Race Registration

The GR Stella 1000 Marathon, the second round of the 2026 SA Rally-Raid Championship that took place over three days and almost a thousand kilometres in the desert-like Stella area in the North-West Province, was marked by extremely tough racing and stiff competition with routes that were tricky and demanding albeit enjoyable and eventually it was Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Guy Botterill and Henry Köhne (Toyota Hilux IMT EVO) who were victorious after leading the race from Friday.


Botterill/Köhne were the first vehicle to take on the 420 kilometre route on Saturday morning after posting the best combined times in the short qualifying race and the two 24km stages and the multiple SA Rally champion together with his new navigator, Köhne, did not look back except to keep an eye on the charging pack in their rear-view mirrors. They kept their lead after two more stages on Saturday and opened the 400 kilometre route again on Sunday. The final two stages of the race were even more tricky for the hard-charging leaders as they encountered typical desert-race conditions that included limited tracks, long grass and the unexpected.
A problem-free race with no incidents, however, saw them winning the GR Stella 1000 Marathon in a time of 09:49:53 while they also claimed the Ultimate FIA T1+ silverware.


They were pushed from the start by their team-mates, Saood Variawa/Charan Moore who trailed them by a mere 56 seconds at the beginning of the final day. Variawa/Moore chased hard from their second place throughout the race, but an unfortunate incident with a spectator vehicle on the last stage cost them valuable time and they dropped back to eventually finish fifth overall and in the Ultimate FIA T1+ Class with a time of 10:13:17.


Jayden Els and Johann Swemmer (Century Racing Factory CR7) won the short qualifier and after starting Friday in seventh place, they completed the second day in third place. Their consistency – despite a slipping clutch towards the end of the race – saw them stepping onto the second place of the podium (09:52:55), just over three minutes behind the winners.


And after almost 10 hours of racing, only 63 seconds separated them from former desert race winners, Gareth Woolridge/Boyd Dreyer (Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Evo Plus). The team found the perfect set-up for their Ford on the final day and after starting the day from seventh position, a determined effort saw them clinching the third step of the overall podium and the Ultimate FIA T1+ class.


Marathon racing in desert-like conditions was an all-new experience for Variawa’s younger brother and team-mate, Sa’aad, who had navigator Wade Harris reading him the notes. The team worked their way up from sixth place on Friday to fifth on Saturday and finished the race in a respectable fourth place (10:00:08) overall and in FIA T1+.


Teams who also romped to a top 10 result in this class, include the two #TeamHilux Rally-Raid teams, Fouché and Bertus Blignaut and the former multiple desert race winners, Giniel de Villiers/Dennis Murphy (DKR Hilux T1+ Evo). Both teams experienced steering issues during the race with the Blignaut brothers surviving a narrow escape when they rolled their vehicle a mere two kilometres before the finish. They managed to still bring it home to finish seventh overall (10:22:28) while De Villiers/Murphy were ninth (10:25:04) losing time having to fix a broken steering arm in the bush during the final stage. #TeamHilux Rally-Raid also won the team reward.
Danie Ludick/Denzil Williamson kept their rhythm during the race to bring the second Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Evo Plus home in 10th place (10:35:36).


The ding-dong battle between Johan/Sean van Staden and Philip Botha/Andries Mynhardt in similar Red-Lined Revo T1+ vehicles in the South African Ultimate T1+ class continued for three days. Botha/Mynhardt were the class leaders after the first day, but the father and son duo passed them on the second day although just over two minutes separated the two leading teams.


The gap did not change much on the third day with the Van Stadens eventually claiming victory (10:21:58) and finishing sixth overall while Botha/Mynhardt (10:24:26) were second in the class and eighth overall. The Ultimate SA T1+ podium was rounded off by marathon race newcomers, Abrie and Iaan Olivier (VAPS HCV Rally-Raid Red-Lined Revo T1+) who finished in an impressive 12th overall.


It was another great result for the Challenger winners, Geoff Minnitt and Leander Pienaar (Hydro Power Equipment Maverick) who not only completed the full race distance and won the class, but managed to finish in 11th place overall (10:44:52).


As always, this marathon event took its prisoners and only three more teams could see out the full distance. Peet Victor /VanZyl Jonck (VAPS HCV Rally-Raid Red-Lined VK50) took the lead in the Adventurer Class from the beginning and brought home the silverware when they won the class (11:06:40) while Nielen Marx/Rikus Hattingh finished second in class (11:28:05) in a similar vehicle. It was a new experience for both these teams.
Schalk Burger/Armand du Toit put their King Price Xtreme Ford Raptor successfully through its baptism of fire in the Challenger Class in 15th place overall (12:11:28).


The father and son newcomers, Michael and Luke Lawlor (Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Evo Plus) had a good event until the fifth and penultimate stage which they could not complete, but the SARR newbies showed their grit and determination to complete their first marathon event. They took the time penalty and completed the sixth and final stage to be classified as finishers.


There was heartbreak for their team-mates, Wors Prinsloo/André Vermeulen who started the final day in the top 10, but had to call it a day on the final stage due to break problems. It was also a frustrating event for Lood du Preez/Adriaan Roets (Farmers Meat CR 6) who started on the Ultimate SA T1+ podium, but a problematic gearbox on the second and third day put a halt to their attempts while multiple issues during the race forced Hennie de Klerk/Carl Swanepoel (Treasury One Toyota Hilux) to retire on the third day.


After scoring a healthy number of points, teams will now prepare for the third round of the season, the postponed Century Property Developments – Century Racing Endurance race that will return to the scenic Garden Route area in the Langkloof on 28 and 29 August.


IMAGES: DAVE LEDBITTER
INFORMATION: CHARMAINE FORTUNE

JACO JONCK

COMPETITOR LIAISON

Jaco Jonck serves as Competitor Relations Officer for SARRC, acting as the primary liaison between competitors, teams, and event officials. With a strong technical background and a deep understanding of the operational and regulatory aspects of motorsport, he supports competitors in navigating event procedures, regulations, and administrative requirements. Jaco plays a key role in ensuring that competitor concerns are addressed promptly and professionally, helping to maintain a positive, well-managed racing environment.

WAMMY HADDAD

TECHNICAL ADVISOR

William “Wammy” Haddad is a long-standing and respected member of the South African rally raid community, bringing decades of hands-on experience in off-road and cross-country motorsport to the South African Rally Raid Championship (SARRC). Renowned for his technical knowledge and practical approach, Wammy supports competitors and officials across events, helping ensure vehicles meet safety and regulatory requirements and that operations run smoothly.

LORI ZAVATTONI

SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

Lori Zavattoni is a key member of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) team, leading sponsorship management and partner engagement across the championship. In her role, she is responsible for the acquisition, coordination and activation of sponsors, ensuring that commercial partners receive measurable value and high-impact brand exposure at SARRC events.

In addition, Lori oversees VIP hospitality, partner hosting and front-of-house operations, delivering premium experiences for sponsors, stakeholders and invited guests. With strong organisational skills and a commitment to excellence, she plays a vital role in the professional execution of SARRC events and in strengthening long-term sponsor relationships that support the continued growth of rally raid racing in South Africa.

RUDI MULLER

ROUTE DIRECTOR

Rudi Muller is the Route Director for SARRC, responsible for designing and managing the championship’s challenging and iconic courses. With more than a decade of experience navigating South Africa’s diverse and rugged terrain, both as a competitor and route planner, Rudi understands how to create courses that test skill, strategy, and endurance. His meticulous approach ensures that every route is not only thrilling and fair for competitors but also safe and engaging for spectators. Rudi’s passion for off-road motorsport and deep knowledge of the country’s landscapes make him an invaluable part of SARRC’s commitment to world-class rally raid experiences.

CHARMAINE FORTUNE

SECRETARY

Charmaine Fortune is a media and communications professional who has been the long-standing Secretary of the SARRC and an integral pillar of the organisation, having played a key role in its operations and development for more than three decades. Her dedication, expertise, and institutional knowledge make her an indispensable part of SARRC, ensuring that the championship continues to operate at the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and competitive fairness.

Beyond her work with SARRC, Charmaine has been a highly respected figure in South African motorsport administration for many years. Her career includes involvement in some of the country’s most prestigious motorsport events, writing extensively on race outcomes, event previews, competitor profiles, and championship standings, keeping the public and participants informed. Her extensive experience spans race organisation, regulatory compliance, event management, and stakeholder coordination, giving her a uniquely comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run world-class motorsport events.

Charmaine’s tireless commitment to the sport, her meticulous approach to administration, and her deep connections across the motorsport community have been instrumental in growing rally raid in South Africa.

EVAN HUTCHISON

RACE DIRECTOR

Evan Hutchison is a seasoned motorsport professional and the Race Director for SARRC, with extensive experience in rally and off-road racing and multiple national titles. Evan has a deep understanding of race dynamics, route safety, and event logistics. He oversees the planning, execution, and safety of every SARRC event, ensuring compliance with international regulations while delivering a fair, challenging, and thrilling competition for all participants. His hands-on experience and commitment to excellence make him a central figure in upholding the championship’s reputation for world-class rally-raid racing.

SANDRA LABUSCAGE-JONCK

DIRECTOR

Sandra Labuscagne-Jonck is a trailblazer in the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), with a motorsport career that began before the age of 18. She initially competed as a navigator alongside her father, a seasoned rally veteran, gaining invaluable experience in the sport from a young age. Sandra later transitioned to the driver’s seat, making history as the first woman to compete as a driver in the Special Vehicle Category Championship.

A qualified veterinarian by profession, Sandra has successfully balanced a demanding professional career with high-level motorsport competition. She has competed in multiple international rally-raid events, representing South Africa on the global stage, and made history as the first female competitor to receive Protea Colours in Rally Raid, recognising her exceptional sporting achievements.

Beyond competition, Sandra has been actively involved in initiatives such as the FIA Women in Motorsport Development Programme, using her platform to inspire increased female participation in motorsport and to uplift communities through meaningful engagement and development initiatives.

In addition to her sporting achievements, Sandra serves as a Motorsport South Africa (MSA) Board Member and Director, contributing to the strategic governance and long-term development of the sport at a national level.

In her role as Director of the South African Rally-Raid Championship, Sandra brings strategic leadership and decades of hands-on motorsport experience. Her deep involvement in South Africa’s off-road racing landscape—as both a competitor and event organiser—provides her with a unique understanding of the needs of drivers, navigators, teams and stakeholders. She has led key initiatives to professionalise rally raid racing and to broaden participation across the sport.

Sandra’s operational excellence, combined with her passion for motorsport, has been instrumental in positioning SARRC as the benchmark for rally raid racing in South Africa, ensuring that every event is delivered to the highest standards of safety, professionalism and competitive excellence.

ARCHIE RUTHERFORD

CEO

Given the nickname “Ranger Buck” during his university years, Rutherford is a qualified game ranger and FGASA Field Guide who grew up spending time on his family’s game farm bordering Zimbabwe. Naturally he has a passion for African terrain and adventure, which is synonymous with SARRC.

His background also includes a professional engineering qualification and higher diplomas in arbitration and mediation, a varied professional history before focusing on safaris and motorsports.

Archie Rutherford leads the SARRC with a lifelong passion for adventure, motorsport, and the open trails of South Africa. Having competed in off-road racing for over two decades, Archie has firsthand experience of the challenges, thrills, and technical demands of rally raid competition. Under his leadership, SARRC has grown into Africa’s premier rally raid championship, delivering professionally run, world-class events that test skill, endurance, and determination while showcasing South Africa’s rugged landscapes. Archie is widely respected in the motorsport community for his vision, hands-on approach, and commitment to growing the sport locally and internationally.