TGRSA Takes Double Win!

In a land where dust clings like a bad habit and temperatures swing more wildly than a toddler on a sugar high, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) pulled off an extraordinary double victory at the INGCO Parys 400 and INGCO Vaal 400. If there was ever a weekend that screamed “built tough,” this was it, with TGRSA flexing their rally muscles and reminding everyone why they’re the kings of the dirt.

Round 4: INGCO Parys 400

Ah, Friday in Parys—a day that began so cold it could freeze the tail off a Toyota emblem, with temperatures dipping to a brisk -6°C. But just as the sun decided to grace the day with some warmth, the competitors were greeted by a different challenge: dust. Lots of it. The kind of dust that hangs in the air like a bad decision, sticking around just long enough to ruin your visibility and your day.

But not for Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, who decided that a little dust wasn’t going to ruin their fun. After a rocky start—literally, they hit a rock during the Castrol Qualifying Race—they clawed their way from 19th to 1st in a performance that was as tenacious as it was gritty. Their time of 05:04:08 was enough to grab their first victory of the season, leaving their competition in the dust—both figuratively and literally.

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings weren’t far behind, proving that when it comes to Toyota, it’s more of a friendly rivalry than a battle. They finished a respectable second, just 118 seconds adrift, with Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk hot on their tail, completing the podium with a third-place finish. It was a clean sweep for TGRSA, making everyone else wonder if they were in a race or just trying to keep up with the Hilux parade.

Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, meanwhile, took the scenic route to fifth place, continuing their season-long quest to find their groove. It’s not quite there yet, but with the way things are going, they might just find it by the time the championship wraps up.

Round 5: INGCO Vaal 400

On to Saturday and the INGCO Vaal 400, where the only thing dustier than the track was the competition’s chances of beating TGRSA. The temperatures were slightly kinder, but the route wasn’t—more technical, more dust, and even more pressure. But if you thought TGRSA would ease off the gas, you’d be wrong. Dead wrong.

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings decided to remind everyone why they’re leading the championship by taking the win in a time of 05:39:17. They led from the front, quite literally, managing to stay ahead despite the pressure of knowing that one slip could cost them the race. The fact that they did it with a smile and a wave (probably) makes it all the more impressive.

Not to be outdone, Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy took second place, finishing just 78 seconds behind their teammates. A mere heartbeat in racing terms, but enough to keep things interesting. Meanwhile, Lance Woolridge and Kenneth Gilbert from Neil Woolridge Motorsport decided to make it a three-horse race, finishing just one second behind Botterill and Murphy. Talk about cutting it close!

As for Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, they finished in fifth place again, proving that consistency might not win races, but it sure does get you noticed. Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk, however, had a rougher day, coming in sixth after a series of unfortunate events that would make even Lemony Snicket wince.

The Road Ahead

With two more wins under their belt, TGRSA has further solidified their grip on the championship, proving that when it comes to the South African Rally-Raid Championship, it’s Toyota’s world, and everyone else is just trying to breathe their dust. Team Principal Shameer Variawa summed it up best: “We came, we saw, we conquered… twice.”

Next up is the Free State 400, where TGRSA will look to keep the momentum going and, if history is any indication, continue to leave their competitors wondering what hit them. Spoiler alert: It was a Toyota.