“Variawa prepares for a historic home race in the World Rally Raid Championship”

It’s the first time since its inception in 2022, South Africa will host the third round of the W2RC from May 18 to 26.

- JEHANN NAIDOO

The 19-year-old racer, who has been behind the wheel on a karting track, was saddled in a bakkie at the front of a home crowd for the first time. South Africa’s leg in the series will be the base camp for the duration of the South African leg, and will see drivers cover around 400 km every day.

Variawa races for team Toyota Gazoo Racing and will be driving his 3.5 litre twin turbo Hilux through a mix of few sandy, flowing terrains, dense bush areas, African plains and across a few rivers around the Pilanesberg National Park.

Coming from a family with roots steeped in the world of motorsport, Variawa said he is looking forward to pushing the limits with his new terrain because he is familiar with the terrain that the W2RC will cover next month.