Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria – The 2025 South African Touring Car (SATC) Championship reached its thrilling conclusion this past weekend at Zwartkops Raceway, with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) celebrating a standout season. Michael van Rooyen’s commanding consistency secured him the championship crown, while teammates Nathi Msimanga and Sa’aad Variawa delivered strong performances to round out the year.
Heading into the final round, Van Rooyen had all but sealed the title, but the team arrived at Zwartkops with a clear goal: finish the season on a high note and maintain their reputation as front-runners in South African touring car racing.
Qualifying Sets the Stage
Van Rooyen demonstrated his trademark composure during qualifying, securing the second-fastest time in his SATC-spec Toyota Corolla, a mere 0.206 seconds off pole position. Msimanga and Variawa were closely behind, qualifying 4th and 6th respectively in a tightly contested field.
Race 1: Strong Start
The opening race saw Van Rooyen convert his front-row start into a solid second-place finish after ten intense laps. Variawa showcased his pace and consistency, finishing 4th, while Msimanga faced a challenging stint to cross the line in 7th.
Race 2: Intense Sprint Action
The second race brought the championship to life with Julian van der Watt taking the win, but TGRSA’s drivers were competitive throughout the 8-lap sprint. Variawa again impressed with another 4th-place finish, while Van Rooyen and Msimanga finished 6th and 7th respectively.
While the team didn’t claim a race win at Zwartkops, Van Rooyen’s combination of second and sixth places was more than enough to secure his championship title, capping a season marked by tactical brilliance and consistent high-level performance. Msimanga and Variawa, though out of championship contention due to missing earlier rounds, demonstrated solid pace and reliability, ending the season on a positive note.
SupaCup Highlights
In the SupaCup class, Dawie van der Merwe faced a tough start, qualifying 8th and finishing 10th in Race 1 after a hard-fought midfield battle. Race 2 saw a notable recovery, with Van der Merwe improving to 8th in a fiercely competitive field, securing valuable points to maintain his 5th-place position in the championship standings.
A Season of Milestones
The 2025 SATC calendar featured seven rounds at some of South Africa’s most iconic circuits, including Killarney, Kyalami, East London, Gqeberha, and Zwartkops. For TGRSA, Van Rooyen’s driver’s championship was the highlight, underpinned by the squad’s unwavering reliability, strategic expertise, and speed throughout the season.
Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors, commented:
“I’m extremely pleased to have successfully defended TGRSA’s SATC title. Last year, Sa’aad made us proud, and this year it was Michael who flew the flag for the brand. This underscores not only the prowess of our SATC-spec Toyota Corollas, but also Toyota’s commitment to local motorsport.”
As TGRSA reflects on a memorable 2025, the team is already looking ahead to the 2026 season. With a solid foundation, evolving driver line-up, and relentless focus on performance, Toyota GAZOO Racing South Africa is set to remain a dominant force in South African touring car racing.
