Botterill ready to tackle unforgiving George terrain at Outeniqua 400

SPORT NEWS - With just days to go before the highly anticipated Outeniqua 400, leading South African Rally-Raid competitor Guy Botterill has shared his excitement – and caution – ahead of what promises to be one of the toughest rounds on the calendar.

“The George terrain is going to be fantastic. It’s very mountainous, with forests and fast forestry roads, but at the same time it’s unforgiving with no margin for error,” says Botterill. “Weather can also play a huge role – you can get four seasons in one day, which keeps everyone on their toes. But that’s part of what makes this event spectacular.”

Botterill believes the competition is wide open heading into George.

“Just about everyone in the T1 Plus class is competitive. The Hilux teams are always quick, the Fords are strong, and with new terrain and routes none of us really know what to expect. It’s a level playing field, which should make for great racing.”

While rally-raid often highlights the driver, Botterill is quick to acknowledge the importance of the team behind him.

“This is very much a team sport. Navigators are the unsung heroes – they control the pace and direction at high speed, and without them we’re lost. And then there’s the mechanics and crew who spend long hours preparing the cars. We drive them hard, but a race-winning team needs a car that doesn’t break down. The support crew are just as vital to our success.”

As for preparation, Botterill says they’ll go in with their proven setup and fine-tune once they’ve tested the George terrain.

“We always arrive with a solid baseline setup and then do a shakedown to adapt to local conditions – road surfaces, weather, everything plays a role. That final fine-tuning is key.”

For fans, he says the Outeniqua 400 is a must-see. “We’ve got the latest Dakar-spec cars here in George. It’s not every day you get to see them, and especially not being pushed to the limit through the forests. To watch and hear these cars in action is absolutely spectacular. If you’re in the area, you really don’t want to miss it.”

Guy Botterill

Archie Rutherford, CEO of SA Rally-Raid agrees. “We are very excited to bring the latest technology, and Dakar-style cars to George and to the Western Cape for people to get up close and witness how they perform over the terrain. It’s a testing ground and a breeding ground for the Dakar. Guy Botteril is probably one of the top drivers in the world at the moment, coming 6th in his first Dakar race last year, and getting Rookie of the Year, so he’s one of the world leaders.

"We’re excited to be hosting an ex-winner in Giniel de Villiers, as well as some stage winners of the World Championship, Saood Variawa and Guy, and also our South African champion in the Ford, for 2023, Gareth Woolridge.”

The Outeniqua 400 also comes at a pivotal moment in the championship battle.

Round Three winner Saood Variawa leads the standings but faces pressure from seasoned rivals like Botterill and the rest of the competitive T1 Plus field. With only a handful of rounds left, George could prove decisive in shaping the outcome of the 2025 title race.

The event takes place on 19 and 20 September from Louvain Guest Farm, George.

Fans can expect around 450 km of racing across mountains, forests, fynbos and historic ox wagon trails. Spectator points will be accessible within 15 km of the Designated Service Park, with VIP hospitality packages also available.

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