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The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota GR Cup reaches its most important round at Zwartkops
The halfway point in this year's championship returns to the Highveld for the first time since May, and where it all began for the participating media. The previous round at Aldo Scribante saw the debut of the revised GR Yaris complete with the new eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission and more powerful 1.6-litre engine. Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing An expected level playing field will most certainly not be applicable at this weekend's fourth round of the Toyota GR Cup. A month after the last round at Aldo Scribante, and second to use the upgraded Yaris fitted with the more powerful G16E-GTS three-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT), the championship moves to where to current crop of motoring media's racing careers started, the Zwartkops Raceway outside Pretoria. Driven yes, but not in anger Unlike the shakedown test and getting to grips with the intricacies of motorsport back in March, the art of racing at high speed and in close proximity to other cars has no longer become scary and intimidating, but often personal and a thrill. The fourth round of the series, and also of the National Extreme Festival, serves as the first visit back on the Highveld since Kyalami in May, and, unlike the actual driving encompassing practice, qualifying and two races, comes with a different challenge. Besides being the home of the Toyota GR Academy, and therefore taking place before the brand's high-ranking executives, the supposed level playing field is unlikely to be of concern for the following reasons. ALSO READ: Return to home ground counts for little in Toyota GR Cup thriller While all of the media have had experience of the circuit either during the shakedown and/or on the simulator, racing at full tilt will be something new. During the former, the grid was frequented by only the six media GR Yaris' and two GR Corollas driven by GR instructors Paul de Vos and Devon Scott. This time around, the field will include the GR Academy GR86s and the selected GR dealers campaigning the GR Corollas to make about over 20 entrants. Zwartkops: A proper challenge Along with the tight and fast confines of Zwartkops compared to Aldo Scribante or Killarney, the challenge is much greater as either panel bashing will take place, or in the worst possible case, making a new friend called armco barrier. Notwithstanding being under the microscope of Toyota's top brass, the circuit itself has proven over time to be unforgivable. Admittedly, no longer the fast challenge of the old track torn up nearly three decades ago, the focus on being a spectator spectacle means there is no place to hide when you get it wrong. Whereas the first corner is taken flat or accompanied with a lift, getting the turn two hairpin right presents a surprising challenge. Despite appearing as easy as hitting brakes and flicking the paddles, or leaving the 'box to its own devices, getting it right will depend on the method of entry of the car in front, your entry line and whether you are prepared to risk it all for an overtake on the inside. The backstraight 'complex' of turns three and four come next. Also flat, the latter remains the most daunting as it requires the biggest decision; take it at full chat and possibly risk going off, or lift and lose speed or even a place. From here, the short track up the hill to turns five and six past Toyota GR Academy HQ demands not only confidence in braking, but trust in the driver next to you should you enter it side-by-side. Always the scene of accidents ranging from panel bashing to being beached in the outside gravel bed, the skillset in getting it right will pay-off heading down through turn seven and into another flashpoint, the final turn eight hairpin. Another corner that requires patience and not being a last moment hero, getting enough drive will have the benefit of latching on to the car ahead and hopefully with enough momentum for an overtake either at turns one or two. Learning not done What's more, the second race with the self-shifting GR Yaris will be another learning curve as shakedown took place with the previous generation fitted with the six-speed manual 'box. Although likely to be easier given the lack of a clutch pedal, it still remains a new car and thus, will most probably be understood in full come the next round in East London in July. For the moment though, the halfway marker in the championship will still be important for The Citizen, who lies fifth in the series after five fifth place finishes and one sixth. Still on target Runaway championship leader Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) has so far not been beaten and arrives at Zwartkops with a full house of points (42), having one six out of six so far. CAR Magazine's Kyle Kock sits second on 29 and TimesLive's Phuti Mpyane third on 25. AutoTrader's Lawrence Minnie occupies fourth on 18 ahead of yours truly on 11 and IOL/Independent's Willem van der Putte on 7. Although far from being balanced on a knife edge, the expectation to do well, not embark on an argy-bargy spell at Toyota's home event, and still give it everything will be top of mind when the lights go out on Saturday (21 June). NOW READ: Kyalami deals cruel hand to The Citizen in Toyota GR Cup

Associated Press
23-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Perma Power LLC of Louisiana Announces Expanded Backup Power Solutions to Protect Businesses from Outages
Perma Power Generators, a leader in backup power solutions, announces its latest initiative to help businesses safeguard operations against unexpected power failures. As extreme weather and grid failures rise, the company expands its services with tailored backup solutions to minimize downtime and financial risk. United States, February 23, 2025 -- Businesses Face Growing Risks from Power Failures Power outages continue to impose significant financial burdens on U.S. businesses, leading to billions in losses annually. A single blackout can result in revenue disruption, equipment damage, and safety concerns. Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail face regulatory challenges when power is lost, making reliable backup solutions more critical than ever. Perma Power LLC is expanding its approach beyond traditional generator solutions. The company now offers advanced consultation services, predictive maintenance, and rapid-response support to ensure businesses can maintain operations under any conditions. Innovative Backup Power Technologies for Enhanced Reliability Perma Power LLC is leading the way in backup power resilience by incorporating advanced technologies into its service offerings. Key enhancements include: Hybrid Generator Solutions with Solar & Battery Storage Businesses are increasingly adopting hybrid power systems that integrate standby generators with solar energy and battery storage. These systems reduce fuel dependency and provide enhanced resilience during extended outages. AI-Powered Monitoring & Predictive Maintenance New AI-driven remote diagnostics enable businesses to monitor generator performance in real time. Predictive maintenance alerts help prevent system failures before they occur, reducing downtime and operational costs. Cloud-Based Generator Controls Businesses can now track fuel levels, system health, and operational efficiency through mobile apps and web-based platforms. This remote accessibility ensures proactive management and rapid response to potential issues. Parallel Generator Systems for Scalable Power Instead of relying on a single large generator, businesses can deploy multiple smaller units running in parallel. This approach increases redundancy, improves reliability, and allows power output to scale according to demand. Advanced Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Technology Modern ATS units prioritize power distribution, ensuring that critical loads receive power first. This intelligent switching mechanism optimizes energy use during outages. Load Shedding Technology Perma Power LLC now integrates systems that dynamically adjust power loads based on demand. This extends generator runtime and ensures that essential operations remain powered in high-demand situations. Businesses Already Benefiting from Perma Power's Advanced Solutions The expansion of Perma Power LLC's services follows a series of successful implementations that have saved businesses from significant financial losses. A recent installation at a commercial facility in Louisiana prevented substantial revenue loss during a 36-hour blackout. By leveraging Perma Power's expert planning and hybrid power strategies, the facility remained fully operational while competitors suffered costly downtime. Industries that depend on uninterrupted power, such as healthcare, data centers, and manufacturing, are increasingly turning to Perma Power LLC to integrate resilient backup power solutions that address their unique operational needs. Perma Power LLC Urges Businesses to Prioritize Backup Power Preparedness As climate-related disruptions and grid vulnerabilities grow, Perma Power LLC is urging businesses to take a proactive approach in securing backup power. The company's expanded services ensure that organizations can maintain uninterrupted operations, safeguard revenue, and protect critical infrastructure. 'At Perma Power LLC, we are embracing hybrid power solutions that integrate generators with solar and battery storage for greater resilience. With AI-driven remote monitoring and predictive maintenance, businesses can reduce costs, prevent downtime, and stay powered no matter what.' — Anthony Marullo III, CEO, Perma Power LLC For businesses seeking customized backup power strategies, Perma Power LLC offers expert consultations and tailored solutions to meet their operational demands. About Perma Power LLC Perma Power LLC is a leading provider of high-performance backup power solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The company specializes in integrating advanced generator technology with solar energy, battery storage, and AI-driven monitoring systems. With a commitment to reliability and innovation, Perma Power LLC ensures businesses remain operational during outages, natural disasters, and grid failures. Facebook: Perma Power Generators Instagram: @permapowerllc Media Contact Anthony P. Marullo III CEO, Perma Power LLC Website: Phone: 985-257-6937 Phone: 985-257-6937 Email: [email protected] Contact Info: Name: Anthony P. Marullo III Email: Send Email Organization: Perma Power Generators If there are any deficiencies, problems, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release that require attention or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we encourage you to notify us without delay at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). 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