Toyota GR86 (2023) Road vs Race - Attacking the track in the GR86
For each and every crossover that is released, a sports car dies. Not really, but it certainly feels that way. The enthusiast-orientated sports car is dying a slow death as the high-riding, hybrid, cookie-cutter people movers take over. Thankfully, Toyota still knows how to keep us happy.
The Toyota GR86 is the quintessential sports car starter pack - it offers a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout with two doors, a low-slung driving position and a price tag that comes in under R1 000 000... comfortably. It's the best way to get to grips with pure driving engagement in a new car for under a bar. Toyota's passion for creating enthusiast vehicles is clearly seen in their Gazoo Racing offerings that include the GR Yaris, GR Supra, GR86 and GR Corolla.
Related: Toyota GR86 (2022) First Drive Review
In the hands of the enthusiast, the GR86 is able to carve up both roads and track with aplomb and many owners will be keen to exploit the vehicle's dynamic nature through the bends and sweeps offered on a track day. We wanted to see how the GR86 fares on track in road trim and how far off of the stock road-going car the Cup-prepared race car actually is. The results will surprise you!
The GR Cup Championship
Helping showcase the capabilities of the GR86 and GR Yaris is the local GR Cup, modelled after the North American amateur racing series, it sees identical GR products do battle on the race track for victory.
AutoTrader is participating in the 2023 season with Chad Lückhoff behind the wheel of the number 81 car in the GR86 league, taking on members of the media from other motoring publications. This sees him compete against the likes of Mark Jones (Citizen), Denis Droppa (TIMESLive), Brendon Staniforth (Maroela Media), Setshaba Mashigo (ASAMM) and Reuben van Niekerk (Wheels24/Jumping Kids) for championship glory in a 7 round championship.
Lückhoff currently sits third in the Championship after two rounds with the third round taking place at Zwartkops Raceway on 20 May, 2023. He'll be looking to dispatch with the competition and move himself up in the overall standings.
| Date | Location |
| 18 February 2023 | Zwartkops Raceway, GP |
| 18 March 2023 | Killarney Raceway, WP |
| 20 May 2023 | Zwartkops Raceway, GP |
| 17 June 2023 | Aldo Scribante Raceway, EC |
| 22 July 2023 | East London Grand Prix Circuit, EC |
| 9 September 2023 | Killarney Raceway, WP |
| 14 October 2023 | Zwartkops, GP |
