The fourth round of the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) in the scenic Langkloof Valley proved to be a testing ground for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA). The Oudtshoorn to Uniondale route, known for its rugged terrain and challenging conditions, offered little margin for error over the weekend of 19 and 20 September.
The weekend began positively for TGRSA in the 38km prologue, with Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet setting the fastest time overall. Their identical GR Hilux IMT Evo narrowly edged out teammates Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena by just one second, signalling strong form and setting the tone for a competitive Outeniqua 400.
However, Day 1 unfolded as a test of resilience rather than outright speed. Botterill and Mena encountered a puncture and subsequently a navigation error that cost them nearly six minutes, relegating them to 7th overall, 4 minutes 46 seconds behind the leaders. Variawa and Cazalet faced an even tougher challenge: an early puncture compounded by a slow-speed rollover in a tricky corner. Despite escaping unscathed, the incident saw them concede 27 minutes 3 seconds, dropping them to 15th place in the overall standings.
Saturday’s two 178km loops presented the crews with an opportunity to claw back lost ground. The conditions were harsh, and competition was relentless, yet Variawa and Cazalet demonstrated remarkable determination. Clocking consistently competitive stage times, they climbed steadily through the rankings and ultimately secured 5th overall—a significant achievement given the setbacks of Day 1. Preliminary points confirm that Variawa maintains his position at the top of the championship table with just two rounds remaining.
“We had such a good prologue, but the rest of the weekend became an exercise in damage limitation following our roll,” said Saood Variawa. “The car was amazing, and we had a lot of pace, so I think we have a clear advantage over the competition. We’re looking forward to the next race, though there are some international duties before then.”
Botterill and Mena’s challenge escalated when their GR Hilux IMT Evo slid off the road into dense foliage early in the stage, requiring assistance to return to the course. A 10-hour penalty was applied, yet the duo displayed tenacity and skill, pushing hard to finish 11th overall.
TGRSA Team Principal Shameer Variawa commended both crews for their perseverance: “I’m very proud of the team this weekend. It wasn’t an easy outing for us, but despite the challenges, our crews dug deep to fight back and score as many points as possible. In the end, we were disappointed not to be challenging for the win, but happy to leave with solid points in the bag.”
The championship resumes with the penultimate round in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, on 31 October and 1 November, before concluding in Thabazimbi on 21 and 22 November. With the season’s climax approaching, TGRSA will be looking to convert resilience into results and maintain its competitive edge in the hunt for the 2025 SARRC title.
