KOEDOESKOP, South Africa, 12 November 2023 – History was made at the ultimate spherical of the thrilling and exceptionally aggressive South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) this weekend when Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer earned their first general Production Vehicle championship, together with the premier Class FIA T1+ title, at the Waterberg 400 within the farming group of Koedeskop close to Thabazimbi within the Limpopo Province.
Perfect Waterberg 400 weekend for Woolridge and Dreyer
And they did so in excellent trend by claiming the race victory of their Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Castrol T1+ Ranger, with team-mates Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert following them throughout the end line to wrap up an distinctive weekend with a memorable picture end for the Pietermaritzburg-based staff.
While Boyd had already secured the general Production Vehicle navigators title, Gareth got here into the ultimate race with a 17-point margin over Toyota’s Guy Botterill – so he merely wanted to complete fourth or higher to ensure the general championship win, and for each of them to additionally earn the Class T1+ titles.
During Friday’s brief 40km qualifying dash the younger NWM Ford Castrol crew was on a cost and main the stage till they picked up a sluggish puncture. They changed the wheel in an astonishing 1 min 15 sec and completed the day seventh general, simply 01:52 seconds behind the leaders. Lance and Kenny have been third-fastest, 39 sec adrift of Botterill/Brett Cummings.
ALSO READ: Three South African crews to tackle the 2024 Dakar Rally
The groups confronted two lengthy, extraordinarily sizzling and dusty 178km race loops for Saturday’s predominant race. By the midway level Gareth and Boyd had surged into second place, a mere 50 seconds behind their title rivals, whereas Lance and Kenny trailed them in third regardless of getting a puncture early on.
As the Toyota problem fizzled out, Gareth and Boyd surged into the lead on the second lap with Lance and Kenny slotting into second, and that’s how they ended, stamping their authority on the 2023 season. In the method they beat their long-standing Toyota rivals who’re the outgoing a number of SARRC champions, three-time Dakar Rally winners, and the present World Rally Raid Championship title-holders – which is a outstanding and extremely commendable achievement.
It’s additionally the primary time {that a} father and son have each gained the general South African Production Vehicle championship, with staff principal Neil Woolridge and co-driver Kenny Skjoldhammer having taken the title – and the final one for the NWM Ford staff – in 2006. It builds on the 2 consecutive Class T championships that Lance and co-driver Ward Huxtable gained in 2018 and 2019.
Fittingly, the staff earned the Manufacturers Award for the Waterberg 400, wrapping up an excellent and memorable weekend after a troublesome and intensely shut season of racing.
ALSO READ: SA National Rally Championship finale might be something however DULL
“It’s an unbelievable result,” Neil stated. “We’ve been working extremely arduous all year long to get so far, and at last it’s occurred. Gareth and Boyd did a unbelievable job immediately and all through this season, and they’re so deserving of the general and sophistication T1+ championship titles.
“The entire team has put in a huge effort, and all of our technicians deserve credit for building a fantastic car. We didn’t have a single problem with either car the whole weekend, and all the hard work and long hours have paid off,” Neil stated. “Thank you to all of our sponsors, and particularly Ford and Castrol, together with our different sponsors and companions which have made this attainable.
“To knock the world champions off their pedestal is an amazing result. Wrapping the season with a one-two as well as winning the overall and T1+ championships is a very proud achievement for all of us, and also for Ford South Africa in its Centenary year,” he stated.
The timing of the win couldn’t have been higher, because it adopted the announcement that Gareth and Boyd might be competing at the 2024 Dakar Rally within the NWM M-Sport T1+ Ranger – now because the 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship winners.
ALSO READ: South African car gross sales: Top 10 best-selling autos in October 2023
“It feels fantastic and good to add to the CV, and hopefully it can pave the way for the future,” Gareth stated. “We’ve worked hard, the team has worked hard and the extra hours everyone has put in this year is amazing, so I’m really happy to bring the titles home for all of them.”
Boyd stated: “I’m very happy and relieved. We’ve had a long year and I’m so happy that we are finally on top. Thank you to Gareth, the whole NWM team, as well as Ford and Castrol.”
It was the second runner-up end for Lance and Kenny throughout their first season collectively. “The Waterberg was a very technical race in the style of the old off-road races we used to do, and it was a superb event,” Lance stated. “Kenny did a phenomenal job, and it’s a great result for us. For the team to get a one-two and Gareth and Boyd winning the overall and T1+ championships, I don’t think we could be happier.”
Kenny, an enduro motorbike racer and Dakar Rally finisher on two wheels, stated: “Today was really good for me, and I really enjoyed the race. This year has been about road book practice, learning what Lance expects from me and helping him go as fast as we can. I’ve really enjoyed this year and it is fantastic to be part of the NWM team.”
ALSO READ: Botterill and Cummings in title battle at Waterberg 400 SARRC
2024 Dakar Rally
Ford Performance is ready to develop its international motorsports effort by competing within the legendary Dakar Rally, one of many hardest off-road competitions on Earth.
The purpose-built, race-ready Ford Ranger will compete within the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia within the Rally Raid T1+ class with two vehicles, crewed by South Africans Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, and the Spanish staff of 2014 Dakar Rally winner Nani Roma and his co-driver Alex Haro.
Ford Performance is collaborating in a complete check and growth program with M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport to organize for what is predicted to be a particularly robust problem come January 2024.
Published by Ford South Africa on Quickpic
For extra native rally and racing information, comply with our motorsport web page.
Source link
