KWAZULU-NATAL, South Africa – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) marked a powerful one-two finish at the Sugarbelt 400, the second spherical of the 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC).
One-two finish for TGRSA
Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, TGRSA’s main crew, clinched the victory, navigating the difficult course in a time of 5hr 18min 51sec. Despite dealing with a number of obstacles, they showcased distinctive efficiency and resilience to safe their triumph.
“It was a lot tougher to open the route during qualifying than we expected, and we lost some time there. The first race loop went very well, until we slid off the road while reversing after an overshoot. We were wedged against a tree and lost some time extricating the GR DKR Hilux T1+, but we got going again.”
Henk Lategan, TGRSA
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The crew additionally suffered a puncture shortly after this incident, which additional delayed their progress. They additionally confronted an issue with the entrance differential, ending the first loop with a deficit of 1min to the leaders.
Lategan and Cummings didn’t let the points maintain them again, nonetheless. They pushed extraordinarily laborious throughout the second loop, managing to make up sufficient time to safe victory, regardless of struggling a second puncture.
“We fought our way back during the second loop. Our team’s determination and hard work paid off, and we are thrilled to have secured the win.”
Henk Lategan, TGRSA driver
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Hot on their heels, teammates Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dennis Murphy completed a mere 3min 16sec behind, securing a strong second place. The remaining crew in the TGRSA line-up, Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle, narrowly missed the podium, ending in a commendable fourth place general.
“I am immensely proud of our crews for having shown grit, determination, and a strong fighting spirit. Despite facing some challenges, they stayed focused and brought home outstanding results.”
Glyn Hall, TGRSA Team Principal
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The Sugarbelt 400 course, set in the lovely and rugged terrain round the city of Eston in KwaZulu-Natal, posed its distinctive challenges. The race wound by means of sugarcane fields and plantations, testing the mettle of all members.
With the Sugarbelt 400 now in the previous, TGRSA is shifting its focus to the subsequent problem: the TGRSA 1000 Desert Race. Known as the longest and hardest motorsport occasion on the African continent, this race can also be a ‘home race’ for TGRSA, as the staff additionally serves as the title sponsor for the occasion.
“We are looking forward to the TGRSA 1000 Desert Race, and we are keen to maintain our momentum,” Hall added. “This year, the race is moving back to Botswana, where it will be run in the area around the southern town of Jwaneng. Our crews are up to the challenge, and we are excited to see what the next round holds for us.”
Published by Toyota South Africa on MotorPress
For extra information about the South African Rally-Raid Championship, comply with our motorsport web page.
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