Back in the hot seat with the Toyota GR Cup

Is strapping yourself into a racing car after a few years like getting back on a bicycle, in that you don't forget how to do it?

Very much so, though in both cases it takes practice to be good at it. 

Along with five other motoring journalists, I was invited by Toyota to compete in this year's Toyota Gazoo Racing Cup and I will be reporting from the hot seat of the TimesLIVE-branded car in each event. The one-make series uses near-standard Toyota GR86 cars that have been tweaked for the rigours of racing with a roll cage, racing brakes and semi-slick tyres.

With the GR 86 cars evenly matched, the drivers will be judged solely on their driving skills.

After missing the first round at Zwartkops due to a prior commitment, my debut is at this weekend's championship second round at Cape Town's Killarney racetrack, with a further five rounds to take place at circuits around the country this year.

The weekend started with Friday's practice sessions which gave us three 20-minute sessions around Killarney to get used to the circuit, and in my case, the car. The other five drivers had all raced at the Zwartkops season-opener where my place in the TimesLIVE car was taken by TimesLIVE's Thomas Falkiner — who promptly won.

Friday's sessions were about re-familiarising myself with a circuit I hadn't driven around for a number of years, and to get used to the car.

Long story short: I was fourth quickest in the first session, fifth in the second, and sixth (i.e. stone last) in the third. Shaking off the metaphorical rust takes a little time but despite my gloomy-looking positions, the race is not won on Friday. The lap times were pretty close and I look forward to improving in Saturday morning's qualifying session, and be in the mix in Saturday's two eight-lap races.

With a bit more practice, it'll be like getting back on a bicycle — or so one hopes,

The other competitors are Mark Jones (Citizen), Brandon Staniforth (Maroela Media), Setshaba Mashigo (ASAMM), Reuben van Niekerk (Jumping Kids/Wheels24), and Chad Luckhoff (Auto Trader). Mashigo, the youngest in the line up, finished second in both heats of the opening round and set the pace in Friday's Killarney practice, so he has a big target on his back.

Stay tuned for my race report after Saturday's shenanigans, and you can follow the racing here

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