PRETORIA, South Africa, 28 October 2025 – The 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) heads into its penultimate round with stakes higher than ever as competitors prepare for the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 on 31 October and 1 November. Originally postponed due to flooding earlier this year, the KwaZulu-Natal event returns with a challenging mix of forest roads, farmland tracks, and mountainous terrain that promises to push both drivers and machines to their limits.
For the Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team, momentum is firmly on their side following a stellar double podium at the Outeniqua 400. That performance tightened the championship standings and set the stage for a dramatic showdown in Vryheid.
Woolridge and Dreyer Lead the Charge
Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer remain at the forefront of the championship hunt, sitting just four points behind leaders Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet. Despite contending with three punctures at Outeniqua, their second-place finish underscored their resilience and skill, reducing the gap at a crucial juncture in the season.
With 96 points in both the Overall and Ultimate FIA T1+ Championship standings, Woolridge is tied with Giniel de Villiers in the Ultimate FIA T1+ Drivers’ rankings. The pair will be looking to convert their recent consistency into a winning push at Vryheid, where experience, composure, and strategic navigation will be vital.
Team Principal Neil Woolridge highlighted the significance of the team’s recent results: “Our focus on improving reliability and performance has really paid off, and the results in Outeniqua proved that the hard work is delivering where it counts. The team has great energy at the moment; there’s belief, determination, and a real sense of unity as we head into these crucial final stages of the championship. Experience will count for a lot in the next two rounds and it’s vital that we remain focused and composed under pressure. Everyone knows what’s at stake, and we’re up for the challenge.”
Baumgart and Cincea Shine
Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea produced their best outing of the season at the Outeniqua 400, securing third place and contributing to the team’s double podium. Their consistent pace and precise navigation now see them fifth in the Overall Drivers’ standings, providing depth to the NWM squad’s championship ambitions.
Meanwhile, Wors Prinsloo and André Vermeulen are determined to bounce back after an early exit at Outeniqua caused by a driveshaft issue. Following a career-best podium in the previous round, the pair is eager to reclaim lost ground, currently sitting ninth in the Overall Drivers’ standings.
Vryheid 400: The Ultimate Test
The Vryheid 400 is widely regarded as a true driver’s challenge. Based at Vryheid Airfield, which serves as the Designated Service Point (DSP), Start/Finish, and Race Headquarters, the event will test competitors across varied terrain—from high-speed forest tracks to technical mountainous trails and rugged farmland roads.
Friday, 31 October, sees the event commence with a 15 km Falken Wild Peak Prologue at 09:30, followed by a 52 km Stage One at 13:00. Saturday’s schedule features two extended stages of 183 km each, combining fast forest sections with technical mountain trails—the only forest stages included in this year’s championship. Competitors will return to the DSP between stages for a mandatory 30-minute service.
Eyes on the Prize
With championship points razor-thin and only one round remaining after Vryheid, the Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team is poised to leverage its recent progress and technical improvements to maximum effect. For Woolridge, Dreyer, Baumgart, and Cincea, the coming weekend represents both a test of skill and a chance to keep their title ambitions alive, all while thrilling fans with high-octane racing across one of South Africa’s most demanding rally-raid courses.
As the SARRC heads into its finale, one thing is certain: Vryheid 400 will deliver the drama, tension, and competitive spirit that define championship-winning motorsport.
