Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) made an encouraging start to the 2026 South African National Rally Championship (SANRC) as motoring journalist Mark Jones and navigator Kes Naidoo steered the team’s Toyota GR Yaris to sixth place overall and second in class at the ICAM All-Tar Rally. The opening round of the season not only tested driver skill and endurance but also marked a milestone for TGRSA, with the GR Yaris making its competitive debut in the hands of a media driver, expanding on the successful GR Cup programme.
For Jones, the rally was a steep but rewarding learning curve. “It was massively exciting, and somewhat scary being my first time rallying with this car,” he said after the event. “I’ve got a new respect for these rally drivers – not just in terms of car control, but also the endurance required. Once you’re on the clock, you’re on the clock all day. There’s no real downtime, and you have to stay focused the whole time.”
The all-tar rally, held in wet and challenging conditions, tested the crew’s adaptability. With a car setup prioritising versatility over outright grip on tar, Jones and Naidoo had to quickly adjust to changing surfaces and fluctuating traction levels. “The biggest adjustment for me was the constant pressure – staying on time, dealing with changing conditions, and trusting the notes,” Jones explained. “I’ve never had pace notes read to me before, so that was completely new. But Kes did a fantastic job – calm, clear, and very supportive throughout.”
Despite a few minor offs during the day, the pair steadily gained confidence and pace, capitalising on the high attrition rate to move up the order. “We had a few moments, nothing serious, and just kept pushing. With each new stage, we got a little bit quicker. The goal was always to finish, and we achieved that.”
The performance also highlighted the reliability of the GR Yaris, which completed the rally without major mechanical issues. “The car ran flawlessly,” Jones added. “It did exactly what you’d expect from a Toyota GR Yaris – it kept going, it got us to the finish, and that’s the most important thing.”
With the first round behind them, TGRSA will continue to develop both car and crew throughout the season, with further upgrades already planned. “It’s been a massive learning curve – exhausting, but incredibly exciting,” Jones concluded. “We’ve got a great team behind us, and we’re looking forward to building on this.”
The next round of the 2026 SANRC will be the Cape Swartland Rally, taking place in and around Malmesbury on 24 and 25 April.
