The inaugural Outeniqua 400, the fourth round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship, took place from Louvain Guest Farm near George in the scenic Garden Route. Competitors described the event as tough but breathtaking, with routes cutting through the Langkloof and Kammanassie Mountains.
The format included a short 28-kilometre qualifier on Friday, 19 September, followed by one 82-kilometre stage, and two gruelling 166-kilometre stages on Saturday, 20 September.
Experience Triumphs
Veteran driver Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dennis Murphy (#TeamHilux RallyRaid Toyota DKR T1+) proved unbeatable, taking a clean victory after leading from start to finish. It was their first overall and Ultimate FIA T1+ win of the season, completing the rally in 6 hours 41 minutes.
Dust and drama didn’t faze the duo, who managed their lead expertly throughout.
Ford Claims the Podium
The Castrol NWM Ford Rally Raid Team celebrated a strong outing, securing both second and third place. Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (NWM Ford Evo Plus) chased hard, finishing just one minute behind the winners despite battling three punctures. Brazilian teammates Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea rounded out the podium with a consistent, trouble-free performance.
Toyota Teams Fight Back
It was a rollercoaster for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
- Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet started strong, even topping the qualifier, but a tumble into a ditch cost them dearly. They clawed their way back to finish fifth, just five seconds off fourth place.
- Teammates Guy Botterill and Mena Valdearcos had an even tougher weekend. After navigational errors and a dramatic plunge down a cliff into a river, they restarted under penalty and salvaged 11th place.
- The Blignaut brothers, Fouché and Bertus, looked set for a podium before mechanical issues forced them back to fourth overall.
Class Battles and Rising Stars
- Other categories delivered their own drama:
- Johan and Sean van Staden (Renault Duster) topped the Adventurer Class, finishing sixth overall despite mechanical gremlins.
- Philip Botha and Andries Mynhardt (Red-Lined Revo T1+) won the Ultimate SA T1+ Class, seventh overall.
- Henk Klaassen and Gerhard Schutte (Daklapack Rallysport Taurus T3Max) secured the Challenger Class win, eighth overall.
- Namibian crew Marko Himmel and Francois Schoonbee put in a determined drive for ninth, while Dutch duo Dave and Tessa Klaassen completed the top ten.
Grit to the Finish
Out of the field, only 16 teams crossed the finish line. Among them, young driver Puck Klaassen impressed by pushing through setbacks to take second in the Challenger Class. The Horn brothers and other determined crews also battled on, ensuring plenty of action throughout the weekend.
Looking Ahead
The Outeniqua 400 also doubled as two rounds of the Eastern Cape Off-road Championship, with Grant and Gregory Watkins (Zarco) taking top honours.
Next up, teams shift their focus to the penultimate round of the SA Rally-Raid Championship at Vryheid on 31 October and 1 November, where the battle for championship glory continues.
