The Ingco Vaal 400 delivered all the drama, with rising star Saood Variawa celebrating a breakthrough maiden victory.
Parys, South Africa (19 August 2025) – After a tough outing the day before at the Ingco Parys 400, young Saood Variawa bounced back in style at the Ingco Vaal 400. Together with French navigator Francois Cazalet, Saood took his first-ever South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) win, finishing the race in just over five hours, just 78 seconds ahead of the next team.
Ingco Vaal 400 was full of action, with twists, challenges, and plenty of excitement for fans. Variawa and Cazalet set a strong pace from the very start, staying ahead through tricky stages and proving that determination and skill pay off.
Other teams also had their moments. Guy Botterill and Oriol Valdearcos recovered from an early setback to finish on the podium, while Wors Prinsloo and André Vermeulen narrowly missed out. Brazilian racers Marcos Baumgart and Alberto Neto overcame a penalty to still finish in the top ten. Even seasoned drivers like Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy faced challenges, breaking a wheel mid-race but keeping their spirits high.
The competition did not stop there! With more to offer, the Ultimate T1+ SA Class, Marko Himmel and Francois Schoonbee took the win, and in the Adventurer Class, Johan van Staden and Sandra Labuscagne made it two victories in a row. Other Red-Lined and Daklapack teams also impressed, showing that every race is full of surprises and determination.
The Vaal 400 proved that rally-raid racing is as thrilling as ever. A mix of speed, strategy, and perseverance. With Round Four just around the corner, teams will head to the Langkloof Valley in the Western Cape on 19 and 20 September, ready to take on new challenges and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
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