The 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) kicks off this weekend near Bronkhorstspruit on 27-28 June, with the Castrol NWM Ford Team confirming a strong three-car entry. This follows the postponement of the season's originally planned start in Vryheid due to flooding.
The season marks Castrol's return as title sponsor for Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM), renewing its association with the team at the premier level of rally-raid. Ford South Africa continues its nearly three-decade partnership as a major sponsor. The team also welcomes bp Ultimate as a new sponsor, supplying its bp Ultimate fuel. Vedacit, Ford Credit, Mastercraft Tools, Sparco, and Veldskoen return as sponsors, alongside technical partners Brembo, NTN, and Tiger Wheel & Tyre.
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The team will campaign the NWM Evo Plus Ultimate, designed and built by Neil Woolridge Motorsport in Pietermaritzburg using nearly thirty years of rally-raid expertise. The vehicle is powered by Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Team principal Neil Woolridge noted the 2024 season, which introduced the Ranger Ultimate, served as a "crucial learning year". He confirmed significant off-season work focused on refining the cars for increased robustness and capability.
Leading the Castrol NWM Ford Team's challenge in the FIA Ultimate/T1+ class are the 2023 SARRC champions, Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer. The duo, partnered since 2014, secured their title with three wins and six podiums across seven rounds last season.
They are joined by experienced Brazilian competitors Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea. The pair bring multiple Brazilian Cross Country Championship titles (five for Baumgart, three for Cincea) and a 2019 South American championship win. "The level of competition here is very high, and we are sure it will be an incredible year," Baumgart stated. "We love racing in Africa and it is a privilege to be part of the Neil Woolridge Motorsport team once again."
Completing the official team entry are Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen. Previously an NWM-supported privateer entry, their NWM Evo Plus is now fully integrated within the Castrol NWM Ford Team. Prinsloo and Vermeulen demonstrated potential in 2023, finishing 10th overall in the T1+ category.
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Tarryn Knight, General Manager of Marketing at Ford South Africa, commented: “We are delighted to be continuing this association with NWM in the competitive South African Rally-Raid Championship, and welcoming Castrol as the team’s title sponsor, along with bp Ultimate and the other sponsors and partners for this year. Motorsport is a key brand-building pillar for the Ford Ranger, emphasising its capabilities, quality and reliability.”
Expressing confidence ahead of the Bronkhorstspruit start, Neil Woolridge concluded: “We are in a position to fight for race wins and the championship once again this year. All three crews and sponsors know the importance of getting off to a good start and our recent success at the Sun City W2RC event gives us the belief that we are ready for the challenge ahead.
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