PRETORIA, South Africa, 4 November 2025 – Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer have emerged victorious at the gruelling Vryheid 400, propelling the Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team to the top of the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship standings.
The penultimate round of the season proved to be one of the toughest yet, testing endurance, skill, and teamwork across a weekend marked by rain, mud, and relentless mechanical challenges. Heavy downpours left long grass covering slippery tracks, while forest sections with unreliable GPS signals forced navigators to rely on pure instinct and precise note-taking. The combination of high-speed stretches and technical forest trails created a true all-round challenge for every crew.
Neil Woolridge, NWM Ford Team Principal, praised the team’s preparation: “We knew this was going to be a tough race, but it was one we were also looking forward to. Gareth and the Castrol NWM Ford thrive in this type of terrain, and the car performed exactly as expected. We barely had to make any setup changes or repairs over the weekend. Anticipating the strain on brakes, we executed a precautionary change during the 30-minute service, which shows the team’s cohesion and skill.”
Strong Performance Sets the Pace
The Pietermaritzburg duo of Woolridge and Dreyer came into the event just four points behind the championship leaders, and they quickly set the tone by winning the 17-kilometre Falken Wild Peak Prologue on Friday. They maintained momentum through Stage One to finish the first day in the lead.
Saturday brought the ultimate challenge. Tasked with opening the road over two long and technical sections spanning 350 kilometres, Woolridge and Dreyer faced worsening conditions as a massive rainstorm struck during the final stage. Organisers were forced to halt the race after 133 kilometres due to the dangerous terrain. Despite suffering a puncture, the pair reached the finish before the stoppage, securing their second win of the season—just 53 seconds ahead of rivals Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux. With the victory, Woolridge and Dreyer now hold a three-point lead heading into the final round.
“This was probably the most difficult race I’ve ever done,” Woolridge admitted. “The navigation was extremely tricky, the physical toll huge. It was hot, slippery, and we were dehydrated by the end. But to win on home soil and take the championship lead makes it all worth it. As a team, we did our homework, and it paid off.”
Teamwork Shines Through
Castrol NWM Ford enjoyed a solid weekend overall, with three crews finishing inside the top six. Brazilian pairing Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea fought back from 12th on day one to claim fifth, while teammates Wors Prinsloo and André Vermeulen bounced back to finish sixth. Demonstrating true sportsmanship, Prinsloo and Vermeulen even stopped mid-stage to assist the Blignaut brothers after their car became stranded.
The NWM Ford service operation remains a critical factor in the team’s success. Each Ranger returns to a 30-minute service window, where technicians execute rapid repairs and adjustments under intense pressure. During the Vryheid 400, Woolridge’s crew replaced all four brakes in record time, ensuring the car remained in peak condition and showcasing the seamless collaboration between drivers, engineers, and mechanics.
Eyes on the Northam Platinum Bushveld 400
With the championship poised on a knife-edge, the team now turns to the Northam Platinum Bushveld 400 on 21 and 22 November. At their Pietermaritzburg base, the Castrol NWM Fords will undergo meticulous inspections and telemetry analysis, while engineers prepare performance upgrades to maximise their chances of claiming the 2025 title.
As the season reaches its climax, one thing is certain: the fight for the championship will be nothing short of spectacular.
