Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is gearing up for a crucial showdown at the Phakisa 400, the penultimate round of the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC). The event, set to take place today and tomorrow at Phakisa Raceway near Welkom in the Free State, promises intense competition as TGRSA aims to extend its lead in the championship standings.
Leading the charge for TGRSA are Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, who top the overall standings with 128 points. After securing three victories this season, including a recent triumph at the INGCO Vaal 400, they are in prime form and eager to maintain their momentum. However, the Phakisa course holds bittersweet memories, as the pair rolled their vehicle during last year's race, costing Lategan a chance at the title due to injury. This time, they’ll be determined to conquer the track and further solidify their dominance.
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Hot on their heels are teammates Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, sitting in second place with 104 points. The duo recently celebrated their first victory of the season at the INGCO Parys 400, and they will be looking to build on this success as they aim to close the gap on the leaders.
Meanwhile, Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk, currently in third with 87 points, have had a mixed season but remain in contention. Their consistency and vast experience will be key as they push for another podium finish.
Young stars Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet have also made impressive strides this season. The 19-year-old Variawa and his French navigator have climbed from 17th to 7th in the standings, thanks to strong performances in Parys. They are eager to continue their rise with a solid showing at Phakisa.
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Toyota’s Hilux IMT EVO vehicles have been the backbone of TGRSA’s success, winning every event so far in 2024. This formidable performance has helped Toyota secure a comfortable lead in the Manufacturer’s Championship, with a commanding total of 542 points.
The Phakisa 400 will be a 'Super Event', kicking off with a 14-kilometre Castrol Qualifying Race at 10:15 this morning. This will determine the starting order for the first stage—a 143-kilometre race beginning at 13:15. The race route will challenge drivers with a mix of technical and fast-flowing sections around the Wesselsbron and Bultfontein areas.
On Saturday, competitors will face two 181-kilometre stages starting at 08:00. The event will conclude with podium celebrations at Phakisa Raceway.
Fans will have the opportunity to watch the action from multiple vantage points along the route. Live updates will be available via the RallySafe app, downloadable from the Google Play Store and iStore.
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In addition to TGRSA’s efforts, the Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Rally-Raid Team will also be vying for success. Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, last year’s Phakisa 400 winners, hope to repeat their triumph, while teammates Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert, currently fourth in the standings, will be looking to make up ground. The NWM Ford team has shown strong pace throughout the season, and they will be keen to finish the season on a high.
As the championship heads towards its climax, the Phakisa 400 promises to be a pivotal event in the battle for 2024 SARRC glory.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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