- Variawa, Van Rooyen and Mdakane aim for victory in Global Touring Cars (GTC)
- Oldfield set to continue with dominant form in the GR Cup
- Red Star Raceway to provide a tough challenge
No less than three TGRSA cars and drivers are once again entered into South Africa’s premier circuit racing formula, the Global Touring Cars (GTC) series. The team will be spearheaded by the experienced Michael van Rooyen who will be eager to get his 2022 title fight back on track. The “Rustenburg Rocket” is yet to taste victory in 2022, something which he will want to set right in Delmas. “So far, things have not quite gone our way this season but we’ve done what we could between the last race and now and we will most definitely be racing hard for the top spot this weekend,” commented Van Rooyen. Teammate and 16-year-old Saood Variawa has proven his mettle during the first three rounds and will now be gunning for a maiden victory. The youngster has come close with a number of second place finishes to his credit. “It has been a steep learning curve, but I really enjoy driving the TGRSA Corolla and I will do everything I can to try and claim a victory this weekend.”
The third TGRSA Corolla on the grid will be in the hands of Mandla Mdakane, once again joining the fray. Mdakane has not had the best of luck so far in 2022 and like his teammates, the Joburg-based driver will be keen to change things around in Delmas.
Racing fans in and around Delmas will also get to see the inaugural GR Cup in action for the first time at Red Star Raceway. In the GR Cup, six South African motoring scribes do battle in identical Toyota GR Yaris road-going cars. So far, Capetonian Ashley Oldfield has been the class of the field and the proverbial rabbit that the rest are chasing, but the gap has closed with drivers like Thomas Falkiner and Sean Nurse also putting up a challenge in recent races. Add to that the efforts of Mark Jones, Jeanette Kok-Kritzinger and Lerato Matabese, and the fans are in for a treat when these exciting cars take to the track.
The action will get underway with three practice sessions on the Friday of the event while qualifying and two races each are scheduled for Saturday.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Suppliers and Technical Partners
Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA, Innovation Group and Toyota Financial Services. Also Hallspeed, Motus Toyota, SKF, Spanjaard, Mastercraft, Edgecam, Supreme Springs, Shatterprufe, Smith’s Manufacturing, Lumotech and Plan-C Productions.
