Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa Locks out Overall South African Touring Car Championship Podium in Cape Town
2nd, 3rd and 4th for TGRSA in SATC Race 1
2nd, 4th and 6th for TGRSA in SATC Race 2
Overall SATC podium lockout for TGRSA at Killarney
Round 6 of the 2025 South African Touring Car Championship (SATC) brought the country’s top circuit racers to the iconic Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town this past weekend, 12 and 13 September. The fast, flowing circuit is famed for its high-speed sweeps, technical sections, and stunning views over Table Mountain – making it a firm favourite on the national motorsport calendar.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA (TGRSA) fielded all three of its SATC Toyota Corolla entries, while the team’s SupaCup campaign continued with the ever-popular SupaStarlet of Dawie van der Merwe. The weekend was characterised by clear skies and mild spring temperatures, making for optimal racing conditions in the Mother City.
SATC: OVERALL PODIUM LOCKOUT FOR TGRSA
Qualifying saw Michael van Rooyen place fourth after resolving a boost issue in Friday practice. He was followed by teammate Sa’aad Variawa in fifth, while Nathi Msimanga slotted into sixth – all three drivers within less than a second of pole position.
In Race 1, Van Rooyen didn’t get away cleanly from P4, but two frontrunners dropped out with mechanical issues, promoting the TGRSA veteran to second. He held the position to the flag, bagging valuable championship points. Variawa and Msimanga followed in third and fourth respectively.
Race 2 brought more silverware, as Van Rooyen made a strong start and battled near the front. He claimed second once again, just behind the race winner. Msimanga followed in third, while Variawa completed the TGRSA sweep in fourth – marking the team’s first full lockout of the combined podium. “It’s the first time I can remember us taking all three steps of the overall podium,” Van Rooyen reflected after the race.
SUPACUP: DAWIE FIGHTS BACK
For Dawie van der Merwe, the Killarney weekend started with a solid qualifying run that put the SupaStarlet fifth in class. But Race 1 ended prematurely after a coming-together in the opening stages.
The team repaired the car in time for Race 2, and Dawie delivered a spirited comeback, slicing through the field from the back of the grid to finish fourth.
“The car felt like it was on rails,”
he said after a storming recovery drive.
The final round of the 2025 SATC and SupaCup seasons will take place at the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria, on 24 and 25 October. With the championship battles nearing their conclusion, all eyes will be on TGRSA’s final push in what has already been a standout campaign.
