The 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) returns to KwaZulu-Natal this weekend, as the long-awaited VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 takes place on 31 October and 1 November. After months of anticipation following the event’s earlier postponement due to flooding, competitors, crews, and fans alike are eager for racing to resume in one of the most scenic and challenging regions on the calendar.
For TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA), the penultimate round of the season presents another opportunity to consolidate their position at the top of the championship standings. Leading the overall title chase, Saood Variawa and French co-driver Francois Cazalet will once again be joined by teammates Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena, with both crews fielding the team’s latest evolution of the GR Hilux IMT EVO. The car has proven itself across varied terrain this season, combining speed, durability, and reliability — all attributes that will be tested to the limit in Vryheid’s forests, farmland tracks, and mountain passes.
The Vryheid event, hosted from the Vryheid Airfield, will serve as both the fifth and penultimate round of the 2025 season, and the first time this year that competitors return to the KwaZulu-Natal region. The Falken Wild Peak Prologue — a 15 km sprint through fast, graded forest roads — will open proceedings on Friday, 31 October, starting at 09:30, followed by Stage One, a 52 km run through the surrounding lowlands and farmlands, starting at 13:00. These two sections will determine the starting order for Saturday’s main racing action.
Saturday will bring the heart of the challenge, with two 183 km stages separated by a 30-minute service break at the Designated Service Point (DSP). The route traverses dense forest trails, flowing mountain passes, and rapid open roads north of Vryheid. The combination of tight, technical climbs and wide, sweeping gravel sections promises to deliver a true test of driver skill and mechanical endurance.
The Vryheid area’s unique topography — rolling hills, lush forests, and open grasslands — ensures a compact yet demanding route that offers excellent vantage points for spectators. From forest tracks to fast-flowing plains, the terrain will push both crews and their machines to their limits over the two days.
For Variawa and Cazalet, the goal will be to protect their championship lead as the season nears its conclusion, while Botterill and Mena will look to build on their strong form and narrow the gap to the top of the standings. The pair have shown competitive pace throughout the campaign, and with only one round remaining after Vryheid, consistency and smart strategy will be key.
The VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 is not only a showcase of South African rally-raid competition at its finest but also a celebration of the region’s enduring enthusiasm for the sport. The local community, landowners, and the Vryheid Flying Club have played an instrumental role in bringing the event to life, ensuring a vibrant festival atmosphere for competitors and fans alike.
“With the championship so finely balanced, every kilometre counts from here on,” said Shameer Variawa, Team Principal of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa. “Vryheid always delivers a proper test — it’s fast, rough in places, and demands total focus from both driver and navigator. Our crews are well-prepared, the GR Hilux IMT EVOs have been performing faultlessly, and the entire team is determined to finish the season strongly.”
Spectators are encouraged to visit the Vryheid Airfield, where the Race Headquarters, Start/Finish, and DSP will be located, and to follow the racing live via the RallySafe App, available as a free download for iOS and Android.
Published by: Karabo Sethusha
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