TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is excited to announce its participation in the Nkomazi 400 race, taking place this coming weekend in the Mpumalanga town of Malalane. The team will be entering three formidable Toyota Hilux race cars in the FIA T1+ class, as they take on Round 1 of this year’s South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC).
Defending champion Giniel de Villiers will again be partnered with co-driver Denis Murphy, seeking to defend his title, despite facing tough opposition, especially from inside his own camp. Former champion Henk Lategan will make a strong return to the action, with experienced co-driver Brett Cummings by his side. The final car in the TGRSA lineup will be driven by the skilled duo of Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle.
The Nkomazi 400 will cover a distance of just over 400km, kicking off with a 65km qualifying race on Friday, 24 March. The main event will unfold on Saturday, 25 March, promising an adrenaline-filled day for both participants and fans. Enthusiasts can follow the thrilling action on TGRSA's social media channels or via the RallySafe app.
TGRSA Team Principal Glyn Hall expressed his ambitions for the weekend: "Our primary goal for the team this weekend is to get some points on the board and to gauge our performance against that of our main competitors. We're confident in the abilities of our drivers and the reliability of our Dakar-winning Hilux vehicles, and we look forward to a strong showing in Malalane."
The weather forecast for the weekend predicts sunny conditions, with temperatures expected to reach up to 30°C. The Nkomazi 400 has not featured on the SARRC calendar for the last six years, and a return to Malalane, especially in perfect weather conditions, promises a fantastic start to the 2023 SARRC season.
For more information, follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa on social media or download the RallySafe app to stay updated on the team's progress during the Nkomazi 400.