new lineup of drivers will take to the track for the first time in their respective categories. Follow the AutoTrader socials for exciting information and competitions from each round. You can also follow our AutoTrader driver on Instagram @grdriver_17 for all the action from the series.
