The inaugural Outeniqua 400, the fourth round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship that took place from Louvain Guest Farm in the George area in the Garden Route, proved to be a real test for competitors who described it as tough and testing and in the end, it was the experienced team of Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy (#TeamHilux RallyRaid Toyota DKR T1+) who were crowned as the first winners of this new event on the calendar.
The Outeniqua 400 consisted of a short 28-kilometre Falken Wild Peak Qualifying Race followed by Stage One of 82 kilometres on Friday, 19 September and two stages of 166 kilometres on Saturday, 20 September, with the route taking competitors through the beautiful Langkloof and over the Kammanassie Mountains, and described as one of the best routes they have competed on.
For De Villiers/Murphy, who fi-nished the first day in the lead, it was a trouble-free day and as they ma-naged the race on the final day from the front from start to finish, the dust was not a major issue.
It was the team’s first overall and Ultimate FIA T1+ victories this season and their total race time was 06:41:27.
The Outeniqua 400, albeit enjoyable, tough and challenging, took its toll with sixteen teams receiving the chequered flag after two intense days of racing.
The Outeniqua 400 formed two rounds of the Eastern Cape Off-road Championship. It proved to be tough on the vehicles with two teams ma-naging to finish. Grant and Gregory Watkins (Zarco) took the victory with Noel and Annamarie Acton (ORCO) finishing second.
Teams will now prepare for the fifth and penultimate round of the SA Rally-Raid Championship that takes place at Vryheid on 31 October and 1 November.
De Villiers and Murphy conquered Outeniqua 400
Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy in action during the Outeniqua 400. Photo: Dave Lebditter