- Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer hold an early lead in the overall championship standings with 30 points
- The Parys 400 will cover approximately 394 kilometres, while the Vaal 400 will feature two 208-kilometre stages
- Rounds two and three of the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) are scheduled for 15-16 August 2025 in the Free State
Following a spectacular opening round, the Castrol NWM Ford Team is poised to continue its formidable performance at the upcoming Ingco Parys 400 and Ingco Vaal 400, rounds two and three of the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC). Scheduled for 15-16 August 2025 in the challenging Free State terrain, the team aims to build on their exceptional early lead in the championship standings.
The season kicked off with a dream start at the Bronkhorstspruit opener, officially known as the Renault KEC 400, where the Castrol NWM Ford Team delivered a truly dominant performance. Former champions Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer steered their NWM Evo Plus to top honours, securing a victory by nearly three minutes over their closest rivals Saood Variawa/Francois Cazalet in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux. This crucial win has propelled them to an early lead in the overall standings with 30 points, holding a seven-point advantage in the Ultimate T1+ FIA Class.
Beyond the leading duo, Wors Prinsloo, alongside Andre Vermeulen, will be eager to get his campaign underway as he returns to action following his recent injury, while Lance Woolridge returns to his role within the team’s support structure – after stepping into the driver’s seat for the injured Prinsloo at the previous event. Brazilian and South American rally-raid champions Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea brought their international experience to Bronkhorstspruit, finishing seventh overall with nine points, while continuing to adapt quickly to the demands of the local terrain. They will be flying to South Africa for the Parys event with some confidence and momentum, having also just won the Rally Dos Sertoes in Brazil.
Team principal Neil Woolridge is not taking anything for granted, “The win set a solid foundation but we know the real challenge is maintaining and taking the most from every opportunity throughout the season. We have made some very positive steps in the vehicle following Round 1 with two successful tests, the team is now fully focused on fine-tuning every detail and applying the lessons from Round 1 to be even sharper in Parys. We’re excited to keep pushing the limits and continue delivering performances that reflect the hard work of everyone involved.”
The upcoming Ingco Parys 400 and Ingco Vaal 400 will present a fresh challenge. Taking place on Friday, 15 August, and Saturday, 16 August, respectively, these two one-day events will feature approximately 800 kilometres of thrilling racing action. Each day will include a short 10km Falken Wild Peak Prologue to determine the starting order, followed by two race stages. The Parys 400 will cover approximately 394 kilometres, while the Vaal 400 will feature two 208-kilometre stages.
Race Director Evan Hutchison noted that while the terrain will be similar to what competitors have experienced in the past, over 60% of the routes will be new due to heavy rains earlier in the season. This should level the playing field, while teams can also expect challenging routes with fast and open sections characteristic of the Free State.
The Race Headquarters and Designated Service Point (DSP) for both events will be located at the Stonehenge River Lodge on the banks of the Vaal River. Service teams face a demanding schedule, with a busy afternoon and long night after Friday’s race to prepare vehicles for Saturday’s challenge.
The team’s early success is a direct testament to the advanced capabilities and reliability of the NWM Evo Plus. Designed and manufactured by Neil Woolridge Motorsport in Pietermaritzburg, this formidable vehicle is powered by Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Its performance has been refined through extensive local and international rally-raid experience while competing against the best teams and drivers in the world.
Spectators are encouraged to attend and witness top-class racing action, meet their racing heroes, and experience the race vehicles up close. The position of the crews can also be tracked using the RallySafe app which can be downloaded for iOS and Android devices from the relevant app stores.
