TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa recorded a double-podium end at the Renergen 400, which came about on 6 and seven October 2023, in the world surrounding the Free State city of Welkom. The Renergen 400 was Round 6 of the 7-round South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), and noticed Guy Botterill and co-driver, Simon Vacy-Lyle, end in second place general. At the identical time, Saood Variawa and Danie Stassen introduced their Toyota Hilux T1+ dwelling in third place general – a surprising consequence for the crew.
Renergen 400 race weekend
Botterill/Vacy-Lyle drove a clear and regular race, working simply outdoors the Top 3 for the majority of the weekend, and reaped the rewards when the crews forward of them skilled some challenges. Two of TGRSA’s personal crews had been forward of Botterill/Vacy-Lyle, however first Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings; after which Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy, fell foul to the route in Welkom.
“Henk and Brett were leading the race, and looked on for a win that could prove critical in their championship fight.”
“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.”
TGRSA Team Principal, Glyn Hall, of SVR/Hallspeed
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Cummings emerged unscathed from the roll, however Lategan wanted medical consideration. His accidents weren’t life-threatening, nevertheless, and he was transported to a specialist physician in Pretoria to take care of his shoulder, which was injured in the crash.
With Lategan/Cummings faraway from the equation, it fell to De Villiers/Murphy to fly the flag for TGRSA. The defending champions had been on track, pushing their Toyota Hilux T1+ to the restrict in pursuit of victory. However, they too fell foul to the Renergen 400’s terrain, damaging their automotive in an unseen ditch. They had been pressured to retire, dropping down the order in the championship standings consequently.
This left Botterill/Vacy-Lyle because the main TGRSA crew, they usually completed the powerful race in 2nd place, simply shy of three minutes behind the eventual winner, Gareth Woolridge (Ford). Teammates Variawa/Stassen completed a minute adrift of their teammates, displaying good tempo all through the weekend.
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While the up to date championship factors are but to be ratified by Motorsport South Africa, an unofficial view leaves Botterill/Vacy-Lyle because the best-placed TGRSA crew, some 17 factors behind the championship leaders. With 30 factors on provide for victory, and 23 factors out there for second place, the title struggle will go all the way down to the wire, with a ultimate showdown at the Waterberg 400 on 10 and 11 November, 2023.
“As with the Renergen 400, the Waterberg 400 will feature and all-new route, which offers a level playing field for all involved,” concluded Hall. “This might be just what we need in order to secure the championship, but we do recognise that it’ll be a tough fight, and Guy and Simon will have to dig deep at the final event of the year.”
Published by Toyota South Africa on Motorpress
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