DOUBLE-PODIUM FOR TGRSA AT RENERGEN 400

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa made waves at the recent Renergen 400, a thrilling chapter in the 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC). The event unfolded on the challenging terrain surrounding the picturesque Free State town of Welkom on the 6th and 7th of October. In a spectacular display of determination and skill, Guy Botterill and co-driver Simon Vacy-Lyle clinched second place overall. Simultaneously, Saood Variawa and Danie Stassen secured a remarkable third-place finish. It was a stellar achievement for the team, reaffirming their prowess in the competitive world of rally-raid racing.

Botterill and Vacy-Lyle exhibited remarkable consistency throughout the race, staying in close contention with the frontrunners. Their resilience paid off when unforeseen challenges plagued the crews ahead of them. Even though two other TGRSA crews had initially led the charge, both Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings and Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy encountered setbacks on the demanding Welkom route.

“Henk and Brett were leading the race, and looked on for a win that could prove critical in their championship fight,” commented TGRSA Team Principal Glyn Hall of SVR/Hallspeed. “They were just three points behind Gareth Woolridge of Ford coming into the penultimate round, and a win here would’ve given them the edge in the title fight. But a misstep at a tricky section saw them crash out of the event.”

Fortunately, Cummings emerged from the roll unharmed, while Lategan required medical attention. Although he sustained injuries to his shoulder, they were not life-threatening, and he was promptly transported to a specialist doctor in Pretoria for treatment.

With Lategan and Cummings out of the running, it was left to De Villiers and Murphy to carry the TGRSA flag. The defending champions gave it their all, pushing their Toyota Hilux T1+ to the limit in their pursuit of victory. However, they, too, encountered difficulties on the rugged Renergen 400 course, damaging their car in an unseen ditch and ultimately being forced to retire. This setback significantly affected their position in the championship standings.

This turn of events propelled Botterill and Vacy-Lyle into the lead among TGRSA crews. They courageously navigated the challenging race and secured an impressive second place, finishing just shy of three minutes behind the ultimate winner, Gareth Woolridge of Ford. Teammates Variawa and Stassen displayed consistent speed and performance throughout the weekend, finishing just a minute behind their fellow TGRSA crew.

While the updated championship points await official confirmation from Motorsport South Africa, the current standings position Botterill and Vacy-Lyle as the best-placed TGRSA crew, trailing the championship leaders by a mere 17 points. With 30 points awarded for a victory and 23 for a second-place finish, the title race is primed for a thrilling conclusion. The final showdown will unfold at the Waterberg 400 on the 10th and 11th of November 2023.

“As with the Renergen 400, the Waterberg 400 will feature an all-new route, offering a level playing field for all competitors,” Hall concluded. “This may be just what we need to secure the championship, but we acknowledge that it will be a hard-fought battle. Guy and Simon will need to summon their deepest reserves of skill and determination at the year’s final event.” As motorsport enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the climax of the SARRC season, one thing is certain – the championship battle will be one for the history books, and TGRSA will be right in the thick of it.

Images : TGRSA

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