TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is set to continue their pursuit of the 2024 South African National Rally Championship (SANRC) as they prepare for the upcoming Secunda Rally. Scheduled for May 31 and June 1, 2024, this event marks Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2024 NRC season, taking place in the Mpumalanga town of Secunda.
The season opener marked Rounds 1 and 2 of the event, took place at the Cape Swartland in Malmesbury, saw a mixed bag of results for TGRSA. In Rounds 1, Mandla Mdakane and co-driver Kes Naidoo secured a commendable third-place finish, showcasing their consistency and competitive spirit. Their performance was bolstered by consistently competitive stage times, which ultimately earned them a spot on the podium.
Teammates Jono van Wyk and his co-driver Nico Swartz displayed promising pace, including a stage win, but were unfortunately forced to retire just 200 meters from the finish line due to a steering system issue. Despite this setback, their performance highlighted their potential for the rest of the season.
Round 2, held the following day, saw Mdakane and Naidoo driving clean and consistent stages, running in second place overall with just one stage to go. However, a suspension failure forced them to retire from the event. Van Wyk and Swartz were unable to compete in Round 2 due to the damage sustained in Round 1.
As the TGRSA team heads to Secunda, they bring with them the lessons learned and the determination to secure top positions. The Secunda Rally promises to be a thrilling event, with both crews eager to showcase their skills and the reliability improvements made to their Toyota Starlet rally cars.
The weather forecast for Secunda over the rally weekend indicates favourable conditions for racing. Participants can expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 24°C (64°F to 75°F), providing ideal conditions for rallying.
Reflecting on the team’s preparations, TGRSA Rally Manager Guy Botterill shared, “We’ve had our fair share of challenges in the opening event, but our team has been working tirelessly to ensure our cars are in top condition for Secunda. We are confident in our crews’ abilities and look forward to a successful rally.”
The rally will kick off on Friday, May 31, with a series of challenging stages designed to test the drivers’ skill and endurance. The action will continue on Saturday, June 1, concluding with what promises to be an exciting finish. Fans and spectators can look forward to an action-packed rally as TGRSA competes in Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2024 NRC season.
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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