TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) closed out the 2025 SA Rally-Raid Championship in emphatic style, locking out the podium at the Northam Zondereinde Bushveld 400 and securing a historic double title for 20-year-old Saood Variawa and his French navigator, Francois Cazalet. The pair not only clinched both the Overall and Ultimate FIA T1+ Championships but also rewrote the record books: Variawa is now the youngest race winner and the youngest champion in the history of the South African Rally-Raid Championship — a distinction previously held by teammate Henk Lategan.
A Brutal Decider in the Bushveld
The season finale unfolded in the rugged heart of Limpopo’s bushveld, where a demanding mix of rain-soaked mud patches, tight game-farm trails, dry riverbeds and rocky climbs shaped a route that tested both skill and strategy. With only three points separating Variawa/Cazalet from main title contenders Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (Ford) heading into the weekend, every kilometre mattered, and the championship remained on a knife’s edge until the final stretch of Saturday’s racing.
TGRSA signalled its intent early by dominating Friday’s 22 km Prologue, securing the top four positions. Visiting Portuguese stars João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro topped the times in their GR Hilux IMT EVO, closely followed by Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena, with Variawa/Cazalet only five seconds further back. Saood’s younger brother, Sa’aad — partnered with Zaheer Bodhanya — also delivered a strong prologue performance, ensuring a Toyota-controlled front end heading into the afternoon’s 88 km Stage 1. Botterill and Mena ultimately posted the quickest combined Friday time, setting up a strategic role for Saturday.
Teamwork, Tactics and a Turning Point
Saturday morning brought the decisive shift in the championship narrative. As leaders after Day 1, Botterill and Mena were tasked with opening the road — a challenging assignment but one that aligned with the broader team strategy to give Variawa and Cazalet the cleanest possible track to chase the title.
Botterill later reflected on the dual priorities of speed and support, saying he was pleased with his outright pace in qualifying and the opening loop, but added that the team “had to position ourselves in a good place for Saood so he could fight for the championship.” After losing time as road openers, the pair surged back later in the day, winning the final loop and securing third overall — completing the TGRSA podium sweep.
At the front, a critical blow to Ford’s title hopes came when Woolridge and Dreyer suffered a series of setbacks, stripping them of the advantage they had held. With their rivals compromised, Variawa and Cazalet delivered a performance defined by discipline and composure. Despite punctures and tricky navigation sections, they maintained focus and pace, winning the event in 5 hours, 28 minutes and 17 seconds — their second outright victory of the season and the one that sealed their championship campaign.
Ferreira and Palmeiro finished a close second overall, less than two minutes behind, while Botterill and Mena rounded off the podium just 59 seconds further back. Sa’aad Variawa and Zaheer Bodhanya capped an exceptional weekend for the team by taking fifth, marking Sa’aad’s best national result yet.
A Season of Lessons, Resolve and Breakthroughs
Reflecting on his journey to the title, Saood described a season shaped by resilience as much as raw pace.
“The championship has been filled with ups and downs,” he said. “We had races where we had to fight back from the rear of the field, which affected the points. But I stayed calm, and even when we lost points, it didn’t worry me because we knew our speed. The biggest lesson this year was learning to piece everything together.”
He praised the team’s relentless effort, adding: “They gave me a perfect car every time. It lifts the morale going into Dakar. I’m also grateful to my teammates — Guy winning stages and João winning races overseas — the bond we have is why I believe we’ll be strong for Dakar.”
His reflection on becoming the youngest-ever South African rally-raid champion carried both gratitude and conviction: “It took a lot of learning, a lot of absorbing everything like a sponge — but we did a good job.”
Momentum Rolls Forward to Dakar
Team Principal Shameer Variawa lauded the squad after the podium lockout, noting the strength and unity behind the achievement.
“For Saood to become the youngest ever South African rally-raid champion at just 20 years old is a fantastic achievement,” he said. “We have great drivers, a great team, and great sponsors. Now we shift our focus fully to Dakar, and I believe we can carry this momentum into the world’s biggest rally-raid race.”
A Commanding Finish — and a Confident Beginning
As the 2025 Rally-Raid season draws to a close, TGRSA walks away with a national champion, an emphatic final-round performance and a clear sense of competitive form ahead of the Dakar Rally. With the GR Hilux IMT EVO proving fast, dependable and adaptable across South Africa’s toughest terrain, the team now switches into Dakar-preparation mode with confidence — and a young champion ready to take the next step on the world stage.
