The 2025 South African Touring Car (SATC) Championship is rapidly approaching its conclusion, and this weekend’s penultimate round at the Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town promises to be a pivotal one. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) will once again field three SATC entries, with Michael van Rooyen and Nathi Msimanga joined by Sa’aad Variawa, who continues to substitute for his brother, Saood, in one of the team’s Toyota Corollas.
Michael van Rooyen currently leads the SATC standings and will be aiming to defend his 23-point buffer over his nearest rival. With just two rounds remaining, consistency will be key, and Van Rooyen’s experience will be crucial in navigating the high-speed Killarney circuit, where strong winds and shifting grip levels can often influence the racing.
Msimanga, currently in sixth place in the standings, will be looking for a clean weekend after a challenging outing in East London. The young driver has shown pace throughout the season and will be eager to convert that into strong results at the fast and flowing 3.2 km circuit.
Sa’aad Variawa, stepping into the SATC Corolla for only the second time in 2025, will use the weekend to gain more mileage and experience at the top level of local touring car racing. While not in the title fight, his presence bolsters the team’s lineup and adds valuable support in the manufacturers’ race.
In the SupaCup, Dawie van der Merwe will once again campaign the SupaStarlet. He heads into this weekend in fourth place in the overall standings. While third place remains a stretch, with a 37-point deficit to close, Dawie will be pushing for maximum points in Cape Town, aiming to close the gap as the championship heads into its final stretch.
This weekend’s action gets underway with practice on Friday, 12 September, followed by qualifying and two races on Saturday, 13 September. While the weather is expected to be clear for Friday’s sessions, Saturday may bring changeable conditions, adding another layer of complexity to the weekend’s strategy.
With the end of the 2025 season in sight, TGRSA will be aiming for a strong showing at Killarney to maintain their momentum going into the final round.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors
Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Toyota Financial Services, Innovation and Kinto.
Published by: Karabo Sethusha
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