Race Registration

A quality field has entered for the upcoming VAPS HCV Vryheid 400, the fourth and penultimate round of the SA Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) that takes place on 9 and 10 October from the Vryheid Airfield in the historic Battlefield Route area in KwaZulu-Natal, and various tight title battles will continue as the compact season reaches its final stages.

Even more excitement awaits at the event as the Road to Dakar Challenge, being run by the ASO, the organisers of the Dakar Rally, has been integrated into this event where entrants stand a chance to earn a free ticket to the 2027 Dakar Rally.

With the overall championship titles as well as the different class titles still wide open, thrilling racing action can be expected. And while the previous three races so far this year have been won by two Toyota Gazoo Racing teams – the defending champion, Saood Variawa and navigator Charan Moore and double race winners, Guy Botterill and Henry Köhne, both competing with the Toyota Hilux IMT EVO – the winners of this event last year, local KZN competitors, Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (Castrol NWM Ford Evo Plus) are in the title battle and a victory in front of their home crowd will suit them perfectly and could bring them a step closer to the title.

With two race victories on their 2026 scorecards, Botterill/Köhne will aim for a hat-trick and while a good result will also improve their chances on the title, it will better Botterill’s 2025 result where mechanical issues and a massive rainstorm that forced the organisers to halt the race during the second day, resulted in the Durban driver not finishing the race where he would have wanted to.

And after winning the opening race of the season, Variawa/Moore experienced two unfortunate incidents that saw them dropping off the overall podium and a good result will be just what they need to recover for the remainder of the season.

Two more Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid teams will again be in the line-up. Danie Ludick/Denzil Williamson will be joined by SARRC newbies, Mike Lawlor and his son, Luke, who will be taking on this race for the first time.

Jayden Els/Johann Swemmer (Century Racing CR7) could not complete this race last year and after a positive start to the season, they will eye a good result in Ultimate FIA T1+. The German driver, Daniel Schröder and experienced SA navigator, Juan Möhr (WCT VW Amarok) will also line-up in this class as will the young Dutch driver, Pim Klaassen and lady navigator, Sasha Siripanyavuthi who exchanged their SSV for the DaklaPack Rallysport Red-Lined Revo T1+ GTR for this event.

The championship fight at the front of the Ultimate SA T1+ class is extremely tight and the outcome of the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 will play an important role at the final event. Three teams, all competing with the Red-Lined Revo T1+, are in it to win with the Van Staden family, Johan and his son, Sean, not only aiming for a second class victory this season, but also to extend their championship lead. Only two points separate them from the ever-consistent Philip Botha/Andries Mynhardt who have not yet won the class this season, but they will keep their eye on the title and go for gold.

The VAPS HCV Rally-Raid Team, Abrie and Iaan Olivier, will aim to do their sponsors proud and a good result might see them moving into the top three in the class championship.

The three teams at the front of the Adventurer Class, all competing with the Red-Lined VK50, have also been at each other’s throats this season. Class leaders Peet Victor/VanZyl Jonck, have won twice this season, but could not complete the recent Outeniqua event while their team-mates, Tyler Botha/Kyle Lotter, could not finish the second race of the season and are third in the class standings. A good result for both teams will not only make their sponsors proud, but can push them forward for the final round.

Nielen Marx/Rikus Hattingh scooped up the silverware at the third round and would like nothing better than another victory that can enable them to close the gap to the leaders.

Geoff Minnitt and Leander Pienaar (Hydro Power Equipment Can-Am Maverick R) finished just outside the overall top ten in the Garden Route and will hope for more of the same at Vryheid.

Four teams have entered the Road to Dakar Challenge. The entrants include the Lawlor father and son team; Ludick and Williamson; Botha/Mynhardt and the Oliviers.

On Friday, 9 October the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 will start at 09:30 with a short 20-kilometre Qualifying Race that will determine the starting order for Stage One that comprises 70 testing kilometres with the leading team scheduled to leave the Vryheid Airfield at 13:00. The results will then determine the line-up for Stage Two on Saturday where teams will take on the 180-kilometre racing section at 08:30.

After completion of Stage Two, competitors will be back at the Designated Service Point (DSP) for a compulsory 30-minute service break before embarking on the third and final stage. The Start/Finish as well as the DSP and Race Headquarters will be situated at the Vryheid Airfield where the podium ceremonies will also take place.

Spectators and enthusiasts can follow the race via the RallySafe App with various spectacular vantage points along the route

Images: Dave Ledbitter

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.