Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

• Ford is launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate


• Focus RS will be made available globally for first time


• Ford bringing more global performance vehicles to customers worldwide; more than 12 new performance vehicles through 2020 – including Focus RS – to be available globally

• Ford uniting regional performance engineering and racing teams as one global team under Ford Performance, delivering more new vehicles and parts, sooner

PRETORIA, South Africa, Dec. 11, 2014 - Ford today confirmed it will be launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate.* The company announced that the all-new RS will be made available to customers in major markets around the world for the first time.

Ford also announced that the all-new Focus RS is one of more than 12 new performance vehicles coming for global enthusiasts through 2020. This is part of the company’;s plan to deliver more performance vehicles, parts and accessories for customers around the world – more quickly – through a new global Ford Performance team.

“Ford remains committed to innovation through performance,” says Raj Nair, Ford’;s group vice president, Global Product Development. “Through our global Ford Performance team that ties together racing, performance vehicles, and parts, we can more quickly bring to market products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track.”

Focus RS, which builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating back to the first Ford RS in 1968, was last introduced in 2009.

“To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver’;s car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving,” Nair said.

In addition to pleasing enthusiasts, vehicles such as Focus RS help deliver the company’;s One Ford plan for profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of its business. Performance vehicle sales are growing around the world – with sales in Europe and the U.S. up by 14 percent and 70 percent respectively, since 2009.

Powering performance vehicles, such as the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, is Ford’;s award-winning EcoBoost engine range. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost engine in 2009, Ford has produced more than 2 million EcoBoost engines globally.

“EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our line-up, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive – not just our Ford Performance line-up,” Nair said. “From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our line-up benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit.”

New global team

The new Ford Performance organisation unifies Team RS, Ford SVT, and Ford Racing globally, serving as an innovation laboratory and test-bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers.

This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford’;s product portfolio.

In addition to race tracks around the world, the team also will develop new vehicles and technologies at Ford’;s engineering centres globally and at a new technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility helps the team deliver racing innovations as well as advancing tools for use in performance vehicles and daily drivers alike.

The Ford Performance organization is led by Dave Pericak, who has been appointed director, Global Ford Performance.

Heritage of Performance Innovation

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford’;s DNA, dating back 113 years ago when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race against Alexander Winton – then America’;s greatest racer.

Following a remarkable upset victory in front of Detroit’;s business elite, some of whom immediately came forward to back whatever automotive venture Henry had in mind, Ford Motor Company opened 18 months later.

“Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901 – to prove out our products and technologies against the very best in the world,” Nair said. “The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world.”

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

• Ford is launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate


• Focus RS will be made available globally for first time


• Ford bringing more global performance vehicles to customers worldwide; more than 12 new performance vehicles through 2020 – including Focus RS – to be available globally

• Ford uniting regional performance engineering and racing teams as one global team under Ford Performance, delivering more new vehicles and parts, sooner

PRETORIA, South Africa, Dec. 11, 2014 - Ford today confirmed it will be launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate.* The company announced that the all-new RS will be made available to customers in major markets around the world for the first time.

Ford also announced that the all-new Focus RS is one of more than 12 new performance vehicles coming for global enthusiasts through 2020. This is part of the company’;s plan to deliver more performance vehicles, parts and accessories for customers around the world – more quickly – through a new global Ford Performance team.

“Ford remains committed to innovation through performance,” says Raj Nair, Ford’;s group vice president, Global Product Development. “Through our global Ford Performance team that ties together racing, performance vehicles, and parts, we can more quickly bring to market products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track.”

Focus RS, which builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating back to the first Ford RS in 1968, was last introduced in 2009.

“To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver’;s car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving,” Nair said.

In addition to pleasing enthusiasts, vehicles such as Focus RS help deliver the company’;s One Ford plan for profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of its business. Performance vehicle sales are growing around the world – with sales in Europe and the U.S. up by 14 percent and 70 percent respectively, since 2009.

Powering performance vehicles, such as the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, is Ford’;s award-winning EcoBoost engine range. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost engine in 2009, Ford has produced more than 2 million EcoBoost engines globally.

“EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our line-up, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive – not just our Ford Performance line-up,” Nair said. “From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our line-up benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit.”

New global team

The new Ford Performance organisation unifies Team RS, Ford SVT, and Ford Racing globally, serving as an innovation laboratory and test-bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers.

This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford’;s product portfolio.

In addition to race tracks around the world, the team also will develop new vehicles and technologies at Ford’;s engineering centres globally and at a new technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility helps the team deliver racing innovations as well as advancing tools for use in performance vehicles and daily drivers alike.

The Ford Performance organization is led by Dave Pericak, who has been appointed director, Global Ford Performance.

Heritage of Performance Innovation

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford’;s DNA, dating back 113 years ago when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race against Alexander Winton – then America’;s greatest racer.

Following a remarkable upset victory in front of Detroit’;s business elite, some of whom immediately came forward to back whatever automotive venture Henry had in mind, Ford Motor Company opened 18 months later.

“Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901 – to prove out our products and technologies against the very best in the world,” Nair said. “The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world.”

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

• Ford is launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate


• Focus RS will be made available globally for first time


• Ford bringing more global performance vehicles to customers worldwide; more than 12 new performance vehicles through 2020 – including Focus RS – to be available globally

• Ford uniting regional performance engineering and racing teams as one global team under Ford Performance, delivering more new vehicles and parts, sooner

PRETORIA, South Africa, Dec. 11, 2014 - Ford today confirmed it will be launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate.* The company announced that the all-new RS will be made available to customers in major markets around the world for the first time.

Ford also announced that the all-new Focus RS is one of more than 12 new performance vehicles coming for global enthusiasts through 2020. This is part of the company’;s plan to deliver more performance vehicles, parts and accessories for customers around the world – more quickly – through a new global Ford Performance team.

“Ford remains committed to innovation through performance,” says Raj Nair, Ford’;s group vice president, Global Product Development. “Through our global Ford Performance team that ties together racing, performance vehicles, and parts, we can more quickly bring to market products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track.”

Focus RS, which builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating back to the first Ford RS in 1968, was last introduced in 2009.

“To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver’;s car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving,” Nair said.

In addition to pleasing enthusiasts, vehicles such as Focus RS help deliver the company’;s One Ford plan for profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of its business. Performance vehicle sales are growing around the world – with sales in Europe and the U.S. up by 14 percent and 70 percent respectively, since 2009.

Powering performance vehicles, such as the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, is Ford’;s award-winning EcoBoost engine range. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost engine in 2009, Ford has produced more than 2 million EcoBoost engines globally.

“EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our line-up, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive – not just our Ford Performance line-up,” Nair said. “From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our line-up benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit.”

New global team

The new Ford Performance organisation unifies Team RS, Ford SVT, and Ford Racing globally, serving as an innovation laboratory and test-bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers.

This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford’;s product portfolio.

In addition to race tracks around the world, the team also will develop new vehicles and technologies at Ford’;s engineering centres globally and at a new technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility helps the team deliver racing innovations as well as advancing tools for use in performance vehicles and daily drivers alike.

The Ford Performance organization is led by Dave Pericak, who has been appointed director, Global Ford Performance.

Heritage of Performance Innovation

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford’;s DNA, dating back 113 years ago when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race against Alexander Winton – then America’;s greatest racer.

Following a remarkable upset victory in front of Detroit’;s business elite, some of whom immediately came forward to back whatever automotive venture Henry had in mind, Ford Motor Company opened 18 months later.

“Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901 – to prove out our products and technologies against the very best in the world,” Nair said. “The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world.”

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

• Ford is launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate


• Focus RS will be made available globally for first time


• Ford bringing more global performance vehicles to customers worldwide; more than 12 new performance vehicles through 2020 – including Focus RS – to be available globally

• Ford uniting regional performance engineering and racing teams as one global team under Ford Performance, delivering more new vehicles and parts, sooner

PRETORIA, South Africa, Dec. 11, 2014 - Ford today confirmed it will be launching an all-new Focus RS – the ultimate performance version of the world’;s best-selling global nameplate.* The company announced that the all-new RS will be made available to customers in major markets around the world for the first time.

Ford also announced that the all-new Focus RS is one of more than 12 new performance vehicles coming for global enthusiasts through 2020. This is part of the company’;s plan to deliver more performance vehicles, parts and accessories for customers around the world – more quickly – through a new global Ford Performance team.

“Ford remains committed to innovation through performance,” says Raj Nair, Ford’;s group vice president, Global Product Development. “Through our global Ford Performance team that ties together racing, performance vehicles, and parts, we can more quickly bring to market products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track.”

Focus RS, which builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating back to the first Ford RS in 1968, was last introduced in 2009.

“To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver’;s car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving,” Nair said.

In addition to pleasing enthusiasts, vehicles such as Focus RS help deliver the company’;s One Ford plan for profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of its business. Performance vehicle sales are growing around the world – with sales in Europe and the U.S. up by 14 percent and 70 percent respectively, since 2009.

Powering performance vehicles, such as the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, is Ford’;s award-winning EcoBoost engine range. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost engine in 2009, Ford has produced more than 2 million EcoBoost engines globally.

“EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our line-up, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive – not just our Ford Performance line-up,” Nair said. “From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our line-up benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit.”

New global team

The new Ford Performance organisation unifies Team RS, Ford SVT, and Ford Racing globally, serving as an innovation laboratory and test-bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers.

This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford’;s product portfolio.

In addition to race tracks around the world, the team also will develop new vehicles and technologies at Ford’;s engineering centres globally and at a new technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility helps the team deliver racing innovations as well as advancing tools for use in performance vehicles and daily drivers alike.

The Ford Performance organization is led by Dave Pericak, who has been appointed director, Global Ford Performance.

Heritage of Performance Innovation

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford’;s DNA, dating back 113 years ago when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race against Alexander Winton – then America’;s greatest racer.

Following a remarkable upset victory in front of Detroit’;s business elite, some of whom immediately came forward to back whatever automotive venture Henry had in mind, Ford Motor Company opened 18 months later.

“Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901 – to prove out our products and technologies against the very best in the world,” Nair said. “The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world.”

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in overall 2014 Championship

• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Class S Championship


• Toyota 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th in Atlas Copco Gold 450 production vehicles


• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Atlas Copco Gold 450 Class S


• Toyota won all classes entered in all championships (cross country and rally) in 2014

In a race with more plot twists and heart-stopping moments than an afternoon soap opera, defending champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy added the 2014 Donaldson Cross Country Championship title to Castrol Team Toyota’s tally for the year. The pair finished fifth overall – high enough to bag the title – in the Atlas Copco Gold 450 after a disappointing qualifying round that saw them start the race from the back of the field.

“Anthony and Dennis really drove an amazing race,” said Team Principal Glyn Hall after the final event of the season. “They had to take part in the mass start, but they fought back relentlessly and finished 5^th when the dust settled. Enough to win the 2014 title by what turned out to be a comfortable margin in the end.”

Taylor/Murphy was embroiled in a battle for the title with the Malalane Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn, who ironically campaign Taylor’s championship-winning Toyota Hilux from 2013. Just 14 points separated the 2 teams before the final round, and when things didn’t go according to plan for Taylor/Murphy in the prologue, which determines the all-important start positions for the main event, it was clear that the fight was going to go to the wire.

“A rogue rock damaged one of our rear brake lines early in the prologue,” explains Taylor. “We lost nearly half an hour as we sorted things out, and even though we eventually got going again we had to settle for the mass start – not the place from which to win a championship.”

But champions don’t become champions because they lack tenacity, and Taylor/Murphy are proven champions. So they fought back throughout the 350 km route of the main event, overtaking an impressive number of competitors in the process, and placing themselves in a position to capitalise on any problems the front-runners may have. Their tenacity paid off, as they finished in 5^th place – just 2 spots behind the Horn brothers, and enough to secure their second title on the trot.

Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second Castrol Team Toyota Hilux started strong. Despite suffering a puncture in the prologue, the pair posted a time just 6 minutes off the leading pace, and they came out of the blocks charging hard in the main event. An unfortunate accident near a road crossing saw them collide with one of the special vehicles ahead of them, which caused significant damage to their Toyota Hilux’s oil cooling system. They were forced to retire, and as a result had to settle for 4th overall in the championship.

In Class S for older-spec race vehicles it was 4×4 Megaworld’s Deon Venter and Jaco van Aardt, who took class honours in their Toyota Hilux, pipping newly crowned class champions Jannie Visser and Joks le Roux (Ruwacon Racing Toyota Hilux) by 10 minutes. Despite the class win, Venter/Van Aardt had to settle for second place in the championship.

“We are overjoyed by our motorsport results this year,” says Hall. “Thanks to the great results achieved by some of the privateers who also race Toyota products, we have won every single class we entered in 2014, in both the South African National Rally Championship and the Donaldson Cross-Country championship.”

Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee bagged the South African National Rally Championship title in their Castrol Team Toyota Yaris S2000, while Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle achieved the same in Class S1600 (Yato Toyota Etios R2). In the Cross Country Championship it was Taylor/Murphy in Class T (the top class for production vehicles), and Visser/Le Roux in Class S.

“It was a fantastic year for us,” says newly crowned champion Anthony Taylor. “The team did an amazing job, and the Hilux was as reliable as ever. What a feeling to win 2 championships in a row!”

Castrol Team Toyota fielded the 2 newly built Dakar Toyota Hilux race vehicles on the Atlas Copco Gold 450. These same vehicles will depart for South America on December 15^th, and be on the start line for the world’s toughest motor race on January 4^th 2015.

Also view:

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Supplier and Technical Partners

Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Castrol, Toyota Financial Services, Imperial Toyota Group, Innovation Group, Bosch, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, Ferodo, 4×4 Mega World, FreeM, NGK, Robor, SKF and Spanjaard.

Follow the fortunes of Castrol Team Toyota on Twitter, www.twitter.com/toyotasa; and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in overall 2014 Championship

• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Class S Championship


• Toyota 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th in Atlas Copco Gold 450 production vehicles


• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Atlas Copco Gold 450 Class S


• Toyota won all classes entered in all championships (cross country and rally) in 2014

In a race with more plot twists and heart-stopping moments than an afternoon soap opera, defending champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy added the 2014 Donaldson Cross Country Championship title to Castrol Team Toyota’s tally for the year. The pair finished fifth overall – high enough to bag the title – in the Atlas Copco Gold 450 after a disappointing qualifying round that saw them start the race from the back of the field.

“Anthony and Dennis really drove an amazing race,” said Team Principal Glyn Hall after the final event of the season. “They had to take part in the mass start, but they fought back relentlessly and finished 5^th when the dust settled. Enough to win the 2014 title by what turned out to be a comfortable margin in the end.”

Taylor/Murphy was embroiled in a battle for the title with the Malalane Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn, who ironically campaign Taylor’s championship-winning Toyota Hilux from 2013. Just 14 points separated the 2 teams before the final round, and when things didn’t go according to plan for Taylor/Murphy in the prologue, which determines the all-important start positions for the main event, it was clear that the fight was going to go to the wire.

“A rogue rock damaged one of our rear brake lines early in the prologue,” explains Taylor. “We lost nearly half an hour as we sorted things out, and even though we eventually got going again we had to settle for the mass start – not the place from which to win a championship.”

But champions don’t become champions because they lack tenacity, and Taylor/Murphy are proven champions. So they fought back throughout the 350 km route of the main event, overtaking an impressive number of competitors in the process, and placing themselves in a position to capitalise on any problems the front-runners may have. Their tenacity paid off, as they finished in 5^th place – just 2 spots behind the Horn brothers, and enough to secure their second title on the trot.

Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second Castrol Team Toyota Hilux started strong. Despite suffering a puncture in the prologue, the pair posted a time just 6 minutes off the leading pace, and they came out of the blocks charging hard in the main event. An unfortunate accident near a road crossing saw them collide with one of the special vehicles ahead of them, which caused significant damage to their Toyota Hilux’s oil cooling system. They were forced to retire, and as a result had to settle for 4th overall in the championship.

In Class S for older-spec race vehicles it was 4×4 Megaworld’s Deon Venter and Jaco van Aardt, who took class honours in their Toyota Hilux, pipping newly crowned class champions Jannie Visser and Joks le Roux (Ruwacon Racing Toyota Hilux) by 10 minutes. Despite the class win, Venter/Van Aardt had to settle for second place in the championship.

“We are overjoyed by our motorsport results this year,” says Hall. “Thanks to the great results achieved by some of the privateers who also race Toyota products, we have won every single class we entered in 2014, in both the South African National Rally Championship and the Donaldson Cross-Country championship.”

Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee bagged the South African National Rally Championship title in their Castrol Team Toyota Yaris S2000, while Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle achieved the same in Class S1600 (Yato Toyota Etios R2). In the Cross Country Championship it was Taylor/Murphy in Class T (the top class for production vehicles), and Visser/Le Roux in Class S.

“It was a fantastic year for us,” says newly crowned champion Anthony Taylor. “The team did an amazing job, and the Hilux was as reliable as ever. What a feeling to win 2 championships in a row!”

Castrol Team Toyota fielded the 2 newly built Dakar Toyota Hilux race vehicles on the Atlas Copco Gold 450. These same vehicles will depart for South America on December 15^th, and be on the start line for the world’s toughest motor race on January 4^th 2015.

Also view:

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Supplier and Technical Partners

Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Castrol, Toyota Financial Services, Imperial Toyota Group, Innovation Group, Bosch, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, Ferodo, 4×4 Mega World, FreeM, NGK, Robor, SKF and Spanjaard.

Follow the fortunes of Castrol Team Toyota on Twitter, www.twitter.com/toyotasa; and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in overall 2014 Championship

• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Class S Championship


• Toyota 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th in Atlas Copco Gold 450 production vehicles


• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Atlas Copco Gold 450 Class S


• Toyota won all classes entered in all championships (cross country and rally) in 2014

In a race with more plot twists and heart-stopping moments than an afternoon soap opera, defending champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy added the 2014 Donaldson Cross Country Championship title to Castrol Team Toyota’s tally for the year. The pair finished fifth overall – high enough to bag the title – in the Atlas Copco Gold 450 after a disappointing qualifying round that saw them start the race from the back of the field.

“Anthony and Dennis really drove an amazing race,” said Team Principal Glyn Hall after the final event of the season. “They had to take part in the mass start, but they fought back relentlessly and finished 5^th when the dust settled. Enough to win the 2014 title by what turned out to be a comfortable margin in the end.”

Taylor/Murphy was embroiled in a battle for the title with the Malalane Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn, who ironically campaign Taylor’s championship-winning Toyota Hilux from 2013. Just 14 points separated the 2 teams before the final round, and when things didn’t go according to plan for Taylor/Murphy in the prologue, which determines the all-important start positions for the main event, it was clear that the fight was going to go to the wire.

“A rogue rock damaged one of our rear brake lines early in the prologue,” explains Taylor. “We lost nearly half an hour as we sorted things out, and even though we eventually got going again we had to settle for the mass start – not the place from which to win a championship.”

But champions don’t become champions because they lack tenacity, and Taylor/Murphy are proven champions. So they fought back throughout the 350 km route of the main event, overtaking an impressive number of competitors in the process, and placing themselves in a position to capitalise on any problems the front-runners may have. Their tenacity paid off, as they finished in 5^th place – just 2 spots behind the Horn brothers, and enough to secure their second title on the trot.

Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second Castrol Team Toyota Hilux started strong. Despite suffering a puncture in the prologue, the pair posted a time just 6 minutes off the leading pace, and they came out of the blocks charging hard in the main event. An unfortunate accident near a road crossing saw them collide with one of the special vehicles ahead of them, which caused significant damage to their Toyota Hilux’s oil cooling system. They were forced to retire, and as a result had to settle for 4th overall in the championship.

In Class S for older-spec race vehicles it was 4×4 Megaworld’s Deon Venter and Jaco van Aardt, who took class honours in their Toyota Hilux, pipping newly crowned class champions Jannie Visser and Joks le Roux (Ruwacon Racing Toyota Hilux) by 10 minutes. Despite the class win, Venter/Van Aardt had to settle for second place in the championship.

“We are overjoyed by our motorsport results this year,” says Hall. “Thanks to the great results achieved by some of the privateers who also race Toyota products, we have won every single class we entered in 2014, in both the South African National Rally Championship and the Donaldson Cross-Country championship.”

Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee bagged the South African National Rally Championship title in their Castrol Team Toyota Yaris S2000, while Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle achieved the same in Class S1600 (Yato Toyota Etios R2). In the Cross Country Championship it was Taylor/Murphy in Class T (the top class for production vehicles), and Visser/Le Roux in Class S.

“It was a fantastic year for us,” says newly crowned champion Anthony Taylor. “The team did an amazing job, and the Hilux was as reliable as ever. What a feeling to win 2 championships in a row!”

Castrol Team Toyota fielded the 2 newly built Dakar Toyota Hilux race vehicles on the Atlas Copco Gold 450. These same vehicles will depart for South America on December 15^th, and be on the start line for the world’s toughest motor race on January 4^th 2015.

Also view:

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Supplier and Technical Partners

Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Castrol, Toyota Financial Services, Imperial Toyota Group, Innovation Group, Bosch, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, Ferodo, 4×4 Mega World, FreeM, NGK, Robor, SKF and Spanjaard.

Follow the fortunes of Castrol Team Toyota on Twitter, www.twitter.com/toyotasa; and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in overall 2014 Championship

• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Class S Championship


• Toyota 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th in Atlas Copco Gold 450 production vehicles


• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Atlas Copco Gold 450 Class S


• Toyota won all classes entered in all championships (cross country and rally) in 2014

In a race with more plot twists and heart-stopping moments than an afternoon soap opera, defending champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy added the 2014 Donaldson Cross Country Championship title to Castrol Team Toyota’s tally for the year. The pair finished fifth overall – high enough to bag the title – in the Atlas Copco Gold 450 after a disappointing qualifying round that saw them start the race from the back of the field.

“Anthony and Dennis really drove an amazing race,” said Team Principal Glyn Hall after the final event of the season. “They had to take part in the mass start, but they fought back relentlessly and finished 5^th when the dust settled. Enough to win the 2014 title by what turned out to be a comfortable margin in the end.”

Taylor/Murphy was embroiled in a battle for the title with the Malalane Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn, who ironically campaign Taylor’s championship-winning Toyota Hilux from 2013. Just 14 points separated the 2 teams before the final round, and when things didn’t go according to plan for Taylor/Murphy in the prologue, which determines the all-important start positions for the main event, it was clear that the fight was going to go to the wire.

“A rogue rock damaged one of our rear brake lines early in the prologue,” explains Taylor. “We lost nearly half an hour as we sorted things out, and even though we eventually got going again we had to settle for the mass start – not the place from which to win a championship.”

But champions don’t become champions because they lack tenacity, and Taylor/Murphy are proven champions. So they fought back throughout the 350 km route of the main event, overtaking an impressive number of competitors in the process, and placing themselves in a position to capitalise on any problems the front-runners may have. Their tenacity paid off, as they finished in 5^th place – just 2 spots behind the Horn brothers, and enough to secure their second title on the trot.

Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second Castrol Team Toyota Hilux started strong. Despite suffering a puncture in the prologue, the pair posted a time just 6 minutes off the leading pace, and they came out of the blocks charging hard in the main event. An unfortunate accident near a road crossing saw them collide with one of the special vehicles ahead of them, which caused significant damage to their Toyota Hilux’s oil cooling system. They were forced to retire, and as a result had to settle for 4th overall in the championship.

In Class S for older-spec race vehicles it was 4×4 Megaworld’s Deon Venter and Jaco van Aardt, who took class honours in their Toyota Hilux, pipping newly crowned class champions Jannie Visser and Joks le Roux (Ruwacon Racing Toyota Hilux) by 10 minutes. Despite the class win, Venter/Van Aardt had to settle for second place in the championship.

“We are overjoyed by our motorsport results this year,” says Hall. “Thanks to the great results achieved by some of the privateers who also race Toyota products, we have won every single class we entered in 2014, in both the South African National Rally Championship and the Donaldson Cross-Country championship.”

Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee bagged the South African National Rally Championship title in their Castrol Team Toyota Yaris S2000, while Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle achieved the same in Class S1600 (Yato Toyota Etios R2). In the Cross Country Championship it was Taylor/Murphy in Class T (the top class for production vehicles), and Visser/Le Roux in Class S.

“It was a fantastic year for us,” says newly crowned champion Anthony Taylor. “The team did an amazing job, and the Hilux was as reliable as ever. What a feeling to win 2 championships in a row!”

Castrol Team Toyota fielded the 2 newly built Dakar Toyota Hilux race vehicles on the Atlas Copco Gold 450. These same vehicles will depart for South America on December 15^th, and be on the start line for the world’s toughest motor race on January 4^th 2015.

Also view:

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Supplier and Technical Partners

Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Castrol, Toyota Financial Services, Imperial Toyota Group, Innovation Group, Bosch, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, Ferodo, 4×4 Mega World, FreeM, NGK, Robor, SKF and Spanjaard.

Follow the fortunes of Castrol Team Toyota on Twitter, www.twitter.com/toyotasa; and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in overall 2014 Championship

• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Class S Championship


• Toyota 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th in Atlas Copco Gold 450 production vehicles


• Toyota 1^st and 2^nd in Atlas Copco Gold 450 Class S


• Toyota won all classes entered in all championships (cross country and rally) in 2014

In a race with more plot twists and heart-stopping moments than an afternoon soap opera, defending champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy added the 2014 Donaldson Cross Country Championship title to Castrol Team Toyota’s tally for the year. The pair finished fifth overall – high enough to bag the title – in the Atlas Copco Gold 450 after a disappointing qualifying round that saw them start the race from the back of the field.

“Anthony and Dennis really drove an amazing race,” said Team Principal Glyn Hall after the final event of the season. “They had to take part in the mass start, but they fought back relentlessly and finished 5^th when the dust settled. Enough to win the 2014 title by what turned out to be a comfortable margin in the end.”

Taylor/Murphy was embroiled in a battle for the title with the Malalane Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn, who ironically campaign Taylor’s championship-winning Toyota Hilux from 2013. Just 14 points separated the 2 teams before the final round, and when things didn’t go according to plan for Taylor/Murphy in the prologue, which determines the all-important start positions for the main event, it was clear that the fight was going to go to the wire.

“A rogue rock damaged one of our rear brake lines early in the prologue,” explains Taylor. “We lost nearly half an hour as we sorted things out, and even though we eventually got going again we had to settle for the mass start – not the place from which to win a championship.”

But champions don’t become champions because they lack tenacity, and Taylor/Murphy are proven champions. So they fought back throughout the 350 km route of the main event, overtaking an impressive number of competitors in the process, and placing themselves in a position to capitalise on any problems the front-runners may have. Their tenacity paid off, as they finished in 5^th place – just 2 spots behind the Horn brothers, and enough to secure their second title on the trot.

Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second Castrol Team Toyota Hilux started strong. Despite suffering a puncture in the prologue, the pair posted a time just 6 minutes off the leading pace, and they came out of the blocks charging hard in the main event. An unfortunate accident near a road crossing saw them collide with one of the special vehicles ahead of them, which caused significant damage to their Toyota Hilux’s oil cooling system. They were forced to retire, and as a result had to settle for 4th overall in the championship.

In Class S for older-spec race vehicles it was 4×4 Megaworld’s Deon Venter and Jaco van Aardt, who took class honours in their Toyota Hilux, pipping newly crowned class champions Jannie Visser and Joks le Roux (Ruwacon Racing Toyota Hilux) by 10 minutes. Despite the class win, Venter/Van Aardt had to settle for second place in the championship.

“We are overjoyed by our motorsport results this year,” says Hall. “Thanks to the great results achieved by some of the privateers who also race Toyota products, we have won every single class we entered in 2014, in both the South African National Rally Championship and the Donaldson Cross-Country championship.”

Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee bagged the South African National Rally Championship title in their Castrol Team Toyota Yaris S2000, while Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle achieved the same in Class S1600 (Yato Toyota Etios R2). In the Cross Country Championship it was Taylor/Murphy in Class T (the top class for production vehicles), and Visser/Le Roux in Class S.

“It was a fantastic year for us,” says newly crowned champion Anthony Taylor. “The team did an amazing job, and the Hilux was as reliable as ever. What a feeling to win 2 championships in a row!”

Castrol Team Toyota fielded the 2 newly built Dakar Toyota Hilux race vehicles on the Atlas Copco Gold 450. These same vehicles will depart for South America on December 15^th, and be on the start line for the world’s toughest motor race on January 4^th 2015.

Also view:

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Supplier and Technical Partners

Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Castrol, Toyota Financial Services, Imperial Toyota Group, Innovation Group, Bosch, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, Ferodo, 4×4 Mega World, FreeM, NGK, Robor, SKF and Spanjaard.

Follow the fortunes of Castrol Team Toyota on Twitter, www.twitter.com/toyotasa; and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica

Castrol Team Toyota clinches Donaldson Cross Country Championship

Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team ready for 2015 Dakar Rally

For motorsport enthusiasts the month of January is synonymous with only one thing: The Dakar Rally. The 2015 race promises to live up to the legend created by the 35 previous editions of what has become one of our planet’;s most iconic motorsport events. As in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Imperial Toyota South Africa Dakar Team will be there for the start, fielding the best race Toyota Hilux yet.

“We are very pleased with the latest evolution of our proven Toyota Hilux Dakar bakkie,” says Team Principal Glyn Hall. “This is the third generation of the vehicle which came third in its first year on the Dakar. And most importantly, the drivers are just as happy with it as I am.”

The driver line-up for 2015 is unchanged from the last Dakar: Giniel de Villiers, who won the event in 2009, will again spearhead Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team’;s attack. This will be De Villiers’; 12th year of participation in the rally. Beside him in the car is long-time navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz (Germany), who is himself a veteran of 14 Dakar Rallies.

Leeroy Poulter and navigator Rob Howie will again be in action in the second Toyota Imperial Hilux. The pair made their mark early in the 2014 race when they set the third-fastest time on Stage 3, finishing in 33rd position overall after the 13 stages that made up the race.

The new Toyota Imperial Hilux is issentially an evolution rather than a complete redesign. As such it has built on the strengths of the preceeding versions, though visually the 2015 vehicle may represent the biggest change yet.

Immediately evident is that the spare wheels have been relocated from the back of the car. One wheel now fits under the cockpit, with one each mounted on the sides behind the doors. This has shifted the significant mass (120 kg) of the wheels to an area within the axles, and also lowered the center of gravity as a result.

“You can really feel a massive difference,” says Dakar veteran Giniel de Villiers of the new layout. “The new bakkie is much faster through twisty sections, and we’;ve also worked a lot on the suspension to make it land better after jumps.”

The change in layout came largely thanks to new regulations, which allow the Toyota Imperial Hilux to be 60 kg lighter than before. In order to fully capitalise on this reduction in weight, the team decided to also maximise weight distribution for better handling and balance.

In addition to the weight saving, the regulations now also allow for a slightly larger air restrictor. This was done in an effort to level the playing field for the various different engine types that essentially compete in the same class – notably the turbo diesels that suffer less at high altitudes and in thick sand than the normally aspirated petrol engines, such as the motor used in the Toyota Imperial Hilux, do.

At the same time, the new Imperial Toyota Hilux features a fully South African-developed suspension system, a new air conditioning system and many other refinements to the original race bakkie.

All of this will be put to the test when Dakar 2015 gets under way in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 4 January 2015. Next year’;s route consists of a trans-continental loop, which visits Chile and Bolivia, before returning to Argentina for the finish back in Buenos Aires on 17 January.

The Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team will not be the only team fielding South African-developed Toyota Hilux race vehicles. As in the past, the South African team will receive logistical and infrastructure support from Belgian outfit Team Overdrive on the event. Team Overdrive also support a host of other Toyota Hilux competitors, including accomplished drivers such as Lucio Alvarez (Argentina), Bernhard 10 Brinke (Netherlands) and Yazeed Alrajhi (Saudi Arabia).

The 2 South African Toyota Hilux race vehicles depart for Argentina on 15 December, and will again be transported by SAA Cargo. South African Dakar fans can follow the fortunes of the Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotasa.

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Dakar Sponsors, Specialist Official Suppliers and Technical Partners:

Hallspeed, TFM, Castrol, SKF, Spanjaard, Robor, 4×4 Megaworld, NGK, Donaldson, Mastercraft, Sat4Rent, Oakley, Edgecam, Supreme Springs, FreeM, Bosch, Smiths Manufacturing and Shatterprufe. Also Duxbury Netgear, Innovation, Toyota Financial Services, SAA Cargo, Toyota and Imperial Toyota.

Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team ready for 2015 Dakar Rally

This Is the Heroic LeMons Team that Finished in 228th Place—So, Last—in the Biggest Endurance Race in History

At the Vodden the Hell Are We Doing? 24 Hours of LeMons race in September, 242 teams registered, 228 managed to get their hoopties onto the Thunderhill Raceway track, and 216 have been counted on the 1st lap soon after the green flag waved. Why are those numbers considerable? Nicely, that race set the record for the world’s biggest endurance road race, and the Guinness Book of Planet Records folks are in the approach of certifying it as such. With so many entries, an individual need to come in DFL, and that team was the Killer Rabbit Racing Team (KRRT) and their 1986 Volkswagen GTI. We think these guys are heroes deserving of recognition, and here’s why.

Most of the time in these races, some group gets hammered with a staggering quantity of penalty laps by the LeMons Supreme Court, and then that team’s automobile throws a rod on its 4th lap and finishes a couple of hundred laps in negative territory and thus in last place. At the record-setting race at Thunderhill, this did not occur.

The KRRT VW rolled into the inspection area during the pre-race inspections, and the LeMons Supreme Court was faced with the kind of dilemma that happens with Rabbits (and Civics) all the time: even though some examples of this kind of auto can be quite rapid on a road course, this GTI had a squishy, worn-out suspension and a track record of sluggishness in previous races. In Class A, exactly where the quickly vehicles compete, the Killer Rabbit would be eaten alive . . . but it was a tiny bit too great for Class B. So, we gave the team a choice: Class A, or Class B with a couple of handicap laps to even items out. Wisely, the team took the latter option. We have been pleased by their Monty Python & the Holy Grail theme, too.

Class B with just a couple of laps to overcome would give the KRRT guys a good shot at beating the P71 Crown Victorias and slushbox-equipped GM F-bodies. There was much optimism in the KRRT camp on Friday night.

When the huge race got going on Saturday morning, the KRRT GTI looked excellent, at very first.

Then, as so often happens with 16-valve Volkswagen engines, a terrible noise issued from below the hood, oil and smoke gushed out, and the vehicle had to leave the track behind the wrecker. The group struggled to uncover yet another engine at neighborhood junkyards but did not succeed in obtaining their automobile in working order.

The Killer Rabbit Racing Group finished one particular lap total, which gave them a total of -1 laps completed with the 2-lap class handicap factored in. That meant 228th location out of 228 entries. Who got P227, you ask? The Pit Crew Revenge “Honda Corvette” (a Civic with C4 Corvette body elements attached) also turned a single lap, but in Class A with zero handicap laps.

The Killer Rabbits refused to give up after this disappointment, and the team will return to a future California LeMons race. They’re not dead yet!

This Is the Heroic LeMons Team that Finished in 228th Place—So, Last—in the Biggest Endurance Race in History

Castrol Team Toyota in four-way title fight in Polokwane

The penultimate round of the 2014 South African National Rally Championship, the Polokwane Motor Rally, takes place on October 17 and 18 – and with 4 crews vying for the championship title, it is sure to be a spectacular battle. Castrol Team Toyota’;s Leeroy Poulter and navigator Elvéne Coetzee currently lead the title chase by 31 points over their fellow Castrol Team Toyota Yaris S2000 crew Hergen Fekken and Carolyn Swan.

Poulter is currently on 124 points, with Fekken on 93. Just 5.5 points further back are defending champions Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton in their Ford. The Volkswagen crew of Hans Weijs (Netherlands) and Bjorn Degandt (Belgium) are in 4th, 39.5 points behind Poulter.

“With a win on the Cullinan Rally and a second place on our home event in the Cape, the momentum is with us,” says Team Principal Glyn Hall. “But we know that Mark will be pushing hard, so this is going to be a big battle. It is also all about the maths, and we don’;t have to win the last 2 events to take the championship – we’;ve just got to score decent points.”

Dakar legend Giniel de Villiers, with navigator Greg Godrich beside him in the Imperial Toyota Yaris S2000, claimed a maiden rally victory on Round 6 of the championship. Despite bagging 25 points on the event, De Villiers is currently 6^th in the championship on 69 points, and cannot possibly overtake Poulter. With that said, he will be pushing hard to follow his first victory with another good result in Polokwane.

In Class S2000 Challenge, for older spec S2000 rally cars, it is PZN Panelbeaters’; Wilro Dippenaar who leads the championship, in his ex-works Toyota Auris. With Kesavan Naidoo reading his notes, the pair are 5.5 points clear of Piet Bakkes and Shaun Visser in their Toyota RunX.

For Guy Botterill and navigator Simon Vacy-Lyle the Class S1600 championship – for front-wheel-drive rally cars with engines up to 1600cc – is within touching distance. The Yato-supported Toyota Etios R2 crew won the first 4 rallies of the year, before experiencing difficulties on Round 5 at Cullinan. They bounced back with a fifth victory on the Toyota Cape Dealer Rally, and currently lead the championship by 49 points.

With 50 points on offer between the last 2 events of 2014, it is highly unlikely that the second-placed crew of Chad van Beurden and Nico Swartz (Volkswagen Polo) will be able to deny Botterill’;s championship.

In the manufacturers’; standings, Toyota has amassed 555 points to date. This is 102.5 more than Volkswagen, in second place. Ford is currently on 337.5 points, 217.5 behind Toyota.

The Polokwane Motor Rally, Round 7 of the 8-round championship, kicks off with a parade through the city starting at 11:00 on Friday 17 October. This is followed by 5 gravel stages and one short tarmac stage, offering a race distance of 70 km on Day One. Day 2, Saturday 18 October, features 4 gravel and one tarmac stage, with a distance of 105 km – bringing the total rally distance to 175 km.

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Sponsors and Specialist Official Supplier and Technical Partners

Toyota enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with Castrol, Toyota Financial Services, Imperial Toyota Group, Innovation Group, Bosch, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, Ferodo, 4×4 Mega World, FreeM, NGK, Robor, SKF and Spanjaard.

Follow the fortunes of Castrol Team Toyota on Twitter, www.twitter.com/toyotasa; and Facebook, www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica

Also view:
Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

Castrol Team Toyota in four-way title fight in Polokwane

Team Driftworks 2014

We’re really content to ultimately be in a position to announce that for 2014 Richard Grindrod and Chris Smith will be joining Phil Morrison as element of Group Drif2rks.
Wealthy will be driving his E36 M3 with a supercharged LS V8, and Chris will be driving his forged SR powered S14. Both guys are getting into BDC  Pro, and we’re very pleased to have them on board.

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Team Driftworks 2014