Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa is preparing for a significant weekend of national rally competition as it hosts the TGRSA Ermelo Rally on 29 and 30 August. The event will serve as the setting for Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2025 South African National Rally Championship.
In a notable change for the Mpumalanga event, Team Manager Guy Botterill will be returning to the driver's seat of the Toyota Starlet. He will be partnered by his former co-driver, Simon Vacy-Lyle. The pairing has a proven track record, having secured several national titles in the past before Botterill moved into his management role.
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Botterill's return to competitive driving is described as a strategic move to directly evaluate the technical developments made to the Starlet rally car throughout the season. The team has been focused on refining the car’s setup and enhancing its overall reliability.
“We have made good strides with the car in recent events, and I am looking forward to getting back in the seat to experience those developments first-hand,” Botterill commented. “We are expecting a tough, competitive rally, but it is a great opportunity to see where we stand.”
The rally will feature fast gravel routes and technical sections that traverse the farmlands and plantations surrounding Ermelo. Run over two days, the event is considered a key mid-season assessment for the team.
Mandla Mdakane, the regular driver of the Starlet this season, will resume his driving duties for the remainder of the championship after this weekend.
The team anticipates a competitive event with strong local support, as it competes on its home event, the TGRSA Ermelo Rally.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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