There is a kind of a gunfight at the OK Corral feel to the buildup to the second round 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), the PS Laser ProMac Vryheid 400, set to take place on May 24 and 25 in the Vryheid area of northern KwaZulu-Natal with both Toyota and Ford throwing plenty of spanners at getting their respective racers ready.
Following a stellar performance at the Nkomazi 400 in Malalane last month, where TGRSA secured a one-two finish, the team is enthusiastic about maintaining their strong start to the season.
Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Elvéne Vonk emerged victorious in Round 1, closely followed by teammates Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy in second place. As they gear up for the next challenge, TGRSA will once again feature their seasoned teams: Henk Lategan with Brett Cummings, Giniel de Villiers with Elvéne Vonk, Guy Botterill with Dennis Murphy and Saood Variawa with Francois Cazalet, all piloting the latest GR Hilux EVO models.
The upcoming Vryheid 400 features diverse and demanding terrains such as farmlands, rocky stretches and scenic landscapes and marks the debut of the Vryheid area in hosting a round of the SARRC.
The event begins with a 14 km Castrol Qualifying Race on Friday, May 24, at 09:30 followed by a 38 km loop for Stage One at 13:00. On Saturday, participants will face Stage Two, a 175 km route starting at 08:00.
After completing this stage once, there will be a mandatory 30-minute service break at the Designated Service Point (DSP) at the airfield before tackling the stage again. The race concludes at the Vryheid Airfield, where the podium ceremonies will also be held.
TGRSA Team Principal Shameer Variawa expressed his excitement for the Vryheid 400, stating: "We are looking forward to the Vryheid 400 and are excited to tackle the new terrain. Our crews have been preparing diligently, and we are confident in their abilities to deliver strong performances. The opening round was a great success, and we aim to build on that momentum this weekend."
Giniel de Villiers currently leads the Overall Championship standings, with Guy Botterill in second. Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings are eager to accumulate points after a challenging first round.
The Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Rally-Raid Team will also compete in Round 2 of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC).
Despite a promising start in Malalane, the team faced minor technical issues which have now been resolved, allowing them to return to the championship fight at this new event.
Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert (#234) showed great pace in their updated Shell-liveried NWM Ford Ranger at the previous race but were hindered by a broken driveshaft, finishing 11th in the Ultimate class. Their performance after the vehicle was repaired suggests they will be competitive in Vryheid.
Reigning champions Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (#200) were contenders for a podium finish in Malalane until a water pump failure forced their retirement. They aim to come back strong at their home event.
NWM Ford team principal Neil Woolridge commented: "The performance of our two cars at the season-opener in Malalane was fantastic and both of the crews were on it right from the start. Unfortunately, we had two separate technical issues which were firsts for us, but we are confident that these have been diagnosed and rectified, and we are looking forward to the prospect of an all-new race in Vryheid."
The NWM-supported privateer team of Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen (#241) will also compete, having finished eighth in the Ultimate class in the opening race.
Fans can track the race action using the RallySafe app, available for download on iOS and Android devices.
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