See-saw battle sets stage for penultimate SA Rally-Raid showdown
Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal – The South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) heads into its penultimate round in Vryheid on 31 October and 1 November, and the stakes could not be higher at the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400. With just a handful of points separating the frontrunners across the classes and a dynamic new title sponsor joining the fold, the 2025 season has become one of the most fiercely contested in years.
Archie Rutherford, CEO of SA Rally-Raid, says he couldn’t be happier to welcome VAPS HCV, whose involvement in the sport runs far deeper than sponsorship. The company owns two Red-Lined VK50s and competes in both the South African Rally-Raid Championship and the Off-Road North Championship through its own VAPS HCV Rally-Raid Team, while also partnering with Red-Lined Motorsport.
“Motorsport has become part of our DNA, much like reliability and resilience are part of our business,” says Abrie Olivier, Managing Director of VAPS Insurance Underwriters. “The connection also reinforces our brand’s focus on risk management and protection within the transport and logistics sectors. Sponsoring the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 was a natural progression of our growing connection with the motorsport community. We’ve seen how this sport mirrors the same values we live by – precision, endurance, teamwork and trust. The VAPS HCV 400 isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of grit and performance, and we wanted to be at the heart of that.”
And at the heart they will surely be. “Things are incredibly tight,” says Rutherford. “The level of competition, technology and driver skill this season means races are literally being decided by seconds. As we saw in Outeniqua, a single puncture or small mistake can completely shift the championship standings. At this stage, the driver and navigator who make the fewest mistakes will be the ones who ultimately take the title.”
Race Director Evan Hutchison says Vryheid will bring a unique mix of terrain to test both driver and machine. “The race is still in the mountains, but the terrain is quite different from the Western Cape,” he explains. “Competitors will experience two beautiful mountain passes and fast forestry sections on well-maintained, smoother commercial roads, which means we can expect a quicker race overall. But make no mistake – it’s still harsh country, with plenty of rocky sections ready to catch out the unwary.”
The Friday Prologue will be a short but intense 12 km sprint, followed by Stage 1 in the lowlands – a more technical section demanding precision and control. On Saturday, drivers face an 180 km loop through the region’s mountain passes, starting with tricky lowland sections before opening up into high-speed forest roads and an 18 km climb through the mountains. “It’s a course that will definitely require a new set of skills,” Hutchison adds.
Beyond the championship drama, the VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 also promises a welcome economic and tourism boost for the town. “Vryheid is a proud and historic community,” says Rutherford. “It’s known for its cattle ranching and coal mining heritage, and the town has been incredibly supportive of this event. We’re looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans and enjoying their warm Zululand hospitality once again – complete with beer tents and entertainment.”
The event offers multiple spectator viewing points close to the Designated Service Park, ensuring fans won’t miss the action. Visitors can also explore the surrounding battlefields, game reserves and scenic routes that make Zululand one of South Africa’s hidden gems.
As for VAPS, Olivier says this is just the beginning of a long-term journey with South African motorsport.
“Our involvement has grown from sponsorship to genuine passion,” he notes. “This partnership is not just about branding – it’s about shared values and mutual respect between industries that understand risk, endurance and reward. We see this as the continuation of a long and exciting journey with the Rally-Raid community.”
With just two rounds remaining, every kilometre counts. Expect high drama, razor-thin margins, and one of the most thrilling title battles in recent SARRC history.
Fans can follow live updates via the RallySafe App, available free on iStore and Google Play, or through the official SA Rally-Raid Championship social media channels:
Facebook: @sarallyraidchampionship
Instagram: @sarallyraidchampionship
YouTube: @SouthAfricanRallyRaidSARRC
Title race wide open as SA Rally-Raid heads to Vryheidhttps://t.co/0O7pqWvJNe#ArriveAlive #SARallyRaid pic.twitter.com/nC1bXnGUbz
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 11, 2025
See-saw battle sets stage for penultimate SA Rally-Raid showdownhttps://t.co/Y1sLYulPpv #ArriveAlive #SARallyRaid pic.twitter.com/PCV87iPYOP
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 11, 2025