PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa, 2 October 2023 – The 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) has hit the ultimate stretch, and with two rounds remaining the title battle has intensified for the Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Castrol Team.
Ford Castrol Team wanting robust
Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (#277) head into the penultimate spherical, the Renergen 400 in the Free State city of Welkom on 6 and 7 October 2023, in the total lead of the Production Vehicle Championship of their FIA T1+ EcoBoost-powered Ford Ranger.
They presently have a three-point benefit over the Toyota crew of Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings, and 5 factors over Giniel de Villiers/Dennis Murphy (Toyota). However, in the T1+ class standings, Gareth and Boyd are positioned second, three factors behind Lategan/Cummings. Accordingly, it’s all to play for when the crews sort out Round 6 of the collection, which shall be primarily based at the Phakisa Raceway circuit simply exterior Welkom.
The second NWM Ford Castrol pairing of Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert (#234) are fifth in the total Production Vehicle and T1+ standings. The duo are aiming for a robust consequence as they proceed their first season collectively, having proven spectacular tempo all through the yr.
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“As expected, this year’s SA Rally-Raid Championship is extremely close, and it’s going to be a thrilling fight to the end of the season,” says Neil Woolridge, NWM staff principal. “Gareth and Boyd have scored 4 podiums out of 5 races up to now, together with the total victory at the Botswana Desert Race, with Lance and Kenny coming residence second.
“We have made numerous changes and upgrades to our T1+ Ranger during the season, and the results have proven that we have a very competitive car. We will be giving it everything to ensure that the fight for this year’s championship goes right down to the wire,” Neil says.
The NWM-supported privateer staff of Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen (#241) have achieved a number of high 10 finishes this yr of their T1+ Ranger. They are eleventh in the T1+ standings and have their sights set on shifting up a few locations in the class championship.
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Race programme
According to the SARRC race organisers, the Renergen 400 will function the Super Event format, comprising a brief Pirelli Qualifying Race on Friday, 6 October adopted by a gap race loop on the similar day, then two additional loops on Saturday 7 October.
With the occasion primarily based at the Phakisa Raceway, the prologue begins at 10:15 and provides a singular twist by incorporating half of the race monitor earlier than exiting and heading onto extra acquainted off-road terrain in the direction of Odendaalsrus.
This opening 15km dash will decide the beginning order for Friday’s first 58km race loop that units off at 13:15. Friday’s outcomes will decide the beginning order for Saturday, which can see opponents finishing two 164km loops, kicking off at 08:00 and separated by a compulsory 30-minute service cease.
The motion is predicted to be quick and livid, with a lot of open sections alongside mealie fields, together with mine dumps and some extra tight and technical areas.
Fans can comply with all the motion and monitor the place of the crews all through every of the 2023 season’s seven races utilizing the RallySecure app, which will be downloaded freed from cost for iOS and Android gadgets from the related app shops.
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2024 Dakar Rally
Ford Performance is ready to develop its international motorsports effort by competing in the legendary Dakar Rally, one in every of the hardest off-road competitions on Earth.
The purpose-built, race-ready Ford Ranger will compete in the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in the Rally Raid T1+ class. Ford Performance is collaborating in a complete check and growth program with M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport to arrange for what is predicted to be a particularly powerful problem come January 2024.
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For extra information about the very thrilling South African Rally-Raid Championship season, comply with our Motorsport web page.
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