As the 2024 South African Touring Car Championship (SATC) season unfolds, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is primed for another action-packed weekend of racing at the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria, Gauteng. With the first two rounds already in the books, TGRSA is gearing up to continue their championship campaign with their three familiar GR Corollas in SATC trip.
In the current standings, Saood Variawa leads the charge for TGRSA, occupying third place on the leaderboard. Variawa is just six points behind the second-place contender and maintains a three-point advantage over Anthony Pretorius, who campaigns a privately entered SATC Toyota Corolla. Michael van Rooyen holds fifth place, while Nathi Msimanga follows closely in sixth. In the manufacturer's championship, Toyota holds a slender two-point lead over BMW, setting the stage for a thrilling battle throughout the season.
In addition to the SATC championship, TGRSA is also participating in the SupaCup Championship, a standalone series held as part of the larger SATC Championship. The SupaCup races take place concurrently with the SATC races, adding an extra layer of excitement to the race weekend.
This year, TGRSA is campaigning a SupaStarlet in the SupaCup Championship, with Bradley Liebenberg behind the wheel. Despite a promising start in Killarney, Liebenberg faced challenges during the second round, leaving him without any points. He currently sits in sixth place on the SupaCup leaderboard and will be aiming to make a strong comeback during Round 3 at Zwartkops Raceway.
"We are excited to continue our SATC campaign at Zwartkops Raceway this weekend," says Riaan Esterhuysen, spokesperson for TGRSA. "Saood and the entire TGRSA team are focused and determined to deliver strong performances and secure valuable championship points. With the Supacup Championship also underway, we look forward to an action-packed weekend of racing."
Round 3 of the SATC championship promises plenty of on-track action as competitors vie for valuable championship points. The Zwartkops Raceway, known for its technical layout and challenging corners, will test the drivers' skills and endurance, providing a fitting backdrop for the next chapter of the championship battle.
The weekend's schedule kicks off with practice sessions on Friday, offering teams the opportunity to fine-tune their setups and adapt to the track conditions. Qualifying sessions and two race heats will follow on Saturday, setting the stage for intense competition on the tarmac.
1. Robert Wolk | 57 |
2. Julian van der Watt | 44 |
3. Saood Variawa | 38 |
4. Anthony Pretorius | 35 |
5. Michael van Rooyen | 31 |
6. Nathi Msimanga | 26 |
7. Michael Stephen | 22 |
8. Andrew Schofield | 10 |
1. Toyota | 85 |
2. BMW | 83 |
3. Volkswagen | 42 |
1. Jonathan Mogotsi | 62 |
2. Charl Visser | 61 |
3. Keegan Campos | 53 |
4. Domonic Dias | 41 |
5. Jason Campos | 26 |
6. Bradley Liebenberg | 21 |
7. David Franco | 20 |
8. Tate Bishop | 20 |
9. Karah Hill | 16 |
10. Calvin Dias | 16 |