Toyota Gazoo SA heading to Parys Double-Header

The picturesque Free State town will set the stage for a high-stakes double-header weekend, where TGRSA aims to regain momentum and maximize points towards the championship.

Aiming to bounce back from a less-than-ideal performance on their home turf in Botswana, TGRSA’s Team Principal, Glyn Hall of SVR Hallspeed, acknowledges the significance of this double-header event. “Our recent outing was disappointing, and now we’re determined to make up for it this weekend,” Hall remarks. With both rounds of the championship occurring within a single weekend, the stakes are higher than ever, offering the potential for double points accumulation, but also intensifying the challenge.

The Parys 400 event features a unique format, with two full rounds of SARRC crammed into a single weekend. Friday kicks off with a qualifying race followed by two race loops, and Saturday mirrors the same schedule. The tight timeline means that the teams have to balance performance with the quick turnaround needed to repair and prep the cars for the second round on the following day.

Hall emphasizes the team’s readiness for such a demanding schedule due to their extensive experience in events like the Dakar Rally. “While pressure is no stranger to us, repairing all four cars overnight might prove a challenge, depending on the extent of Friday’s damage,” he says.

TGRSA fields four cars for the weekend, with the same crews that participated in the TGRSA 1,000 Desert Race last month. Leading the charge is Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings. Currently, the former champions are positioned in second place in the Production Vehicle Championship standings after three rounds, trailing the leader, Gareth Woolridge of Ford, by a mere 15 points.

While Lategan and Cummings aim to narrow the gap to the front, teammates Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dennis Murphy are determined to improve on their own third-place position in the championship. A mere 3 points shy of the Toyota Hilux T1+ crew ahead of them, the double-header format adds a thrilling dynamic to their pursuit.

Adding to the intra-team competition is the third TGRSA car, piloted by Guy Botterill and co-driver Simon Vacy-Lyle. Their impressive pace this season has put them just 7 points behind De Villiers and Murphy, setting the stage for an intense three-way battle within the TGRSA ranks.

Youngster Saood Variawa and co-driver Danie Stassen will also feature in a fourth Toyota Hilux. Their performance in the previous national rally-raid event showcased their skill and speed, and they’re eager to make their mark in Parys. Variawa’s potential to disrupt the established hierarchy adds an element of unpredictability to the competition.

As the 2023 season unfolds, Toyota continues to be well-represented by privateers driving in the T1+ and T1 classes. Among them, the Blignaut brothers, Fouche and Bertus, showcase their new Class T1+ Toyota Hilux, while defending Class T1 champions Eben Basson and Leander Pienaar seek to extend their lead at the top of the table.

With racing set to commence at 7:30 AM on Friday for the qualifying race of Round 4, followed by the main event at 9:30 AM, the anticipation is palpable. Saturday’s Round 5 follows the same schedule, with a fresh route to keep the competition and excitement at its peak. As the engines roar and the dust settles, all eyes will be on Parys, where TGRSA aims to conquer the challenges and emerge victorious in this gripping double-header of the 2023 SARRC season.

The post Toyota Gazoo SA heading to Parys Double-Header first appeared on Fuelled.