Latest news with #ToyotaGazooRacingSouthAfrica
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Toyota Gazoo Racing SA's GR Hilux EVOs shine at the 2025 South African Safari Rally
Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy and Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet learnt valuable lessons at the 2025 South African Safari Rally. Image: Supplied It was lessons well learnt as the two Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) GR Hilux EVOs wrapped up the 2025 South African Safari Rally held around the Sun City Resort in the North West Province at the weekend. The event, sponsored by Toyota Gazoo Racing, was the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Wrapping up six days (including the Prologue) of demanding competition, Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy and Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet concluded the race with determined performances on the final 111-kilometre special stage around Sun City, bringing home valuable World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) points in the process. Pushing hard The stage covered 222 kilometres, featuring two liaison sections split by a high-speed special run through a mix of black sand, soft gravel, rocky outcrops, and dry savannah. Variawa and Cazalet were first out of the gates, following their Stage four win. Opening the route proved to be a challenge, as expected, and they struggled to maintain their winning pace. 'I gave it everything,' said Variawa. 'I pushed at yesterday's winning pace, but opening the road makes it incredibly difficult. There's just no line to follow, and by the time a few cars are through, the route changes completely. We saw corners become straights just a few cars back.' The young duo finished 18th on Stage five, 7min 31sec behind the leader. Despite the time loss, their pace across the week, including a stage win, underscored their progress and potential at the world level. 'All in all, it was an amazing event,' Variawa added. 'The scenery, the fans, the stages, everything was fantastic. We were fighting with the world's best, and it's clear we're moving in the right direction.' The Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa teams now focus on the upcoming rally in Portugal. Image: Supplied Clean run Teammates Botterill and Murphy were also going hell for leather. After rebounding strongly earlier in the week, they produced another clean run to finish 12th on the final stage, despite facing the complexities of a less-than-ideal road position. 'We had a really successful weekend overall,' said Botterill. 'We managed two 1-2 stage finishes as a team, which was fantastic. The pace is definitely there, we just need to cut out the small mistakes and learn how to better manage the road order strategy in these world-level events. 'Nobody won a stage starting in the top 10 this week. You really want to be starting fifth or sixth every day, but it's hard to get that balance right. The guys who've been doing this for a while know how to play the game. We're learning fast, and we'll come back stronger.' Both TGRSA GR Hilux EVOs completed the event without major mechanical issues. Good showing The team's consistency saw Variawa finish 12th overall, with Botterill just behind in 13th, both gaining valuable experience and contributing to Toyota's Manufacturers' Championship lead. From a W2RC standpoint, Toyota leads the Manufacturers' standings on 311 points, ahead of The Dacia Sandriders (219) and Ford M-Sport (190). In the Drivers' classification, Variawa currently lying 12th edges closer to the top ten, while Botterill in 21st place, adds valuable points to his international campaign. The South African pair of Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (Toyota GR Hilux EVO) racing for Toyota Gazoo Europe, won the race overall. With the South African round of the W2RC now complete, the focus shifts to the next round in Portugal, where both TGRSA crews will look to build on the experience and pace shown on home soil.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Navigational hurdles challenge Toyota Gazoo Racing SA in intense third stage of South African Safari Rally
The third day of the 2025 South African Safari Rally presented another demanding test of navigation and endurance. The event, sponsored by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). After a cold night in the Marathon bivouac outside the Town of Stella, the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) teams had a tough day on the third and Marathon stage of the 2025 South African Safari Rally around Sun City in the North West Province. Demanding day The day presented another demanding test of navigation and endurance, with both crews working hard to overcome the challenge of starting near the front of the field. The stage covered 518 kilometres in total, with a 246 kilometre competitive section, preceded by a nine kilometre liaison, and followed by a 263 kilometre road section. Terrain conditions were as tricky as any seen so far in the rally, with vast grasslands, soft sand, rocky ridges, and an absence of clearly defined tracks, especially in the early parts of the route. For the crews tasked with opening the road, the difficulty was compounded by the low morning sun and limited reference points in the open veld. Stress Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, fresh off their win on Stage two, their first ever in the World Rally-Raid Championship, were first into the special on Stage three. Despite the navigational stress of opening the route, the pair kept things tidy and pushed through the toughest terrain with a clean run. 'Today was always going to be tough,' said Botterill. 'At the driver briefing, we were warned that the navigation would be even harder than Wednesday, and it definitely was. I think we did a fantastic job today. 'Although our times don't show it, I actually think today's drive was better than yesterday's. We drove close to 100 kilometres with no road at all, which was tricky to navigate. Dennis did a great job, no punctures, and we kept it all clean and tidy.' The pair finished the stage in 18th place, 10min 10sec off the fastest time that saw them maintain 15th position in the overall standings, 20min 25sec off the rally lead.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Tough start for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the 2025 South African Safari Rally
It was a tough stage for Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) in the 2025 South African Safari Rally. The event, sponsored by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) and brings together the world's best off-road racers for the first time in Southern Africa. It was a tough outing for Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) in the 557 kilometre first stage of the 2025 South African Safari Rally around Sun City in the North West Province. It followed a strong showing in the nine-kilometre Prologue, where Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy posted the second-fastest time overall, just one second off the leaders. Saood Variawa and co-driver Francois Cazalet, meanwhile, initially set the fastest time on the prologue, but a jump-start penalty dropped them down the order, and they started down in the field, 56 seconds behind the fastest crew. Stage one featured 262 kilometres of competitive racing and 295 kilometres of liaison sections, looping westward from Sun City before returning to the bivouac. The route had dry conditions, temperatures in the high 20s, and mixed surfaces ranging from dry, dusty tracks to isolated muddy patches. Unraveled For Botterill and Murphy, what began as a promising day unravelled as navigational difficulties set in. 'It was a tricky stage for us,' Botterill explained. 'The car was really good - we just struggled a bit with navigation, and that basically sums up the day.' The pair also received a time penalty for missing a waypoint, ultimately finishing the stage in 15th place, 10min 07sec off the lead. Reflecting on the difference between local and international rally-raid formats, Botterhill said: 'Navigation is very different to what we're used to in South Africa. Here, it's all roadbook-based with no external markers. "When you make a mistake, it's hard to recover. That made today particularly tricky.'
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota Gazoo Racing launches new motorsport hub in SA
In collaboration with Shameer Variawa Racing (SVR), Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) has opened the doors to its brand-new motorsport operations centre in Kyalami, Gauteng. Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! The expansive 12 500m² facility, a testament to high-performance engineering and development, hints at even greater potential for the Dakar Rally-conquering GR Hilux EVO. The purpose-built Toyota Gazoo Racing Motorsport Hub centralises Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa's entire rally-raid operation under one roof. This multi-level complex houses the team's growing fleet of race vehicles alongside previously disparate technical departments. Crucially, the new hub boasts significant upgrades, including a dedicated engine room, a sophisticated damper laboratory and an in-house dynamometer. These additions will allow for more precise and rapid development of the formidable GR Hilux EVO's powertrain. Furthermore, TGRSA has heavily invested in its fabrication and machining capabilities. The upgraded divisions are now equipped with precision component production tools, enabling the team to bring previously outsourced services in-house. This strategic move is expected to drastically reduce turnaround times for crucial parts and allow for even finer control over the performance, durability and, crucially, the reliability of their Dakar challenger. Related: NWM's New Evo Plus Rally-Raid Contender Is the Ford Ranger Bakkie to Have The sheer scale of the new facility is impressive. With the capacity to prepare up to 20 racecars simultaneously – a substantial increase from the previous limit of six – TGRSA is clearly gearing up for an expanded operational scope, potentially supporting more global rally-raid efforts in the future. A state-of-the-art parts store, complete with custom-built inventory and logistics software, will not only serve TGRSA but also have the capacity to support other teams worldwide. While the unveiling focused on the impressive infrastructure, the underlying message is clear: TGRSA is doubling down on its commitment to rally-raid success. The enhanced in-house capabilities suggest a renewed focus on pushing the boundaries of the GR Hilux EVO, hinting at potential future evolutions of the vehicle designed to conquer the world's toughest terrains. Team principal Shameer Variawa expressed immense pride in the new facility, emphasising the collective vision and ability that it represents. Glenn Crompton, the vice-president of marketing at Toyota SA Motors, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the new hub as the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Toyota's motorsport endeavours and their partnership with SVR. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Toyota Gazoo Racing Launches New Motorsport Hub in SA appeared first on CAR Magazine.
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux pair ready for Mzansi Safari Rally
Saood Variawa and Guy Botterill geared up for World Rally-Raid Championship race. Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is returning to international competition as the team takes on Round 3 of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in the South African Safari Rally which will be based in and around Sun City. This event not only marks the first African round of the 2025 W2RC season, but it is also the first ever W2RC round to take place in Southern Africa. The Citizen Motoring will be right there in the thick of the action when the chequered flag comes down on Saturday. TGRSA fields two locally-prepared GR Toyota Hilux EVOs, driven by Saood Variawa and Guy Botterill, respectively. Variawa, partnered by French navigator Francois Cazalet, currently sits 14th in the W2RC drivers' championship with 17 points. Botterill, who raced in this year's Dakar Rally, as well as the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, will be partnered by Dennis Murphy. ALSO READ: Evo Plus Ford Ranger out to challenge Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux Toyota Hilux gets special livery 'We decided to pay homage to the typical South African safari vehicle, with the livery of our cars for this race,' explains TGRSA team principal, Shameer Variawa. 'When you go to the bush, you will find beige-coloured game viewers or ranger support vehicles more often than not. Given that we will be racing in that same terrain this coming week, we felt that it was apt to reflect the African heritage in our liveries. Remember, this is not a bakkie – it's a Hilux!' In terms of refinements to the vehicle, Variawa says that the GR Toyota Hilux EVO will sport several upgraded components, as well as a refined suspension setup for the race. 'This is terrain that we are very familiar with, and we know how to extract the most from our cars here on home ground.' Five full stages The rally begins with a 9km Prologue stage on Monday which will determine the starting order for Stage 1. The event then unfolds over five competitive stages, totalling more than 1 200km of timed specials and covering over 2 600km in total. Each day presents a fresh test for competitors, both in terms of speed and navigation. The terrain across the event will include fast gravel roads, rocky outcrops, soft sand, and dry riverbeds -demanding a versatile setup and a strategic mindset. Sections around Thabazimbi, Mafikeng, and Stella will present both high-speed opportunities and navigation traps, while the closing stages will wind back into the rugged bushveld near Sun City. ALSO READ: Toyota Hilux Legend 55 arriving in July – what we know so far Committed to rally-raid Weather forecasts indicate clear skies and mild autumn conditions, with temperatures expected to hover in the mid-20 degrees during the day. These dry conditions should favour high-speed racing, though dust could be a factor, particularly for crews starting deeper in the field. 'To us, partnering with the organisers to bring the South African Safari Rally to life, is an opportunity to underscore our commitment to rally-raid racing, to motorsport as a whole, but also to the many South African Toyota Hilux fans,' says Glenn Crompton, senior vice-president of marketing for Toyota South Africa Motors. 'Beyond our sponsorship of the event, we are looking forward to seeing our newly liveried GR Toyota Hilux EVOs take on the global competition on home soil and we can't wait to see them in action.'
