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TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) made a promising start to the 2026 South African National Rally Championship (SANRC), as motoring journalist Mark Jones and navigator Kes Naidoo brought the team’s Toyota GR Yaris home in sixth place overall, and second in class, at the ICAM All-Tar Rally.
The event, which marked the opening round of the season, also represented a new chapter for TGRSA, with the GR Yaris making its competitive debut in the hands of a media driver - a natural extension of the successful GR Cup programme.
For Jones, the rally delivered exactly what was expected: a steep learning curve, combined with a highly rewarding experience.
“It was massively exciting, and somewhat scary, being my first time rallying with this car,” said Jones after the event. “I’ve got a new respect for these rally drivers - not just in terms of car control, but also the endurance required. Once you’re on the clock, you’re on the clock all day. There’s no real downtime, and you have to stay focused the whole time.”
The all-tar event, run in wet and demanding conditions, presented a unique challenge. With a rally car setup that prioritises versatility over outright grip on tar, the crew had to adapt quickly to changing surfaces and grip levels throughout the day.
“The biggest adjustment for me was the constant pressure - staying on time, dealing with changing conditions, and trusting the notes,” Jones explained. “I’ve never had pace notes read to me before, so that was completely new. But Kes did a fantastic job - calm, clear, and very supportive throughout.”
Despite a few minor offs during the day, the crew steadily built confidence and pace, improving with each stage. Their measured approach paid off, as they capitalised on the high attrition rate to climb the order.
“We had a few moments, nothing serious, and just kept pushing. With each new stage, we got a little bit quicker. The goal was always to finish, and we achieved that.”
The result also underlined the reliability of the GR Yaris, which completed the event without major mechanical issues.
“The car ran flawlessly,” added Jones. “It did exactly what you’d expect from a Toyota GR Yaris — it kept going, it got us to the finish, and that’s the most important thing.”
With the first event now complete, the team will continue to develop both car and crew as the season progresses, with further upgrades already planned.
“It’s been a massive learning curve — exhausting, but incredibly exciting,” Jones concluded. “We’ve got a great team behind us, and we’re looking forward to building on this.”
The next round of the 2026 South African National Rally Championship will be the Cape Swartland Rally, which takes place in and around the Western Cape town of Malmesbury on 24 and 25 April.
