TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) celebrated a stellar end to the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) season, clinching multiple awards at the KEC Renault 400 at Legends Adventure Farm near Bronkhorstspruit. The final race not only secured the overall title for Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings but also reaffirmed Toyota’s dominance with the prestigious Manufacturer’s Award, underscoring the strength and reliability of the GR Hilux IMT Evo.
Resilience and Triumph Amid Setbacks
Lategan and Cummings faced an unexpected hurdle in the opening stage when a broken driveshaft slowed their GR Hilux IMT Evo. Yet, even with this mechanical issue, the pair posted the second-fastest time of the day, finishing just a minute behind the privately entered Toyota Hilux of Fouché and Bertus Blignaut. After overnight repairs, Lategan and Cummings attacked Stages 2 and 3 with remarkable precision, ultimately clocking a total time of 06:10:13. Their victory in this final round marked their fifth win of the season, sealing their status as the 2024 champions.
A Testing Ground for Dakar Preparations
While Lategan and Cummings celebrated their championship title, TGRSA veterans Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk used the KEC Renault 400 as a testing ground for Dakar 2025. The pair, ineligible for SARRC points due to Dakar-specific testing components, set an astonishing pace, recording a total time of 06:09:13, the fastest of the weekend. This impressive performance showcased De Villiers’ enduring talent and reaffirmed TGRSA’s dedication to Dakar preparations.
Similarly, Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy leveraged the race to test new components ahead of Dakar 2025. Though they maintained a competitive pace and ran among the leaders early on, an unfortunate mechanical issue forced them to retire in Stage 2. Despite this setback, the data gathered will be invaluable for TGRSA’s Dakar campaign.
Rally Fever Grips South African Fans
The KEC Renault 400 attracted a large crowd, with fans braving cool temperatures and rain-soaked conditions to witness top-tier rally-raid action. Overnight rain on Friday minimized dust and enhanced visibility, creating near-perfect conditions for spectators and racers alike, particularly in Stage 2 on Saturday. Fans lining the course brought an electric atmosphere, cheering on each racer and reinforcing South Africa’s passionate rally-raid following.
The Road Ahead: Dakar 2025 Beckons
With the SARRC season now concluded, TGRSA will turn its full attention to the upcoming Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. The KEC Renault 400 offered a valuable testing opportunity, arming TGRSA with crucial insights to enhance vehicle performance and endurance. Lategan, De Villiers, Botterill, and Saood Variawa are all slated to represent TGRSA at Dakar, piloting the formidable GR Hilux IMT Evo across the grueling Saudi Arabian terrain.
TGRSA Team Principal Shameer Variawa expressed immense pride in his team’s accomplishments, stating, “We are incredibly proud of Henk and Brett for another outstanding victory to close out the season. This weekend has been a testament to the quality of our vehicles, the dedication of our crews, and the unwavering support from our fans. As we look towards Dakar, we’re carrying this momentum and commitment with us.”
With the SARRC trophies secured, TGRSA now stands poised to take on the global rally-raid stage, aiming for yet another triumph at Dakar 2025.
