- Botterill and Köhne win the Vryheid 400.
- Third consecutive victory for the pair.
- Variawa and Moore second, 72 seconds behind.
- TGRSA has won all four 2026 rounds.
- Season finale at Thabazimbi, 13 and 14 November.
Guy Botterill and Henry Köhne won the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 in KwaZulu-Natal, leading a Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) one-two and extending the team’s record in the 2026 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) to four wins from four rounds. The GR Hilux IMT EVO crew completed the 420-kilometre event, based at the Vryheid Airfield, in 05:26:14 for their third consecutive victory. Team-mates Saood Variawa and Charan Moore finished second, 72 seconds behind.
Weather and the Vryheid 400 first day
Friday was very warm and humid, while Saturday turned overcast and cooler, with light rain mid-morning before clearing in the early afternoon. Thick morning mist reduced visibility in the plantations, and dew made the tight, technical forest sections more slippery.
Variawa and Moore set the second-fastest time in Friday’s 17-kilometre Qualifying Race, with Botterill and Köhne third quickest. Over the 79-kilometre Stage One, Botterill and Köhne posted the best combined time to end the day 14 seconds clear of Variawa and Moore.
Puncture and recovery for Botterill
Saturday brought two 162-kilometre stages. As overnight leaders, Botterill and Köhne had to open the road, and a puncture early in Stage Two cost them time. Variawa and Moore moved into the lead, holding a 48-second advantage heading into the final stage. Botterill and Köhne then set the fastest time of the day on Stage Three to reclaim the lead and take the win.
“We got a puncture on the first loop this morning, which really put us on the back foot,” said Botterill. “After that it was just hammer down and push as hard as we could, and we managed to get back on top.”
Variawa returns to the podium
For Variawa, whose title defence had been interrupted by setbacks at Stella and Outeniqua, second place marked a return to the podium. He noted that a Hilux has won every race this season. “That comes down to the performance of the car and the amazing job the team has done on it,” he said.
Championship standings and SARRC final round
The result places Botterill in a commanding position in the overall standings with one round remaining, while Köhne strengthens his hold on the navigators’ championship. The 2026 SARRC season concludes with the Northam Zondereinde Bushveld 400 at Thabazimbi on 13 and 14 November.
Supplied by MotorPress (Karabo Sethusha, Manager: Motorsport TGR, Toyota South Africa)
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