VRYHEID, South Africa, 26 May 2024 – The inaugural Vryheid 400, Round 2 of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), held on 24 and 25 May in the northern KwaZulu-Natal town, offered competitors a thrilling and demanding experience. Sponsored by PS Laser Promac, the event was a mix of triumph and challenge for the Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Rally-Raid Team, which came heartbreakingly close to securing a podium finish.
The two-day event kicked off flawlessly for the EcoBoost-powered, Shell-sponsored NWM Ford Rangers. Reigning SARRC champions Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (#200) set a strong pace by winning the 15km qualifying sprint on Friday morning, with teammates Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert (#234) right behind them, clocking the second-fastest time, just 3 seconds adrift.
The 38km race loop in the afternoon saw Gareth and Boyd finish the day second overall, trailing the Toyota of Guy Botterrill and Dennis Murphy by only 25 seconds. Lance and Kenny secured third place, a mere 14 seconds behind their teammates, positioning the NWM Ford crews advantageously for Saturday’s first 174km race loop.
Saturday’s race started with Gareth and Boyd in hot pursuit of the leading Toyota, but their charge was hindered by severe dust and brake issues. A loose brake caliper bleed nipple leaked fluid, forcing a stop to bleed the brakes. Compounding their woes, a brake pipe failure led to a complete loss of brake pressure, bringing their car to a halt in a forest section. After making repairs, they continued, but the time lost relegated them to seventh in the Ultimate class and eighth overall by the race’s end.
Despite the setbacks, Gareth remained optimistic. “The car was fantastic all weekend, and although brake issues cost us a top result, it’s encouraging to have some championship points. We’ll come back stronger next time.”
Lance and Kenny faced similar brake issues on Saturday’s first loop, with a loose brake line connector in the cabin. They lost significant time addressing the problem but resumed with determination. By the designated service park (DSP) stop, they were within striking distance of the third-placed Toyota of Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk. Despite a spirited final push, they narrowly missed the podium by just 10 seconds.
“It was a tough race that started promisingly,” Lance reflected. “The brake issue was frustrating, but the car performed brilliantly. We showed our pace in qualifying and in the race despite the challenges, and we earned some valuable points.”
NWM Team Principal Neil Woolridge expressed mixed emotions. “We were set for top results after leading qualifying and holding strong positions on Friday. Both crews were fast on Saturday, but brake issues cost us potential top-two finishes. Nevertheless, the car’s setup and performance were commendable in tough conditions.”
The NWM-supported privateer team of Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen (#241) also displayed resilience, finishing 11th in the Ultimate class and 14th overall despite technical difficulties.
The next challenge for the teams is the three-day, 1,000km Toyota Gazoo Racing Marathon Race in the Waterberg region near Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province, from 21 to 23 June 2024.
