The 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup concluded with Setshaba Mashigo taking the top spot and Auto Trader’s Chad Luckhoff leaving a lasting impression. The final race was suspenseful, with Luckhoff clinching another victory, securing second place in the championship. The top four finishers have earned the chance to compete in the esteemed 9-Hour endurance race in Cape Town at the close of the year. Plans are already underway for the 2024 GR Cup.
What was the Electrifying Finale of the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup?
The 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup concluded with Setshaba Mashigo taking the top spot and Auto Trader’s Chad Luckhoff leaving a lasting impression. The final race was a suspenseful affair with Luckhoff clinching another victory, securing second place in the championship. The top four finishers have earned the chance to compete in the esteemed 9-Hour endurance race in Cape Town at the close of the year. Plans are already underway for the 2024 GR Cup.
An Exciting Series Wraps Up
The Zwartkops International Raceway witnessed the gripping conclusion of the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup, powered by Netstar, on October 14th, 2023. This enthralling series featured numerous renowned motoring journalists battling it out in GR86 road cars. The contest unfolded across seven thrilling rounds, each consisting of a qualifying session and two racing heats.
Ultimately, ASAMM’s Setshaba Mashigo took the top spot, with Auto Trader’s Chad Luckhoff leaving a lasting impression during the final race weekend. In an incredibly close battle, Mashigo’s quickest time in qualifying was only 0.104 seconds faster than Luckhoff. They were closely followed by Mark Jones (Citizen) and Riaan Esterhuysen (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA), with Denis Droppa (TimesLIVE) and Glenn Crompton (Toyota SA Motors) completing the lineup. Regrettably, Brendon Staniforth, a consistent racer in the Cup, fell sick and could not participate in the final race.
A Weekend of High Drama and Fierce Competition
The weekend’s first race was characterized by high drama due to a significant collision involving GR Yaris drivers, which led to turmoil on the track. Mashigo, unable to dodge the debris from the crash, endured a puncture and subsequently withdrew from the race. This unfortunate development provided Luckhoff with an opportunity to advance, which he grasped wholeheartedly.
Going into the final race weekend, Luckhoff was engaged in a heated battle for second place, with Droppa only a single point ahead and Jones on equal points. The stage was primed for an intense face-off at Zwartkops, and Luckhoff certainly delivered. He finished just ahead of Jones, who led Droppa and Esterhuysen to the finish line. Mario de Sousa, replacing Staniforth, concluded ahead of Crompton after a lively performance from both competitors.
With only one race separating him from securing second place in the championship, Luckhoff knew what was at stake. Nonetheless, Jones and Droppa were still in contention for victory, guaranteeing that the season’s final race would be a suspenseful affair. Unfazed, Luckhoff pushed himself to the brink in his ultimate race, clinching another victory. Esterhuysen secured the second position, followed by Mashigo, Jones, De Sousa, and Crompton. A Turn 2 incident forced Droppa to withdraw from the race.
A Successful Series and a Promising Future
Looking back on the successful series, Glenn Crompton, Toyota SA Motors’ Vice-President for Marketing, expressed contentment with the 2023 GR Cup. As Toyota marks its triumphant return to motorsport, he assured supporters of more exhilarating experiences to come in the future, with plans already underway for the 2024 GR Cup.
Additionally, the top four finishers – Mashigo, Luckhoff, Jones, and Droppa – have earned the chance to compete in the esteemed 9-Hour endurance race in Cape Town at the close of the year.
While the 2023 GR Cup may have reached its conclusion, the excitement of competition and the essence of motorsport endure. Fans around the globe eagerly anticipate the 2024 TGRSA GR Cup season, ready to witness more awe-inspiring moments, intense rivalries, and the unmistakable passion for racing that characterizes this extraordinary series.
1. What was the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup?
The 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup was a motoring competition featuring renowned motoring journalists battling it out in GR86 road cars. The contest ran across seven thrilling rounds, each consisting of a qualifying session and two racing heats.
2. Who won the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup?
Setshaba Mashigo won the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup.
3. Who finished second in the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup?
Auto Trader’s Chad Luckhoff finished second in the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup.
4. What happened during the first race of the final race weekend?
There was a significant collision involving GR Yaris drivers, which led to turmoil on the track. Setshaba Mashigo endured a puncture and withdrew from the race.
5. Who were the top four finishers in the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup?
The top four finishers in the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup were Setshaba Mashigo, Chad Luckhoff, Mark Jones, and Denis Droppa.
6. Who qualified for the esteemed 9-Hour endurance race in Cape Town at the close of the year?
The top four finishers – Setshaba Mashigo, Chad Luckhoff, Mark Jones, and Denis Droppa – qualified for the esteemed 9-Hour endurance race in Cape Town at the close of the year.
7. Who was unable to participate in the final race of the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup?
Brendon Staniforth was unable to participate in the final race of the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s GR Cup due to illness.
8. Are there any plans for the 2024 GR Cup?
Yes, plans are already underway for the 2024 GR Cup.
