GEORGE NEWS - The inaugural Outeniqua 400, the fourth round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship, lived up to its billing as one of the toughest events on the calendar.
Hosted from the Louvain Guest Farm near George, the route took crews through the Langkloof and Kammanassie Mountains, earning praise as one of the best yet.
It was Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy (#TeamHilux Rally-Raid Toyota DKR T1+) who mastered the conditions to claim the first-ever Outeniqua 400 title.
After leading from day one, they managed their pace perfectly, securing their first overall and FIA T1+ victory of the season in 06:41:27.
The Castrol NWM Ford Rally-Raid Team locked out the remaining podium spots.
Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (Ford Ranger Evo Plus) finished just a minute adrift despite multiple punctures, while Brazilian teammates Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea impressed with a clean run to third (06:50:47).
The Blignaut brothers, Fouché and Bertus (#TeamHilux Rally-Raid Toyota DKR Hilux T1+), lost four-wheel drive early on and dropped to fourth. Toyota Gazoo Racing endured mixed fortunes: Saood Variawa and François Cazalet recovered from a dramatic rollover to claim fifth, while Guy Botterill and Mena Valdearcos lost hours after plunging down a cliff, but salvaged 11th.
Class honours went to Johan and Sean van Staden (Adventurer, Renault Duster), Philip Botha/Andries Mynhardt (Ultimate SA T1+, Red-Lined Revo), and Henk Klaassen/Gerhard Schutte (Challenger, Taurus T3Max), all finishing in the top 10.
Only 16 teams saw the chequered flag after two gruelling days.
Competitors now turn their focus to the penultimate championship round in Vryheid on 31 October and 1 November.
Brazilian teammates Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea came in third.
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