Round 2 of the National Extreme Festival descended on Redstar Raceway this past weekend.
Overcast skies set a moody tone as Friday’s free practice sessions built momentum toward a high-stakes Raceday on Saturday.
Toyota Gazoo Racing arrived in force with a 24-car field of its finest GR machinery, split across the Academy, Dealer, and Media classes. The Media contingent, now armed with the 2026 GR Corollas, were eager to unleash their paddle-shift machines around the narrow, technical Mpumalanga circuit.
THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN
SuperSport’s Nabil Abdool led the charge during free practice, setting early class benchmarks. However, Abdool’s ambitions stretched beyond his own category; he had his sights firmly set on the front-running Driving Academy Corolla of Devon Scott.
“Devon is a formidable force on track," Abdool noted. "I had to showcase this new package, and the best way to do that was to take aim at the maestro himself.”
While Scott topped the timesheets in FP1 and FP2, Abdool responded in the final session, edging ahead by the narrowest of margins to set the stage for a volatile qualifying.
QUALIFYING: PRECISION UNDER PRESSURE
Qualifying proved to be the most unpredictable session of the weekend. Overnight rain had left the circuit damp, and since the GR Cup field was the first to take to the track, grip was at a premium on the Dunlop semi-slicks.
The session was thrown into chaos by a red flag, which left Abdool without a representative lap time as the clock ticked down. As the field scrambled to restart, Abdool hunted for clear air among the 24-car pack. To make matters worse, a light drizzle began to fall just as the session neared its end.
In a "do-or-die" final push, Abdool delivered under immense pressure, clocking a flyer that secured overall pole position.
RACE 1: A POINT TO PROVE
By the start of Race 1, the clouds had parted. Clear skies and a dry surface greeted the field for the six-lap sprint. Abdool successfully parried an early challenge from Scott before reeling off a succession of rapid laps to build a commanding lead.
Abdool claimed the overall victory and the fastest lap of the weekend. In the Media Class standings, News24’s Craig Nicholson secured second, followed by Kumbi Mtshakazi in third - both drivers displaying impressive adaptability despite the shifting conditions.
RACE 2: A FIGHT TO THE FLAG
Race 2 delivered a classic head-to-head duel. Scott found a gap on the opening lap, forcing Abdool into a strategic chase that lasted the duration of the heat. The battle between the SuperSport and Driving Academy Corollas kept spectators on their feet, with the pair crossing the finish line separated by a mere 0.4 seconds.
Just behind the lead duel, a secondary brawl erupted between Nicholson and Mtshakazi. Having started ahead, Mtshakazi fought valiantly to hold his position, but the News24 man managed to reclaim the runner-up spot at the midway point.
RAISING THE BAR
The weekend served as a resounding endorsement of the new GR Corolla. As the season gains traction, the performance ceiling for the 2026 package continues to rise.
“This weekend was about more than Media v Media," Abdool reflected. "I wanted to challenge the status quo. We proved what this package is capable of; Toyota can be proud of the new GR-Four Corolla.”
While the SuperSport entry retains the No 1 spot in the Media Championship, Abdool remains cautious with five rounds still to play:
“We can’t afford to get comfortable. Anything can happen in this sport, so we will continue pushing the limits.”
The Media drivers faced their toughest challenge yet this round. Navigating varying track and weather conditions highlighted the importance of managing temperatures and driving style to maintain a consistent pace. These strategic lessons will be vital for the upcoming rounds, especially as the series moves toward the coastal circuits at the half-season mark.
Next Stop: The GR Cup now heads to Toyota Gazoo Racing HQ at Zwartkops Raceway on 23 May.