Riding with Reubs: Buckle up, I'm tackling the Toyota GR86 Cup while doing it for Jumping Kids

Earlier this year, I got a call asking if I would like to participate in the 2023 Toyota GR Cup series. As a lifelong motorsport enthusiast, it didn't take me long to say yes.

This year's Toyota GR Cup will see six journalists race against each other in identical Toyota GR86 cars that have been specially prepared for the project.

The Toyota GR86 is a front-engined, rear-wheel drive coupé that has been designed with driving pleasure in mind. It is, therefore, the perfect car for racing.

Preparations included a performance exhaust to ensure the correct soundtrack, and a gearbox oil cooler. Exterior modifications were limited to a Toyota Gazoo Racing livery and the addition of a rear wing.

Inside, all the seats have been removed and replaced by a full roll cage, a five-point racing harness and an OMP racing seat, in the interests of safety. Braking has been upgraded to stand up to the rigours of track use with the fitment of a bespoke locally developed kit from Powerbrake, and the cars are running Dunlop semi-slick tyres.

While the project came together relatively fast and the cars were built in lightning-quick time, we were fortunately afforded some practice time before the first race at Zwartkops Raceway in Centurion. Very quickly it became evident that the GR86 was an extremely fun car to drive but that it would take precision and a careful plan to put down fast lap times, with the car requiring a "smooth is fast" approach.

Going racing

With a couple of practice sessions under the belt, the first race day at Zwartkops arrived, and with it, my first taste of a full-on racing experience. The first practice session saw me improve considerably on my lap times, but so did everyone else, and I was placed sixth, with four of us