TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is gearing up for an exciting start to the 2026 South African National Rally Championship as the ICAM All-Tar Rally gets underway this weekend. The season opener marks a new chapter for the team, which will campaign a single, specially prepared Toyota GR Yaris rally car for the entire season. Behind the wheel, motoring journalist Mark Jones will be joined by navigator Kes Naidoo, forming a fresh crew ready to tackle the national rally stage.
Jones’ step into the NRC is a natural progression from the GR Cup programme, which has introduced media personalities to competitive motorsport over the past few seasons. Having honed his skills on the track—starting in a manual GR Yaris before progressing to the GR Corolla—Jones now transitions to rallying, bringing a unique perspective to the sport from within the cockpit.
The opening round is entirely on tar, with stages split between the iconic Gerotek and Zwartkops venues, presenting a blend of high-speed straights and technical sections that demand precision, commitment, and confidence. While tar rallies are a rarity in South African rallying, they offer an ideal environment for crews to build rhythm and familiarity at the start of the season.
For Jones, the weekend is about learning, adapting, and demonstrating the accessibility of rallying to a wider audience. “We’re obviously looking forward to the first race of the season. There are definitely some nerves—it’s a big stage, and for us it’s all about learning and building confidence,” he said ahead of the event. Familiarity with the venues offers a useful foundation. “Gerotek and Zwartkops are places I’ve driven before in both road and race cars, so that should help us understand the car and the conditions a bit better.”
The GR Yaris in rally specification presents a markedly different challenge compared to circuit racing. With a rear-biased setup, a bespoke pedal box, and competition-focused elements, the car demands a distinct approach. “It’s lighter than the road car and quite different to drive. There are a lot of nuances we need to learn, both in the car and as a crew. This weekend is really about getting that understanding in place.”
The team’s strategy for the opening round is measured, focusing on building experience and completing the rally rather than chasing immediate results. “We’re not chasing big results just yet. The goal is to bring the car home, learn as much as possible, and start building something for the season ahead.”
The ICAM All-Tar Rally features six stages in total, with four at Gerotek followed by two at Zwartkops. This combination of high-speed and technical sections will test both car and crew, while offering fans a thrilling insight into the capabilities of the GR Yaris in rally trim. With a new car, a new crew, and a narrative linking the GR Cup to the national rally stage, TGRSA enters the 2026 season with a strong focus on development, accessibility, and growing the sport’s reach.
