Toyota dominates desert race

Thalefang Charles | Monday June 30, 2014 07:00

 

Toyota made a clean sweep as Leroy Poulter/Rob Howie and Johan Horn/ Werner Horn joined the winners on the podium at position two and three respectively.

Speaking after completing the 1000km race popularly known as Matshwabisi, Taylor said this was a special victory. “Winning this race driving a Toyota, in a Toyota country is such a great and special moment for us,” he said. Taylor and Murphy started on Saturday at position eight at two minutes and 51 seconds after Reinaldo Varela and Gustavo Guglemin who began on pole position. They were both driving a Toyota Hilux. The winning duo finished Day One in number one position ahead of fellow Toyota drivers Poulter/Howie.

Taylor was however cautious when they started on pole position on the final race day on Sunday because of his 2011 race that he led for two days only to lose it with just 12km remaining. This unfortunate experience was hanging in his mind as he raced for his life on the final day of the race. “I don’t want to be too optimistic as three years ago I broke a drive shaft with only 12km to go and failed to win. It is man versus machine and we will see how it goes,” he said before the start of the second and final day of the race.

At the end of the race on Sunday afternoon the now relieved Taylor said the race is a “challenging event and it is not over until it is over”. He disclosed that everyone wants to win the race because it is the longest in Africa and for the fact that it qualifies competitors for the coveted Dakar Rally. The special vehicle category was won by Wichard Sullwald and Herman Sullward of Elegant Fuel Stryker. Arthur Barnes with Anthony Usher of Bat Venom and James Watson with John Thompson of Bat Venom were on position two and three respectively.

Winners in the Class G category were Gareth Woolridge with Boyd Dreyer of Neil Wool Ridge Motors Polaris. They were followed by Daniel Van Rooyen with Thys Gryvensteyn of Umzani Africa Polaris. Leander Pienaar with co-driver Stephan Marais of Motorite Polaris came third.

Interestingly Ford was nowhere on the podium this year despite impressive qualifying results where they started on position two and three.