Navigational hurdles challenge Toyota Gazoo Racing SA in intense third stage of South African Safari Rally

After a cold night in the Marathon bivouac outside the Town of Stella, the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) teams had a tough day on the third and Marathon stage of the 2025 South African Safari Rally around Sun City in the North West Province.

The event, sponsored by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

Demanding day

The day presented another demanding test of navigation and endurance, with both crews working hard to overcome the challenge of starting near the front of the field.

The stage covered 518 kilometres in total, with a 246 kilometre competitive section, preceded by a nine kilometre liaison, and followed by a 263 kilometre road section.

Terrain conditions were as tricky as any seen so far in the rally, with vast grasslands, soft sand, rocky ridges, and an absence of clearly defined tracks, especially in the early parts of the route.

For the crews tasked with opening the road, the difficulty was compounded by the low morning sun and limited reference points in the open veld.

Stress

Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, fresh off their win on Stage two, their first ever in the World Rally-Raid Championship, were first into the special on Stage three. Despite the navigational stress of opening the route, the pair kept things tidy and pushed through the toughest terrain with a clean run.

“Today was always going to be tough,” said Botterill. 

“At the driver briefing, we were warned that the navigation would be even harder than Wednesday, and it definitely was. I think we did a fantastic job today. 

“Although our times don’t show it, I actually think today’s drive was better than yesterday’s. We drove close to 100 kilometres with no road at all, which was tricky to navigate. Dennis did a great job, no punctures, and we kept it all clean and tidy.”

The pair finished the stage in 18th place, 10min 10sec off the fastest time that saw them maintain 15th position in the overall standings, 20min 25sec off the rally lead.

Fatigue

Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet also faced a stern test.

Having started second on the road, they struggled with fatigue following a freezing night in the bivouac and found the terrain particularly taxing. 

“Today wasn’t the best of days,” said Variawa.

“I think I got a bit sick after the cold night at Marathon camp. We had a rough day, picked up a puncture and got lost a bit. We were overtaking and being overtaken by the same car a few times. But we’re still in the race and holding on.”

Variawa still delivered a solid finish, crossing 22nd on the stage, 15min 04sec down. They now sit 14th in the general classification, 18min 06sec off the overall lead of Sebastian Loeb and Fabian Lurquin. 

With two stages remaining and the race ending at Sun City tomorrow the outcome of the rally is far from settled.