TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) heads into the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) finale with momentum, motivation, and a clear mission: fight for the title on one of the most demanding routes of the season. The Northam Zondereinde Bushveld 400, taking place on 21–22 November, will not only decide the national championship but also mark the final South African outing of the four-car GR Hilux IMT EVO fleet before preparations intensify for Dakar 2026.
This year’s championship has been defined by unpredictability. Tight battles, volatile weather, and razor-thin time margins have become the norm — and the finale near Thabazimbi is set to deliver more of the same. More than 100 kilometres of racing will take place on Friday, followed by almost 300 kilometres on Saturday. The course will cut through game farms, rocky ridges, dense bushveld, and open savanna, offering a compact but punishing test where extreme heat or sudden storms could transform the terrain in minutes. For the crews still in contention, there is no space for restraint.
Variawa and Cazalet: Three Points, One Title Shot
All attention turns to Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, who enter the Bushveld finale just three points off the championship lead. Their 2025 campaign has been a blueprint of consistency, speed, and composure — highlighted by a race win and several podiums. The pair narrowly missed another victory at the Vryheid 400, where a storm-shortened race halted their charge just 53 seconds short of the top step.
Now, their objective is clear and uncompromising: maximise points and keep relentless pressure on the title leaders. With the margins this tight, every split, every corner, and every kilometre will count.
Botterill and Mena Aim to Close the Season on a High
Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena arrive at the finale determined to convert their raw pace into a result that does justice to their season. Despite sitting fourth in the standings and out of the title battle, their outright speed remains unquestioned. At Vryheid, they posted several stage-winning splits before a differential failure ended their campaign prematurely.
A victory at the Bushveld 400 would not only underline their front-running form but also serve as a strong launchpad into their Dakar 2026 programme.
Ferreira and Palmeiro Return for Final Local Outing
Portugal’s João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro rejoin the team for one last competitive run on South African soil before shifting focus back to their international commitments. Earlier outings this season yielded impressive performances despite limited familiarity with local terrain. The Bushveld 400 will offer one more opportunity to build mileage and sharpness in the GR Hilux IMT EVO before the global challenge of the Dakar Rally.
Sa’aad Variawa and Bodhanya Continue Their Progression
Rounding out the quartet is the young duo of Sa’aad Variawa and Zaheer Bodhanya. Their season has been marked by steady development, increased pace, and deepening experience within the TGR pathway. The mixed-terrain complexity of the Bushveld 400 promises another crucial opportunity for growth — and another chance to show their rising potential.
A Route Designed to Test Champions
This year’s Bushveld 400 route showcases some of the most distinctive racing terrain on the calendar. Competition starts with a 22 km Prologue on Friday, followed by an 87 km Stage 1 later that day. Combined times will establish the all-important starting positions for Saturday’s showdown: a grueling 184 km morning loop, a short service interval, and a repeat of the 87 km stage to close both the event and the championship.
The bushveld terrain rewards rhythm and precision but punishes even minor mistakes. Fast sections weave into rocky patches, narrow bush-lined tracks, and exposed farmland roads. Rain — always a possibility in late November — could dramatically reshape the landscape, introducing mud, standing water, and reduced visibility.
“The Final Push of the Season” — TGRSA Ready for Battle
Team Principal Shameer Variawa is confident in both the team’s preparation and its prospects:
“This is the final push of the season, and we’re throwing everything at it. Saood and Francois are firmly in the fight for the championship, Guy and Oriol have the pace to win on any day, and it’s great to have João and Filipe back with us as we prepare for next year’s Dakar. Sa’aad and Zaheer are also making big strides. The Bushveld 400 is always tough — the terrain, the weather, the pressure — but the whole team is ready. We want to finish this season the way we’ve raced it: strong, determined and pushing for the top step.”
Primed for a Decisive Finish
With four competitive crews, a proven package, and everything still to race for, TGRSA heads into the Northam Zondereinde Bushveld 400 fully armed for a high-stakes finale. The championship will be decided in the heat, dust, and unpredictability of the Bushveld — and TGRSA is ready to fight for the crown.
