Race Registration

The VAPS HCV Vryheid 400, the fourth and penultimate round of the 2026 SA Rally-Raid Championship got underway on Friday, 9 October and the Qualifying Race as well as Stage One not only delivered its fair share of exciting action, but also heartbreak and disappointment. And as the technical teams got to work to prepare the vehicles for the second race day, the teams reflected on the completed 100 kilometres and planned their strategies for the final day.

The first day of the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 consisted of a 17-kilometre Qualifying Race that determined the starting order for Stage One where teams had to take on a tough and demanding 79 kilometres route where tricky navigation and tactical racing played an important role in the outcome of the results.

The short qualifying section was won by Lance Woolridge and Andre Vermeulen, who deputised for the injured Mike  Lawlor and son Luke, and posted the fastest time of 14 minutes 27 seconds in the Castrol NWM Ford Evo Plus. They were followed eight seconds later by Saood Variawa/Charan Moore (Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux IMT EVO) who adopted a cautious approach, and team-mates, Guy Botterill/Henry Köhne (14:49) who had a clean run.

The second of the three Castrol NWM Ford Evo Plus in the hands of Danie Ludick and stand-in navigator, Adriaan Roets posted the fourth best times (15 minutes), but their team-mates and the winners of the 2025 event, Gareth Woolridge/Boyd Dreyer, who are still in the title race, damaged their vehicle significantly after they hit a stump and a concrete pole resulting in the team not being able to finish the qualifier.

With the first four teams fighting it out in Ultimate FIA T1+, three teams in Ultimate SA T1+ finished the short race in the overall top 10. Johan and Sean van Staden (Red-Lined Revo T1+) were fifth overall (15:31) followed by Jayden Els/Johann Swemmer (Century Racing CR6-T 2WD) who changed classes from FIA T1+ (15:34) while Philip Botha/Andries Mynhardt (Red-Lined Revo T1+) and locked in the title battle with the Van Staden duo, finished ninth (16:12).

The rest of the top 10 were completed by young lady driver, Puck Klaassen and experienced Danie Stassen, with Klaassen tackling her first outing in the powerful #TeamHilux Rally-Raid Toyota DKR Hilux. They were seventh (15:38) followed by the German driver, Daniel Schröder and Juan Möhr (WCT VW Amarok) (15:51) while Peet Victor/Vanzyl Jonck (VAPS HCV Rally-Raid VK50) leading the Adventurer Class (16:30) finished 10th overall.

The leading 10 teams drew for their start positions for Stage One with Els/Swemmer having to open the road followed by Ludick/Roets; Klaassen/Stassen; Botterill/Köhne and Variawa/Moore with Woolridge/Vermeulen off in sixth.

Stage One proved to be a really tough and tricky test and teams had to keep their wits about them to ensure they reach the finish in one piece. In the end it was Botterill/Köhne who came out tops with their combined times (01:05:43) putting them in the lead after the first day a mere 14 seconds ahead of their team-mates, Variawa/Moore in second place.

Schröder/Möhr moved up to third place (01:08:00) followed by Klaassen/Stassen (01:10:52), while competing with this vehicle was a new experience for the lady who was happy with the outcome of the first day.

Els/Swemmer had no brakes halfway into the stage but pushed on to complete the day in fifth place (01:11:27) and leading Ultimate SA T1+. There is, however, not much between the three leading teams in this class with the Van Staden family finishing a scant two seconds behind the youngsters in sixth place while Botha/Mynhardt were only 21 seconds further adrift in seventh place. 

There were problems for the Woolridge/Vermeulen team who could not complete the stage while there was worse luck for Gareth Woolridge and Dreyer, who started the stage from the back of the field. A public road accident saw them being held up for more than 15 minutes and when they got going again, they found themselves facing a closed gate as farmers thought all the vehicles had passed through!

Adapted time sheets put the pair in eighth place (01:12:07) and the team will have their work cut out for them on the final day.

They will start the second day just ahead of team-mates, Ludick/Roets, who lost time with a flat tyre 10 kilometres before the finish with their total time five seconds slower than the former champions. The young Dutch driver, Pim Klaassen and lady navigator, Sasha Siripanyavuthi, were having a good first outing in the DaklaPack Rallysport Red-Lined Revo T1+ GTR and finished the day in 10th place overall (01:13:03), seventh in Ultimate FIA T1+.

The battle continued in the Adventurer Class with the class leaders, Victor/Jonck, still leading and finishing in 11th overall (01:15:57) while their VAPS HCV Rally-Raid team-mates, Tyler Botha/Kyle Lotter, all competing with the Red-Lined VK50, are 14th (01:20:05) and third in class. The two teams sandwiched Nielen Marx/Rikus Hattingh in 13th (01:19:34), just ahead of the Olivier duo, Abrie and Iaan Olivier (01:17:55) who finished fourth in Ultimate SA T1+ despite receiving a time penalty for deviating from the route.

The VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 continues on Saturday with teams taking on Stages Two and Three comprising approximately 175 kilometres each. All the action takes place from the Vryheid Airfield where the Race Headquarters, the Start/Finish as well as the Designated Service Point (DSP) are situated while the final podium ceremonies will also take place here.

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.