It is going to be a hectic weekend for Toyota Gazoo Racing as it shifts focus to off-road competition, embarking on a demanding double-header this weekend. The team simultaneously kicks off its seasons in both the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) and the National Rally Championship (NRC).
TGRSA begins its NRC campaign in Tzaneen, Limpopo. The NTT Tzaneen National Rally serves as both Round 1 and Round 2 of the championship. The event features six special stages on Friday and six on Saturday, totalling 173 competitive kilometres. The ceremonial start occurs at NTT Toyota Tzaneen at 12:00 on Friday.
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Mandla Mdakane returns to pilot the team's Starlet rally car. For this opening round, Henry Adams steps in as co-driver, replacing Simon Vacy-Lyle who is unavailable due to family commitments. The team targets a solid performance on Tzaneen's varied and rhythmical stages, known for challenging surface changes.
Launching both its rally-raid and rally seasons this weekend, TGRSA emphasises consistency, vehicle development, and securing results. With a blend of new driver pairings and returning contenders, the team aims for a productive start to its 2025 off-road endeavours.
The 2025 SARRC finally gets underway near Bronkhorstspruit after initial rounds were postponed. Scheduling clashes, notably the international South African Safari Rally and flooding affecting the planned Thabazimbi venue pushed the season start into the latter half of the year. The season opener now takes place at Legends Adventure Farm, the same location that hosted the 2024 finale.
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Action begins on Friday, 28 June, with the Falken Wild Peak Prologue at 10:15, setting the start order for Stage 1 (approximately 85 km) commencing at 13:15. Saturday sees competitors tackle two loops of 175 km each (Stage 2 at 08:30 and Stage 3 after a 30-minute de-control at the Designated Service Park). Spectators can access public viewing points or follow crews live using the RallySafe App.
TGRSA fields three GR Hilux IMT EVOs. Guy Botterill, who came within grasp of the 2024 SARRC title, returns with new co-driver, experienced Spaniard Oriol Mena Valdearcos. Young talent Saood Variawa continues alongside French navigator Francois Cazalet, aiming to carry momentum from their recent South African Safari Rally performance. New to the team for 2025 is Portuguese driver João Ferreira, the 2022 European Baja champion, partnered by compatriot Filipe Palmeiro, who brings recent notable successes. Ferreira and Palmeiro will contest select SARRC rounds alongside their World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) commitments with TGRSA.
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