TimesLIVE ready for Toyota GR Cup rumble at Red Star this weekend

It's hard to believe that the halfway mark of the year is upon us and with it the fourth round of the 2022 Toyota GR Cup.

On the back of Killarney in February, Zwartkops in April and Aldo Scribante in June, I and the five other motoring journalists selected to represent our titles in this new single-make series will be buckling into our OMP racing seats for a battle around Mpumalanga's Red Star Raceway on Saturday July 2. 

Unlike Gqeberha's Aldo Scribante circuit, Red Star is a track I know quite well. I've raced there countless times behind the wheel of my Taylon 7 in Lotus Challenge and last year I clocked close on 100 laps driving an old Beetle in the 24 Hours of iLamuna.

Endowed with no less than 13 corners and a decent amount of elevation change, this 4.2km circuit is a track that polarises the local racing community: you either love it or you hate it.

Personally, I fall into the first camp as I enjoy how technical and challenging it is. There's always something new to learn and always somewhere you can find a bit more time. Whether my fellow competitors agree remains to be seen. I have no doubt that GR Cup championship leader Ashley Oldfield (cars.co.za) will be at the top of the time sheets again, but hopefully — thanks to my previous experience here — not by much.

Regardless, with a sizeable 12 point lead in his overalls pocket and just three more rounds to go after Red Star, there is little chance of me catching him, so my priority is to concentrate on keeping my second place standing in the championship.

As for our cars, well, the cool Highveld winter conditions should definitely draw the best out of the 1.6l three-cylinder turbocharged engines fitted to each identical GR Yaris. Traction should be excellent as always, though the low ambient temperatures will no doubt come into play during our early Friday morning practise sessions. Timewise, I am expecting the Toyota to be turning optimal laps somewhere in the region of 2:09. 

Again forming part of the prestigious National Extreme Festival, the Toyota GR Cup will be running alongside some of the country's other flagship circuit racing series such as the popular Global Touring Cars (where Toyota Gazoo Racing SA is fielding no less than three purpose-built Corolla challengers), SupaCup and G&H Transport Extreme SuperCars. 

Watch this space (or follow me over on Instagram) for updates as and when they happen.

TimesLIVE

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