The GR Cup drivers descended upon Killarney International Raceway for Round 6 of the National Extreme Festival, the penultimate round of the 2026 season.
After a week of rain, the weather cleared to provide near-perfect conditions for racing, with only the wind making Friday’s practice sessions slightly challenging.
With the championship entering its final two rounds, SuperSport’s Nabil Abdool arrived in Cape Town firmly in contention for the 2026 GR Cup Media Challenge title. The Dealer Championship was even tighter, with Devon Scott trailing NMI’s Werner Venter by just two points.
FRIDAY PRACTICE
It was a positive opening day for Abdool, who was already around a second quicker than his Round 1 pace at Killarney earlier in the year, despite running on older tyres. While Abdool led the Media Challenge, the Dealer drivers continued to set the overall benchmark, with Scott particularly strong in the Academy Corolla.
“The GR Corolla DAT has felt fantastic throughout the three sessions. We’ve been fastest in class, but the dealer drivers have set the benchmark, particularly Devon Scott driving the Academy Corolla.
“The upgraded brakes on the GR Yaris are paying dividends, as is evident with Venter and De Sousa on the sharp end. Nicholson is also fired up with top-four pace in FP3!”
Abdool ended Friday second overall, with Scott setting the fastest time of 1:24.378, just three-tenths ahead.
“There’s still a bit of head-scratching to do tonight as we look for those final tenths ahead of qualifying tomorrow. The margins are going to be super tight between the top five!”
THE BATTLE FOR POLE POSITION
Cooler Saturday morning temperatures provided ideal conditions for the turbocharged machinery, while the 22-car field was split into two groups, giving the leading 11 drivers just seven minutes to set their best times. The Dealer drivers opted for fresh tyres as they chased the best possible starting positions.
Abdool initially battled with traffic and on his final run delivered when it mattered, claiming his fifth consecutive overall pole position with a 1:23.882. Scott qualified second with a 1:24.308, followed by NMI Toyota’s duo of Venter and Britz on the second row, with Nicholson and De Sousa completing the third.
With Abdool on pole and Scott alongside him, fans were in for another battle between the SuperSport and Academy Driving GR Corolla’s.
A WEEKEND OF REMEMBRANCE
Before racing got underway, the entire Killarney paddock observed a moment of silence in memory of SATC driver Robert Wolk, who had tragically passed away earlier in the week. It was a fitting tribute from a racing community mourning one of its own, before the sound of the Extreme Supercars returned to the circuit and the day’s programme got underway in his honour. The Astron Energy Polo Cup was next on the schedule, with the GR Cup set to follow.
However, following an incident involving Marcel Angel’s Ferrari at Cape Town Corner, the circuit fell silent once again as the safety car made its way to the scene. As the paddock waited for news, it became clear that the motorsport community had suffered another devastating loss. Following the incident, the decision was taken not to continue with the remainder of Saturday’s racing.
It was a deeply difficult end to the weekend, as the motorsport community came together to remember two men who gave so much to the sport they loved.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wolk and Angel families, and with everyone who knew and loved Robert and Marcel.
The final round of the 2026 season will take place at Zwartkops Raceway on 17 October.