TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is revving up for the penultimate round of the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), the highly anticipated Phakisa 400, scheduled for 13 and 14 September. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Phakisa Raceway, just outside Welkom in the Free State, this round marks a pivotal moment in the championship, with TGRSA crews eager to cement their positions in the standings as the season nears its conclusion.
Leading the charge is the formidable duo of Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, who currently top the leaderboard with an impressive 128 points, courtesy of three victories this season, including their recent triumph at the INGCO Vaal 400. Lategan and Cummings will look to extend their lead as they tackle the Phakisa 400, a course that brings a mix of motivation and caution after last year’s event saw them sidelined following a vehicle rollover that injured Lategan’s shoulder. Their determination to overcome past setbacks and reinforce their title ambitions will be on full display as they take on this crucial race.
Following closely behind in the championship standings are Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, with 104 points. Fresh off their first win of the season at the INGCO Parys 400, the pair has been showcasing the consistency and grit required to mount a serious challenge for the top spot. They will be looking to close the gap on their teammates and build on their recent success at Phakisa, a race that promises to test both man and machine with its challenging terrain.
Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk, sitting third in the standings with 87 points, are not far behind. While the pair has experienced a season filled with highs and lows, their experience and resilience have kept them in the hunt for a podium finish. With only two rounds remaining, they will be aiming for a standout performance in Welkom, hoping to edge closer to the leaders.
The youngest crew in TGRSA’s stable, 19-year-old Saood Variawa and his French navigator Francois Cazalet, have been on a meteoric rise, surging from 17th to seventh in the standings. With consistent top-five finishes, the duo has proven themselves as formidable competitors, racking up 38 points and showing maturity beyond their years. They will be eager to continue their upward trajectory at the Phakisa 400, further solidifying their reputation as future stars of the sport.
The team’s weapon of choice, the Toyota Hilux IMT EVO, has been nothing short of extraordinary this season. Known for its legendary durability, reliability, and race-winning performance, the Hilux T1+ cars have dominated the competition, securing victories at every event so far. TGRSA’s stellar performance has also propelled Toyota to a commanding lead in the Manufacturer’s standings, with 542 points, giving them a substantial cushion over their rivals.
The Phakisa 400 promises to be a gripping spectacle, beginning with the 14-kilometre Castrol Qualifying Race at 10:15 on Friday, 13 September. The qualifying round will determine the starting order for Stage One, a 143-kilometre sprint that kicks off at 13:15. With a route that blends technical sections and fast-flowing tracks through the mine dumps and sandy stretches of Wesselsbron and Bultfontein, teams will need to balance precision with speed. On Saturday, 14 September, competitors will face two more stages, each 181 kilometres long, testing their endurance on new routes that combine tricky technical challenges with high-speed sections.
All eyes will be on Phakisa Raceway as the action culminates in podium ceremonies at the end of the race, with Race Headquarters, the Start/Finish, and the Designated Service Point (DSP) all located at this central hub. Spectators are invited to witness the excitement from various vantage points along the route, and fans can follow the race in real-time through the RallySafe app, available for download from the Google PlayStore and iStore.
As the 2024 SARRC draws to a close, TGRSA remains laser-focused on maintaining their dominant lead, eager to finish the season on a high note. With the Phakisa 400 shaping up to be a decisive event, the team is ready to rise to the challenge and leave a lasting mark on the championship.
