🚦Gran Turismo South Africa Kicks Off with a Spectacular Race 1 🚦

Buckle up and get ready for a heart-pounding ride, because the Gran Turismo season has officially roared to life! 

Last week Thursday marked the electrifying kickoff, and the season's shenanigans are already in full throttle, promising an unforgettable journey through the realms of speed and precision.

Race 1 was nothing short of legendary as it unfolded at the iconic WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway. 

Our fearless drivers took their positions behind the wheels of the awe-inspiring Redbull X2014 Junior concept vehicles—a marvel of engineering birthed from the ingenious mind of the legendary Adrian Newey. 

The stage was set for a high-octane showdown, where the battle wasn't just against competitors, but against the very limits of human capability and machine performance.

As engines roared and tires screeched, the drivers faced the ultimate test: mastering the monstrous downforce of these cutting-edge machines while navigating the treacherous elevation changes of the circuit. 

For a grueling 29 laps, they danced on the edge of control, pushing their skills and nerves to the absolute limit. 

The spectators were treated to a spectacle of blistering speed and breathtaking maneuvers, where every twist and turn was a heart-stopping moment of drama and excitement.

The adrenaline-charged atmosphere was palpable, as the racers blazed around the track in a symphony of power and precision. With each lap, the intensity escalated, and the true titans of the track began to emerge, showcasing their mastery over both the vehicle and the unforgiving terrain. This was not just a race; it was a gladiatorial contest of courage, strategy, and unrelenting determination.

Pool 1 saw GhostKilla_Pace taking a measured victory over the rest of the field, with his 1 - stop strategy. Starting at the head of the pack, making it cleanly through Turn 1, was key to formulating the perfect race, not having to deal with the Dirty Air his competitors had to endure behind him.

With 1 win under his built, and more to come potentially, GhostKilla_Pace successfully claims the initial championship lead going into Race 2.

Hot on his heels is SMP3PRO who was trailing not to far behind. Both Drivers have always been in the hunt in Previous Seasons, and look set to keep up the high standard through out this season.

Amidst the euphoria of victory, a storm was brewing behind the scenes, threatening to overshadow the triumph on the track. The aftermath of the race took a dramatic turn as whispers of controversy and discord filled the air, setting the stage for an intense showdown off the circuit.

In a scene reminiscent of a high-stakes drama, the stewards' office became the epicenter of tension and confrontation. Post-race, the air grew thick with anticipation as the Team Principals from APEX and SAM made their way to the hallowed chambers. Their arrival was anything but casual; it was a moment charged with unspoken grievances and unresolved disputes.

As the doors to the stewards' office closed, the atmosphere outside grew palpably tense. Team members and spectators alike exchanged anxious glances, speculating on the nature of the unfolding drama. Inside, the discussions were shrouded in secrecy, but the stern expressions etched on the faces of the Team Principals as they emerged spoke volumes.

The normally unflappable leaders of APEX and SAM now wore the weight of serious deliberations, their countenances reflecting the gravity of the situation. The very essence of sportsmanship and fair play seemed to hang in the balance, as the stewards' decisions loomed large over the future of the competition.

Rumors swirled like wildfire, igniting debates and fueling speculation about what could have transpired behind those closed doors. Were there allegations of foul play? Disputed penalties? The intrigue was irresistible, and the racing community was left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting official statements and resolutions which would come to light in the next few days.

As the dust began to settle, one thing was clear: the drama off the track was proving to be as riveting as the action on it. The beginning of the Gran Turismo season had not only delivered exhilarating races but also a saga of tension, confrontation, and high-stakes diplomacy.

In other news, in both the higher and lower pools, saw some drivers, not making it to neither the starting grid, nor filling their spots up in the paddock, sparking rumours of some Questionable withdrawals from the Gran Turismo South Africa Single seater Season.

Pool 7, with a full roster, only saw 5 drivers compete for Top honours, while other pools had 2 - 3 drivers not making it to the grid.
It seems those without the funding and backing of teams, found it difficult to fit the Financial Bill and Cost Cap, set out in Article 7 of the Gran Turismo South Africa Gazette of 2025.

That being said, we did receive some confirmation that certain drivers time management has unfortunately been overloaded with calls from support series which they are contractually comitted to, as seen below by 3 - time Gran Turismo South Africa Champ, KLM_Pace.

A similar sentiment was shared, by current Gran Turismo South Africa champion, and recently crowned winner of The Toyota Gaming Engine - GT7 Hero Cup, Levitius, whom has confirmed his focus for the first half of the year to the Sim Motorsport Association series, run under Motorsport South Africa banner, and the current Gran Turismo World Series, where he will be flying the flag for South African eMotorsports.

Other speculated drivers have allegedly requested their leave of absence from the paddock from the rest of the season, however we will report further on that once the grid comes together for Race 2.

Speaking of Race 2, The Next feature of the Gran Turismo South Africa championship, is set to take place in one of the picturesque locations that Switzerland has to offer, Circuit de Sainte-Croix Layout A.

With drivers geared up and ready, they've been required to tackle a new edition to the game, the iconic Gran Turismo Formula F-3500-A, a single seater car modelled after the likes of the Early 90s Formula 1 race cars driven by greats like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher in his formative years.

High Powered Machinery, required a delicate finesse around one of the longer circuits on the calendar, will require extreme concentration and consistency from our drivers, who are looking to claim eternal glory!

One thing is for sure, as a fan, and spectator, WE CANNOT WAIT!

As we head to Race 2 of the season, the Pools have been finalized and are available for view on the Gran Turismo South Africa Website Here

            

Keep up to date with where our Drivers will be next.

The race calendar is also set, with some minor tweaks to the race setup and details expected in the coming days. You can get the lowdown on the entire season schedule on the Gran Turismo South Africa Website!

RACE CALENDAR

A reminder, GTSA Shirts are still on sale, this is the last week to get your hand on the 2025 Edition GTSA Team Shirt

Get your hands on this one of a kind kit, before time runs out!

AVAILABLE HERE!

Stay tuned for more updates, and let the battle for Single Seater supremacy begin!

Blogpost by Murray Stalker