Bronze finish in GR Cup finale

ZWARTKOPS RACE: HEAT, RED FLAGS, FIERCE RIVALS COULDN'T STOP FINAL PUSH

- Charl Bosch

(Pictures: Supplied)

"Before you know it, it will be over," was a phrase The Citizen motoring editor Jaco van der Merwe and colleague Mark Jones repeatedly uttered throughout the course of this year's fourth season of the Toyota GR Cup.

The finale at Zwartkops at the weekend was exactly that as, after seven rounds, it drew to a close on the highest note I could have hoped for.

Despite having shown incredible growth throughout the season, I was still hesitant heading into the finale about how I would cope in a boiling office, clothed in my full racing kit, and not being exactly in a 100% healthy condition.

Adding further pressure was the change in programme. As a result of the number of categories taking part, qualifying was scheduled for Friday directly after the three practice sessions instead of Saturday morning ahead of the two races.

Being out first, the feeling was almost perfect right from the first timed lap.

Tasked, again, with bleeding the brakes due to the brand-new Ferodo stoppers fitted, the first two laps were mainly an “accelerate then brake affair” to get the brakes up to pressure.

Glancing at the Garmin Catalyst race timer after a near perfect run drove the message home; a 1.13.8, more than sixth tenths faster than my best lap in all of the sessions last time out.

Knowing I could go faster, I approached the second session in the same manner. However, the script didn't go as planned. With more than 25 cars on the grid again, traffic became a major issue.