The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA (TGRSA) squad is primed to tackle the season-closing double-header in the Free State city of Parys this weekend. The ultimate two rounds of the 2022 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) is scheduled for 11 and 12 November, with every day providing a full spherical of the nationwide championship, with the related factors on provide.
TGRSA beneath strain for difficult finale
For Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings, the weekend presents the chance to seal their fourth SARRC title, as they maintain a three-point lead over teammates Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dennis Murphy in the general Production Category. De Villiers, nonetheless, is a fierce competitor and is positive to make Lategan work arduous for the factors he must clinch the championship. To make issues extra fascinating, nonetheless, Murphy can be unable to compete in Parys because of a damaged arm. Seasoned co-driver Rodney Burke can be strapping into his seat for the weekend, including strain to De Villiers in his quest to regain the SARRC crown.
Behind the 2 hard-charging Class T1+ Toyota Hilux crews come two extra crews from the identical squad, driving an identical automobiles. Shameer Variawa and co-driver Danie Stassen are 30 factors adrift of De Villiers/Murphy, and solely three factors forward of Guy Botterill and co-driver Simon Vacy-Lyle with two rounds to go. While it is unlikely that both Variawa or Botterill will overtake the crews forward of them, something can nonetheless occur, and with a most of 60 factors on provide between the ultimate two rounds, neither of the 2 chasing crews can be holding something in reserve this weekend.
“This has been a stunning season for us,” says TGRSA Team Principal, Glyn Hall. “Our Class T1+ Hilux has dominated all year, clearly showing why this machine is tough enough to not only compete at the Dakar Rally, but also to have won it twice now.”
With this in thoughts, the group can be utilizing the weekend’s Parys 400, because the double-header is recognized, to check a variety of ultimate engine upgrades and different parts, as they put together for the upcoming Dakar Rally in January, 2023. An an identical Hilux, in the fingers of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel gained the inaugural World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) this yr, and the mileage recorded throughout that championship, in addition to the SARRC, could properly show to be invaluable in the event of the most recent iteration of the GR DKR Hilux T1+ because the automotive is additionally recognized.
Potential pleasure in the rain
This weekend’s race is prone to happen in moist and muddy circumstances, although no heavy rains are predicted over the weekend itself. Even so, the muddy tracks across the city of Parys has confirmed powerful in the previous, and the TGRSA crews could have their work reduce out for them, with two full races going down in simply two days. This features a prologue, to find out the beginning orders for the principle race, on each mornings – adopted by two lengthy race loops that brings the entire every day race distance near the 400 km mark.
The motion will get beneath method at 07:30 on Friday morning, when the crews tackle a 12 km-long qualifying race. This can be adopted by two loops of 155 km every, beginning at 9:30. The crews will then should restore and recuperate, as they’ll be doing all of it once more the subsequent day, making for a troublesome end to an extended season. Fans can go to the race and its HQ on the Parys Airfield freed from cost, or observe the motion on the Rally Safe utility, which is out there for each iOS and Android gadgets.
Posted by Toyota South Africa on Motorpress
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