Platinum Wheels’ Jean Pierre van der Walt is set to make his Global Touring Cars (GTC) SupaCup circuit debut at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit this week (23-25 February) despite competing in his second season of the championship.

Van Der Walt is no stranger to the Johannesburg circuit, though, having competed in the 2019 and 2020 Volkswagen Motorsport Support race and the 2022 Festival of Motoring Speed Challenge, where he triumphed in the Supercar B class. The GTC and GTC SupaCup comprise one of six support categories for the Joburg Kyalami 9-Hour event, where Van Der Walt hopes to begin his championship campaign positively. The Johannesburg businessman will also look to improve on his 2022 championship standing, where he finished in eighth position.

“Strange to think that it will be my third Kyalami event and yet my first in a Volkswagen SupaPolo,” said van der Walt. “Not sure how much of an advantage it is, if any, to have been there before, as the cars I’ve driven are all different. Regardless, I’ll give it my all with a full season behind me now. If we factor in the chance of rain, it should be an interesting few days.”

PRACTICE, QUALIFYING & RACE PROGRAMME

• Thursday, 23 February - Practice 1 - 09:20

• Thursday, 23 February - Practice 2 - 14:20

• Friday, 24 February - Qualifying - 08:55

• Friday, 24 February – Race 1 - 13:45

• Saturday, 25 February – Race 2 - 10:40

The event promoter will make online and television broadcast information available closer to the weekend.