We get Podium in the GR Cup Round 2
After the challenging experiences I had at Killarney, I was determined to improve my performance at Kyalami. After completing over 300 kilometres on Assetto Corsa, I felt geared up to take on the track in real life. Sim racing and actual racing are two completely different experiences, and I was eager to put my skills to the test. Kyalami would have a whole new dynamic this time. With 5 dealer-driven Toyota GR Yaris' added to the mix, the track would be buzzing with intense traffic. It would require me to exercise extra caution.
Thursday marked the beginning of our practice, and we kicked off with our first session at 14:00. Despite a fantastic start with two impressive laps, I unfortunately had to sit out the remainder of the session due to a clutch failure. I made another mistake by pushing the car too hard and using the wrong gears in certain corners. I would require the mechanics to dedicate the remainder of the afternoon to replacing my clutch, ensuring that I can participate in practice and qualifying on Friday, and most importantly, compete in the race on Saturday.
Friday arrived, and the car was primed and prepared for action. We had an exhilarating start to the day, being the first ones on the track at 07:00. The competition was fierce, with Alex Shahini of CAR magazine narrowly beating Sean Nurse of Autotrader to claim the top spot. Hannes Visser was hot on their heels, followed closely by Jaco vd Merwe in fourth and Bernie Hellberg in fifth. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with the pace and finished last. Undeterred, I was determined to give it my all during the qualifying round on the track, and that's exactly what I did. With valuable input from Alex Shahini, who had clearly found his rhythm and pace before Sean, I secured fourth place in qualifying. Jaco vd Merwe and Bernie Hellberg completed the grid, giving me a significant mental boost for the upcoming race.
With the grid set, it was going to be a fierce competition to pass the GR Yaris’ and other GR Corolla’s ahead. My plan was to secure an impressive lap time for the second race. While Alex, Sean, and Hannes were fiercely competing at the front, I held my ground in 4th position. However, on lap 4, an inexperienced error on my part allowed Jaco vd Merwe to seize the opportunity and overtake me. At the front, Hannes Visser encountered an unfortunate incident when his Powerbrakes failed, causing a nerve-wracking moment and a stark reminder of the dangers of motorsport. Fortunately for Hannes, the safety harness in our cars ensured his protection no matter the force of the impact. Consequently, the race was abruptly called off and I crossed the finish line in 5th place, brimming with confidence for the upcoming race.
In the second race, Alex found himself in pole position once again, with Sean right on his tail. Meanwhile, I started in fourth place behind Jaco vd Merwe, as Hannes unfortunately couldn't participate in the second race. A fierce competition unfolded between Sean and Alex on the first lap. With Sean's impressive racing background, he would quickly secure the first position. Meanwhile, I found myself in fourth place, engaged in a thrilling battle with Johann Snyman and his GR Yaris. Jaco vd Merwe faced a challenging task if he wanted to secure a spot on the podium, as we were hot on his tail. As the laps flew by, Alex found himself in the barriers when his Powerbrakes failed on him at the same turn Hannes had also had an incident. With lightning-fast reflexes, he skillfully manoeuvred his GR Corolla to ensure that the passenger side of his GR Corolla would face the barriers, escaping unharmed. Due to this, my fourth position would be transformed into a well-deserved third place position, and this would mean that I had secured third overall and my first podium in the GR Cup.
With 5 more rounds to go, I've discovered a newfound confidence and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself on the track in my race-ready GR Corolla. The upcoming race at Zwartkops on the 17th and 18th of May is going to be intense. Hannes Visser, Alex Shahini, and Bernie Hellberg are definitely going to bring their A-game to our home track. But then again, so will I.
GR Cup Points after Round 2
- 1. Sean Nurse – 28
- 2. Alex Shahini – 17
- 3. Hannes Visser – 14
- 4. Jaco vd Merwe – 11
- 5. Bernie Hellberg – 10
- 6. Kumbi Mtshakazi - 9
