- Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer lead from the front in the NWM Evo Plus, securing victory and the early championship lead
- Race-proven results of the all-new NWM Evo Plus at the Safari Rally pay off with strong finishes across all three entries, showcasing speed, reliability and resilience
- Stand-in driver Lance Woolridge impresses with a top-five finish, while international duo Marcus Baumgart and Kleber Cincea continue to gain ground on South African terrain
The Castrol NWM Ford Team kicked off the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) season with a dream start, delivering a dominant performance at the Bronkhorstspruit opener. Backed by title sponsor Castrol, the team showcased the advanced capabilities and reliability of their NWM Evo Plus against fierce competition. The formidable three-car lineup demonstrated outstanding speed and reliability in the fast, dusty conditions helped by well-rehearsed teamwork back in the pit area.
This year’s race followed a similar route to the 2024 season finale, but with a few new twists and turns. Large rocks hiding in the long grass meant there was plenty to keep drivers and teams on their toes, demanding complete focus throughout the event.
After two days of racing, Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, the 2023 SARRC champions, went into the final stage with a slender lead over Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet in the Toyota. The NWM duo held their nerve in the final stage to claim top honours by nearly three minutes and take an early lead in the championship standings heading into the next round in Parys on 15-16 August.
“Crossing the finish line in first place at the first event of the year is fantastic”, said Gareth Woolridge. “It’s nice to get an edge over the competition early on. We were down a bit in position but I knew that the vehicle had the pace and if we kept doing more of the same we would have the pace. We really pushed hard from start to finish and the car was indestructible! This result is fantastic for the team and hopefully this win sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
In the other NWM Evo Plus, Lance Woolridge made an unexpected return to SARRC competition by stepping in for the injured Wors Prinsloo. Together with co-driver Andre Vermeulen, the duo quickly found their rhythm and delivered a competitive performance, staying in close contention with the front runners and finishing fifth overall.
Brazilian and South American rally-raid champions Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea brought their international experience to home soil with and steady drive, finishing 7th overall. The duo, with multiple Brazilian Cross Country Championship titles and a South American championship win in 2019, continue to adapt quickly to the demands of the local terrain.
The team’s success is a testament to the NWM Evo Plus which is meticulously designed and manufactured by Neil Woolridge Motorsport in Pietermaritzburg. Powered by Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the NWM Evo has been refined through extensive local and international rally-raid experience.
“What an incredible way to start the season,” said team principal Neil Woolridge. “I’m immensely proud of the entire team; their dedication and hard work over the off-season are really paying off. The improvements we’ve made to the vehicle were clearly visible out there and it performed flawlessly across some very tough terrain. A huge thank you to every team member and our valued partners and sponsors for their unwavering support. While this result is exactly what we hoped for, there are still valuable lessons to take from the weekend as we push to be even stronger for the rest of the championship,” said Neil Woolridge.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Castrol NWM Ford Team is well-positioned for what promises to be a thrilling 2025 SARRC campaign.
