Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa Endures Challenging SATC Weekend at Killarney Raceway
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) entered Round 6 of the 2024 South African Touring Car Championship (SATC) at Killarney Raceway in Cape Town under sunny and warm skies.
Despite much of the country being in the grip of a cold front that brought snow to many inland areas, the Mother City provided ideal racing conditions for the weekend.
However, the weekend took an unexpected turn for the TGRSA team with a change in their driver lineup. Saood Variawa, a key player in TGRSA’s SATC campaign, was sidelined due to a crash during testing for the previous round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC). While the young driver escaped injury, he opted to sit out of the Cape Town race as a precautionary measure.
Stepping into Saood’s seat was his younger brother, Sa’aad Variawa, making his debut in the powerful SATC GR Corolla. This marked Sa’aad’s first-ever experience racing a touring car, adding a new dynamic to the team’s race weekend. Additionally, their father, Shameer Variawa, decided to take part in the SupaCup, driving the SupaStarlet, making the weekend a true family affair for the Variawas.
SATC: A Mixed Bag for TGRSA Drivers
Qualifying:
Michael van Rooyen was the fastest of the TGRSA squad, securing the 4th-fastest time overall in the highly competitive session. Close behind was Nathi Msimanga, who clocked in 5th, just a tenth of a second off his teammate’s pace. Meanwhile, Sa’aad Variawa faced significant challenges with turbo boost issues throughout the weekend, which left him qualifying at the back of the SATC grid for Race 1.
Race 1:
Van Rooyen had an impressive start, quickly moving up to third and briefly challenging for second place. However, over the course of the twelve-lap race, he was relegated back to third, but still managed to secure a solid podium finish in the face of fierce competition. Msimanga was less fortunate, encountering overheating issues with his GR Corolla after just five laps. As a precaution, he brought the car into the pits, forcing him to retire from the race. Unfortunately, this issue also prevented him from starting the second race. Sa’aad’s debut race in the touring car wasn’t easy, as he continued to battle with the turbo boost problems, leaving him as the last finisher in the SATC field.
Race 2:
Race 2, which employed a reverse grid, saw Van Rooyen aiming for another strong result. However, he struggled to gain ground and ultimately finished in 4th place. Sa’aad’s turbo issues persisted, and he retired after just two laps, capping off a difficult weekend for the debutant.
Overall, it was a tough outing for the TGRSA SATC drivers. Msimanga’s overheating issues sidelined him for most of the weekend, and while Sa’aad was eager to make the most of his debut, the turbo boost problems hindered his performance. Van Rooyen managed to gather some valuable points, but the gap to the championship leader widened, making the final race of the season crucial.
SupaCup: Shameer Variawa’s First Outing in the SupaStarlet
In the SupaCup, all eyes were on Shameer Variawa, who took to the wheel of the SupaStarlet for the first time. Despite a tricky qualifying session that placed him at the back of the grid, Shameer was enthusiastic about the experience.
Race 1:
In his first-ever SupaCup race, Shameer completed all twelve laps, bringing the SupaStarlet home as the last car in the field. Although the results reflected his lack of experience, the weekend was more about enjoyment and gaining familiarity with the car than anything else.
Race 2:
Race 2 saw Shameer take on the challenging Killarney Raceway once more, and though he finished at the back of the pack again, the weekend was a memorable experience. Sharing the track with his son, Sa’aad, and competing in the highly competitive SupaCup added to the fun and sense of family legacy.
The final round of the 2024 South African Touring Car Championship will take place at the Zwartkops International Raceway near Pretoria on 19 October 2024. Michael van Rooyen will be pushing for vital points to close the championship gap, while the rest of the TGRSA team is looking to end the season on a high note. It promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an eventful season.
