Pretoria, South Africa – 9 November 2024 – The grand finale of the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), held at the challenging Legends Adventure Park near Pretoria, saw the Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Rally-Raid Team finish on a high note. Showcasing unwavering determination and skill, the team clinched their third podium of the season at the Renault KEC 400, with Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert navigating their EcoBoost V6-powered Ford Ranger Ultimate (T1+) to a hard-fought third place.
The race proved to be an intense battle, as Woolridge and Gilbert faced off against the Toyota teams of Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, as well as Fouche and Bertus Blignaut, who ultimately took first and second place, respectively. After a season filled with fierce competition and impressive performances, the NWM Ford team once again demonstrated their racing prowess, ending the season as a formidable force in the championship.
Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer’s Daring Comeback
The weekend also presented both challenges and triumphs for Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer in the #200 Ford Ranger. A technical issue forced them to retire during Friday’s opening 85-km loop, just 9.7 km into the stage. Despite this setback, the team worked overnight to restore the Ford Ranger to top condition, allowing Gareth and Boyd to make a powerful comeback on Saturday morning. Their tenacity paid off as they set the fastest time on Saturday’s 175-km loop, securing a respectable ninth-place finish in the Ultimate class, despite a 10-hour penalty from Friday’s retirement.
Friday’s Tense Race and Saturday’s Close Finish
The action-packed weekend began with a 20-km qualifying sprint on Friday morning, where Lance and Kenny finished fourth, closely followed by Gareth and Boyd in sixth place. In Friday’s main race loop, a minor hiccup arose when a jump caused the bonnet latch of Lance and Kenny’s Ford Ranger to come loose, costing them a precious two minutes. Nonetheless, they managed to climb into third place, setting the stage for Saturday’s thrilling showdown.
Saturday’s race saw Gareth and Boyd launch a daring fightback, posting the fastest time in the opening 175-km loop and steadily advancing through the ranks. Meanwhile, at the front of the pack, the battle intensified as Lance and Kenny contended closely with the Toyota teams. Trading positions multiple times, the top three drivers were separated by mere seconds throughout the day. In a stunning finish after roughly 450 km of racing, Lance and Kenny secured third, trailing the Blignaut brothers by just 19 seconds, with Lategan and Cummings taking first with a slim 24-second lead.
“It was a fantastic race for us, and we’re thrilled to end the year with our third podium finish of the season,” said Lance Woolridge. “The car performed beautifully apart from a minor issue with the bonnet latch, and we were engaged in a thrilling battle throughout the weekend. The competition this year has been extremely close, and we’re already looking forward to another intense season in 2025.”
Gareth Woolridge added, “This race typified our season, where despite some setbacks, we demonstrated that we have the pace to contend with the best. We’re proud of our performance and the progress we made in an Ultimate class that’s more competitive than ever.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Reflecting on the season, NWM team principal Neil Woolridge praised the team’s resilience and competitiveness. “This has been a tough but rewarding year,” he said. “We’ve had near-misses and frustrating technical issues, but our performance has been consistently competitive. We’ve implemented a number of upgrades on the Ford Ranger, which have proven successful, and the dedication of the entire team has been outstanding. With a comprehensive list of improvements lined up for next year, we’re eager to return stronger and take the fight to our rivals.”
With unwavering support from key partners, including Shell, Ford Credit, Mastercraft, and many others, the NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team remains dedicated to innovation and excellence as they prepare to challenge for top honours in the 2025 season.
NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team Partners
The NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team is proudly backed by Shell, Ford Credit, Mastercraft, Würth, NTN, Brembo, Veldskoen, Motorcraft, Ironman 4×4, Sapphire, Shatterprufe, and Tiger Wheel & Tyre. These partnerships have been instrumental in the team’s successes, and their ongoing support is set to fuel the team’s ambitions for the seasons ahead.
As the dust settles on the 2024 SARRC, the NWM Ford team’s performance throughout the season has reinforced their standing as a premier competitor in South Africa’s rally-raid racing scene, with exciting prospects on the horizon for 2025.
