On an event that saw only 10 classified finishers in the Production Vehicle category, Toyota picked up wins in Class D and Class E, and also wrapped up the Class E title for the second year in a row. On a tough event made even tougher by heavy overnight rain, there was also an encouraging debut for the new Castrol Toyota Hilux running in the Super Production class.
Paolo Piazza-Musso and Ockie Fourie, in a Castrol Toyota Hilux 2.7i, produced their best performance of the season to win Class D. A similar performance saw outgoing champions Hugo and Jaap de Bruyn win Class E in another Castrol Toyota Hilux 2.7i, while veterans Cliff Barker and Chris Birkin brought the new Castrol Toyota Hilux home in seventh place overall and second in the SP class.
The only casualties among the Castrol Toyota brigade were Gavin Cronje and Robin Houghton in a second Castrol Toyota Hilux running in Class D. The pair were forced to call it a day after a puncture and jammed wheel nuts.
“Gavin and Robin falling by the wayside was a disappointment, but otherwise it was a pretty good event for us,” said Toyota Motorsport manager Wammy Haddad. “Particularly encouraging was the performance of the SP vehicle.
“Cliff and Chris did a wonderful job for us and the feedback from two such experienced competitors is going to be invaluable from a research and development point of view.”
Barker, a former South African champion who has many years experience developing off road and 4×4 vehicles, was called out of retirement to debut the new Castrol Toyota Hilux. From Haddad’s point of view it turned out to be an inspired choice.
“Our main aim was to finish and provide as much technical feedback as we could manage,” said Barker. “We had a few minor problems along the way but the Toyota Hilux performed way above expectations.
“We didn’t go in for any heroics, but the vehicle obviously has huge potential and a good result first time out was satisfying for Chris and I.”
For Piazza-Musso and Fourie their first class win was compensation for a disappointing season. A clean run saw them steer clear of problems for the first time.
“Apart from one moment when we slid backwards down a slippery donga and were hit from behind by Nardus Alberts in a Special Vehicle, we had no problems,” said Piazza-Musso. “Conditions were very tricky early on but improved during the day.
“It was a good way to end the season.”
The de Bruyn father and son combination also reported a clean run, but most of the interest centred on what was going on behind them in Class E where the championship was at stake. Zane Pearce and Hennie Vosloo brought their Castrol Toyota Hilux home in eight place overall and second in class, but it wasn’t enough to secure the championship.
Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst, in the Tyco Trucks Toyota Hilux, were the last of the classified finishers and were third in class. It was enough, however, to see Visser pip Pearce by two points in the championship race.