Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) concluded the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) with a thrilling victory at the KEC Renault 400, held at Legends Adventure Farm near Bronkhorstspruit. This final race of the season saw Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings claim the top spot, while Toyota also secured the Manufacturer’s Award. Beyond this victory, the event served as a vital testing ground for TGRSA as it gears up for Dakar 2025, with team members Giniel de Villiers, Guy Botterill, and Saood Variawa testing Dakar-specific components on the GR Hilux IMT Evo.
Victory Against the Odds
In Stage 1, Lategan and Cummings encountered a serious setback when their GR Hilux IMT Evo suffered a broken driveshaft. Despite this challenge, they persevered, posting the second-fastest time, just a little over a minute behind Fouché and Bertus Blignaut, who were racing a privately-entered Toyota Hilux. Overnight repairs allowed Lategan and Cummings to return to the track for Stages 2 and 3 in top condition, ultimately finishing with a total time of 6:10:13. This performance marked their fifth victory of the season, earning them the 2024 SARRC championship title.
Reflecting on the win, TGRSA’s Team Principal Shameer Variawa commended the team’s perseverance and skill. “We are incredibly proud of Henk and Brett for this outstanding victory, which is a testament to the quality of our vehicles, the commitment of our crews, and the strength of Toyota engineering,” he said. “Our success this season speaks volumes about the hard work that everyone has put in. It’s the ideal momentum to take into Dakar.”
Testing Dakar Components for Future Success
While Lategan and Cummings focused on clinching victory, other TGRSA team members, including veteran Giniel de Villiers and navigator Elvéne Vonk, along with driver Guy Botterill and co-driver Dennis Murphy, were busy testing new Dakar-specific components in preparation for the 2025 rally. Though they weren’t eligible for championship points due to their testing status, de Villiers and Vonk showcased their skill and consistency, recording the fastest time of the weekend at 6:09:13. This impressive time underscores de Villiers’ status as a Dakar legend and highlights TGRSA’s commitment to refining their performance for one of the world’s toughest motorsport challenges.
Botterill and Murphy also displayed competitive times, running among the leaders until they encountered a technical issue that forced them to retire in Stage 2. The minor mechanical glitch, however, didn’t detract from TGRSA’s testing mission. With valuable data collected from both de Villiers’ and Botterill’s runs, TGRSA gains essential insights as they gear up for Dakar. “This race has been critical for us as we prepare for Dakar,” said Variawa. “We’re focused on ensuring that our cars and crews are performing at their absolute best for the challenges ahead.”
An Unforgettable Weekend for Rally Fans
The KEC Renault 400 drew thousands of enthusiastic fans who lined the course to witness rally-raid action up close. Racing conditions were ideal, with cool temperatures and overnight rain on Friday minimising dust levels for Stage 2 on Saturday. This made for a thrilling spectacle, as fans watched the top drivers battle it out under perfect conditions. The cheering crowds and electric atmosphere underscored the enduring popularity of rally-raid racing in South Africa, creating a fitting close to a successful SARRC season.
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s achievements this season were fuelled by the passion and support of the fans. The camaraderie and enthusiasm displayed at the KEC Renault 400 reflected the deep roots rally-raid has within the South African motorsport community. It’s this local support, paired with Toyota’s commitment to pushing boundaries, that sets the stage for TGRSA’s continued success.
Looking Ahead to Dakar 2025
With the South African rally season behind them, Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa now turns its focus to Dakar 2025, where they will take on the world’s most demanding rally-raid event in Saudi Arabia. Representing TGRSA at Dakar will be an elite lineup of South Africa’s finest drivers, all piloting the GR Hilux IMT Evo.
Heading the line-up are Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, car #211, who have been in spectacular form this season, clinching the 2024 SARRC title. They will look to carry this winning momentum to the gruelling landscapes of the Dakar Rally.
Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, car #205, who have demonstrated exceptional skill and tenacity throughout the SARRC season, will also join the team, aiming to make their mark on the Dakar Rally. The pair has consistently delivered strong performances and will be eager to showcase their capabilities on the world stage.
The young duo of Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, car #218, will return to the Dakar, following an impressive season that highlighted their growth and competitive potential. At only 19 years old, Variawa is set to be one of the youngest contenders in the 2025 Dakar, but his rapid rise and resilience make him a formidable opponent.
Rounding out the TGRSA team, Dakar veteran Giniel de Villiers will reunite with his former co-driver, Dirk von Zitzewitz, in car #206. De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz famously claimed victory together at the 2009 Dakar Rally, and their reunion adds a layer of excitement and experience to the TGRSA squad. While Elvéne Vonk has been De Villiers’ navigator throughout the recent SARRC season, the decision to partner with Von Zitzewitz for Dakar 2025 brings a wealth of shared history and understanding that could prove invaluable in the demanding Dakar environment.
As the team heads into Dakar, TGRSA will apply the insights gained from the KEC Renault 400 and the 2024 SARRC season to further improve their vehicle’s performance and durability. The GR Hilux IMT Evo, with its Dakar-specific upgrades, has been fine-tuned to meet the rigorous demands of the Dakar Rally. Toyota’s focus on testing, refinement, and preparation puts TGRSA in an excellent position to compete at the highest level.
