GQEBERHA - eNCA's Justin Ford will be looking to strengthen his position in the GR Cup Media Challenge standings when the championship heads to the Aldo Scribante Circuit near Gqeberha this weekend for Round 4 of the 2026 season.
The popular Eastern Cape circuit hosts both the GR Cup and South African Touring Cars (SATC) categories, with competitors preparing for another action-packed weekend of racing as the season approaches its halfway mark.
Ford arrives in Gqeberha sitting third in the GR Cup Media Challenge standings on 17 points after three rounds of competition. The eNCA sports reporter has continued to grow in confidence behind the wheel of his Toyota GR Corolla, delivering consistent performances and remaining firmly in the hunt for a top-three championship finish.
The Media Challenge has been dominated by SuperSport's Nabil Abdool, who has won every race contested so far this season and leads the standings on 42 points. News24 Motoring's Craig Nicholson occupies second place on 29 points, while Ford will be looking to close the gap and extend his advantage over the chasing pack.
The battle behind him remains incredibly tight. The shared Kumbi-M on Cars and Khulekani on Wheels entry of Kumbi Mtshakazi and Brandon Jacobs sits just three points adrift on 14 points, while AutoTrader's Tayedza Mbiri follows closely on 13 points, with The Witness and Algoa FM’s Naresh Maharaj on seven points.
The 2.48km Aldo Scribante Circuit is renowned for producing close and entertaining racing, featuring a mix of flowing corners, heavy braking zones and multiple overtaking opportunities. Its exposed layout also means weather can play a significant role, with forecasts suggesting the possibility of light drizzle during Saturday's qualifying and race sessions.
For Ford, the Eastern Cape round presents another opportunity to build momentum in what has already been an encouraging season.
The GR Cup Media Challenge continues to showcase some of South Africa's leading motoring journalists and broadcasters, all competing in identical Toyota GR Corolla’s.
With valuable championship points on offer and unpredictable weather adding another layer of complexity, Ford will be aiming to deliver another composed performance as the 2026 GR Cup season reaches its midpoint.
Round 4 of the 2026 GR Cup season takes place at the Aldo Scribante Circuit near Gqeberha on 26 and 27 June.