Henk Lategan Claims Victory for Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa at Season Finale KEC Renault 400
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) wrapped up the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) with an inspired performance at the KEC Renault 400, held at Legends Adventure Farm near Bronkhorstspruit.
Despite a challenging start, Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings secured victory in the final race of the season, demonstrating tenacity and precision over the varied terrain.
The pair faced an early setback during Stage 1 of the race when their GR Hilux IMT Evo suffered a broken driveshaft. Despite the mechanical challenge, they managed to post the second-fastest time of the day, finishing just over a minute behind Fouché and Bertus Blignaut, driving a privately entered Toyota Hilux. With their own Hilux fully restored overnight, Lategan and Cummings set out on Stages 2 and 3 with renewed determination. They clocked impressive times across both stages, ultimately finishing the race with a total time of 06:10:13, claiming their fifth win of the season and solidifying their place as 2024 champions.
Although Giniel de Villiers and Elvéne Vonk were ineligible for points due to testing Dakar-specific components, they showed exceptional speed, setting the fastest time of the weekend with a total time of 06:09:13. This performance underscored De Villiers' enduring skill and dedication to the sport, as well as TGRSA’s ongoing preparations for Dakar 2025.
Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy also used the KEC Renault 400 as an opportunity to test new components in preparation for Dakar 2025. Despite their strong pace, which saw them running among the leaders, they were forced to retire due to a mechanical gremlin in Stage 2. Like De Villiers, Botterill’s entry was not eligible for official points, as TGRSA focused on gathering crucial data for the upcoming Dakar campaign.
The KEC Renault 400 attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators who lined the course and cheered on the competitors. Cool temperatures, coupled with overnight rain on Friday, created ideal racing conditions with minimal dust, particularly in Stage 2 on Saturday. The atmosphere was electric, as fans witnessed top-tier rally-raid action up close. The support from local fans underscored the continued appeal of rally-raid racing in South Africa and provided a fitting backdrop to an unforgettable weekend of motorsport.
With the SARRC season now concluded, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa will shift its focus to the upcoming Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. Armed with valuable insights from testing at the KEC Renault 400, TGRSA will aim to build on their domestic success as they tackle the world’s most challenging rally-raid race. Lategan, Botterill, De Villiers, and Saood Variawa are all set to represent TGRSA, piloting the GR Hilux IMT Evo on the global stage.
Shameer Variawa, TGRSA Team Principal, expressed his pride in the team’s performance and looked forward to Dakar 2025:
“We are incredibly proud of Henk and Brett for another outstanding victory to close out the season. This weekend has been a testament to the quality of our vehicles, the dedication of our crews, and the unwavering support from our fans. As we look towards Dakar, we’re carrying this momentum and commitment with us.”
