PRETORIA, South Africa – 24 April 2025 – The South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) is set to erupt in high-octane action when the 2025 season kicks off in June, with the return of Castrol as title sponsor of the formidable Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) team. This renewed partnership brings together a powerhouse of engineering excellence, motorsport passion, and global brand synergy, as Ford South Africa continues its unwavering support of the squad it has backed for nearly 30 years.
Joining Castrol in the sponsorship roster is bp Ultimate, which brings cutting-edge fuel technology to the team for the first time. Vedacit, Ford Credit, Mastercraft Tools, Sparco, and iconic South African brand Veldskoen also join the fold, alongside technical partners Brembo, NTN, and Tiger Wheel & Tyre—each playing a vital role in shaping the team’s competitive edge.
At the heart of the Castrol NWM Ford Team’s 2025 campaign are defending champions Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, piloting the ferocious Castrol NWM Ford Ranger Ultimate—a machine born and bred for battle in Pietermaritzburg by one of the most respected names in global rally-raid engineering.
Their bid for back-to-back titles will be bolstered by Brazilian stars Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea, bringing with them a decorated resume of South American rally-raid dominance, including multiple national titles and a Rally dos Sertões victory. The duo’s international credentials and experience in the FIA’s World Rally-Raid Championship promise to add firepower to the NWM stable.
Rounding out the team’s formidable trio is the newly incorporated privateer entry of Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen, who step up to the Castrol NWM Ford team fold in the more accessible South African Ultimate/T1+ class. With competitive finishes under their belt and a refreshed Ranger Ultimate in Castrol and bp Ultimate livery, they’re well poised to shake up the standings.
Global Power, Local Passion
The team’s rally-raid machines—each a testament to South African innovation—will be fuelled by Castrol’s renowned EDGE lubricants and bp Ultimate’s dirt-busting performance fuels. According to Jennifer Heyes, Castrol Africa’s Marketing Director, the partnership with NWM is “a strategic alliance that combines cutting-edge lubricant technology with one of the most competitive teams in the sport.”
Echoing that sentiment, bp Southern Africa’s GM for Mobility & Convenience, Nokwanda Khumalo, said: “As the NWM team brings the passion to win the race, bp brings the fuel to help make it happen.”
Ford South Africa’s General Manager of Marketing, Tarryn Knight, added: “Motorsport is one of our key brand-building pillars for the Ranger, emphasizing this proudly South African-built bakkie’s quality, capability, and adventurous spirit. The SARRC perfectly encapsulates the ‘Live the Ranger Life’ ethos.”
A Proven Championship Platform
2023 champions Woolridge and Dreyer, who have been racing together since their early days in the SxS category, will once again lead the team into battle in the FIA’s elite Ultimate/T1+ class. Their story is one of dedication, resilience, and evolution—from podium finishes to a top-ten stage result in the 2024 Dakar Rally.
Baumgart and Cincea, veterans of the international scene and seasoned competitors on South African soil, are no strangers to the country’s fiercely competitive terrain. Their return adds a potent mix of experience and global flair to the Castrol NWM Ford team.
Meanwhile, Prinsloo and Vermeulen, known for their steady rise through the ranks, will campaign the newest iteration of the NWM Ranger Ultimate using a Motec engine management system tailored to the local Ultimate class specifications—striking the ideal balance between cost and competitiveness.
Ready for the Road Ahead
The 2025 SARRC season is scheduled to commence on 27–28 June in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, after flooding forced the postponement of the original opening round in Vryheid. All three Castrol NWM Ford Ranger Ultimate entries will be aiming for top honours across the board: from class titles to the coveted Overall Championship for both Drivers and Navigators.
NWM Team Principal Neil Woolridge sees this season as a significant milestone. “We’re thrilled to have Castrol back as title sponsor and are excited about the future of this revitalised partnership. With Ford, bp, and our many loyal partners by our side, we’re ready to take on whatever the SARRC throws at us. The Ranger Ultimate is stronger and more refined than ever—we’re ready to fight.”
With a refreshed sponsor portfolio, a trio of world-class crews, and a proven championship-winning platform, the Castrol NWM Ford Team is ready to write the next chapter in South Africa’s rally-raid legacy—one filled with speed, grit, and boundless ambition.
Follow the 2025 SARRC season and the Castrol NWM Ford Team’s journey on social media and official motorsport channels for updates, race results, and behind-the-scenes content.
