The 2024 South African Touring Car Championship (SATC) is set to reach its thrilling conclusion this weekend, as the final round takes place at the Zwartkops International Raceway, near Pretoria. The Extreme Festival will see the nation’s top touring car drivers battle it out on the tarmac, with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) bringing its full team to the fore for this crucial final event.
With practice scheduled for Friday, 18 October, and the main event taking place on Saturday, 19 October, fans can expect an action-packed weekend of motorsport, with drivers eager to cement their final standings in the championship.
Michael van Rooyen, behind the wheel of his SATC GR Corolla, enters the final race in second place overall, with 122 points. He has Julian van der Watt just six points behind him in the standings, so a solid performance this weekend will be required to retain his second place in the championship. With that said, his experience and tenacity have consistently kept him in contention throughout the season.
Saood Variawa, who missed the previous round due to a crash during SARRC testing, returns to the action this weekend, currently holding fifth place with 82 points. Nathi Msimanga will be behind the wheel of the third and final SATC GR Corolla this weekend.
TGRSA also faces an exciting challenge in the Manufacturers’ Championship, where Toyota leads the standings with 256 points, closely followed by BMW, which has 247 points. Every point will count as the teams battle it out for the prestigious title at Zwartkops.
In addition to Saood’s return to the SATC grid, Sa’aad Variawa will be back in his familiar SupaStarlet, competing in the SupaCup after stepping up to the SATC in the previous round. This will be a chance for Sa’aad to return to form in the SupaCup, where he has made significant strides since joining the championship mid-season.
Zwartkops, one of South Africa’s most iconic circuits, promises an exciting and challenging race for all drivers. The tight, technical layout will require precise driving and focused strategy, particularly in this high-stakes, final round of the season. The track’s combination of sweeping corners and quick straights has been known to deliver nail-biting action, making it a fitting stage for the Manufacturer’s title decider.
In addition to the on-track action, fans attending the Extreme Festival can visit the TGRSA merchandise stall and activation area, where they can purchase official GR gear and participate in interactive experiences. It’s a perfect opportunity to connect with the brand and support the team in style as the 2024 season comes to an exciting close.
This weekend is set to be warm and sunny, with Zwartkops expecting ideal weather for racing. However, Saturday’s forecast shows temperatures soaring to a sweltering 34 degrees Celsius, which will undoubtedly test the endurance of both drivers and their cars. Managing heat will be a key factor in the race strategy as competitors battle it out in the final event of the season.
As always, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa is focused on bringing home strong results, with both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles still up for grabs.
2024 SATC Championship Standings (After Round 6)
| Position | Driver | Manufacturer | Points |
| 1 | Robert Wolk | BMW | 160 |
| 2 | Michael van Rooyen | Toyota | 122 |
| 3 | Julian van der Watt | VW | 116 |
| 4 | Anthony Pretorius | Toyota | 107 |
| 5 | Saood Variawa | Toyota | 82 |
| 6 | Andrew Schofield | BMW | 76 |
| 7 | Nathi Msimanga | Toyota | 69 |
| 8 | Michael Stephen | BMW | 22 |
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors
Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Toyota Financial Services, Innovation Group Services and Kinto.
Published by: Karabo Sethusha
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