Facing our biggest and fastest challenge yet at the Toyota GR Cup: East London's Grand Prix Circuit
Image: Supplied
Here we go again!
The difference this time at Round five of the National Extreme Festival at the East London Grand Prix Circuit this weekend, it's a race we have been looking forward to with some trepidation.
First time
For most of us in the Toyota GR Cup Challenge, this will be our first outing around the 3.92-kilometre track with a mix of fast, sweeping corners like the legendary Potter's Pass and Rifle Bend, and a tight, technical infield with only two real opportunities to pass.
When management at Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) sends out a document taking you on a step-by-step guide around the track and suggesting time on the sim racer, you know things are about to get serious.
It's been a track that we've put in the back of our minds since the season started, precisely because it's so daunting with little to no room for error, but there's nowhere to hide when practice starts first thing on Friday morning.
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With 25 cars in the Toyota GR Cup field focus will be key.
Image: Supplied
Dangerously fast
The talk around the paddock and with colleagues who have gone before us focuses on Potter's Pass, the first corner after the main straight.
Advice varies from going flat-out to a slight lift or dab on the brakes before turning in. Either way, it's still going to be fast, and I'll take my cue from the TGRSA driving instructors when I'm on the sim.
Running out wide onto the apex, it sets you up for Rifle Bend, a kink where the Independent Media/IOL #60 GR Yaris will be doing well over 200km/h, the fastest we have yet driven.
Braking will be a crucial factor throughout the weekend because a hard stomp on the brakes slows you down to 60km/h for Cocobana hairpin, the first possible place to pass (or be passed).
'Brake hard otherwise you're going to the beach,' according to our notes, gives us an idea of what to expect.
The East London Grand Prix Circuit is known to be tough on brakes, tyres and drivers' necks.
Image: Supplied
Complex corners
More hard braking after the Beach Straight for Butts Bend to set up for The Complex, a grouping of sharp left and right turns putting strain on the car, brakes and our necks as you drift out from The Sweep flat out towards Beacon Bend, the final hairpin before the main straight, and the second area to make a pass.
Big field
In theory it looks fine but the GR Cup Challenge with six media racers in our GR Yaris', dealers in GR Corollas, and GR Academy youngsters in their GR 86s make up a field of 25 cars.
So, apart from focusing on my own race, keeping it on the black stuff and monitoring the brakes and tyres, there will be a lot of distracting activity to avoid in order to make the best of what promises to be a daunting weekend.
Bring it on!
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