Conquering the unforgiving 2023 Botswana 1000 Desert Race
Recognised as the longest and toughest of the year, outside of Dakar, the Botswana Desert Race is the ultimate test of endurance.
The Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Castrol Team dominated the competition in the 2023 Botswana 1000 Desert Race, securing a remarkable one-two finish with their EcoBoost V6-powered T1+ Ford Rangers in round three of the South African Rally Raid Championship.
The race was held in the Selebi Phikwe area in Botswana from Friday to Sunday, June 23 to 25.
The challenging conditions pushed the crews and the cars to their limits, resulting in intense battles and destroyed bodywork.
Neil Woolridge, the NWM’s principal, expressed his excitement about the team’s exceptional performance.
He highlighted their recent partnership with Ford Performance and the British-based M-Sport for the upcoming Dakar Rally in 2024, making their victory even more significant.
The NWM team’s dedication to car development, rigorous training, and meticulous preparation paid off, allowing them to dominate all three days of the race without encountering any major setbacks.
Lance Woolridge and his co-driver, Kenny Gilbert (#234), set the pace by leading the qualifying session on Friday, with their teammates Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (#277) close behind.
Saturday’s race challenged the teams with treacherous tracks lined with punishing thorn bushes and trees, causing substantial damage to the vehicles.
Despite the demanding conditions, Gareth and Boyd seized the overnight lead, followed closely by Lance and Kenny.
Sunday’s action featured a different terrain, providing some relief for the competitors and their mechanics.
Gareth and Boyd maintained their blistering pace, securing a confident victory, while Lance and Kenny celebrated their impressive second-place finish.
The team’s triumph in the race, renowned as the toughest event of the year, showcased their exceptional skills, dedication, and the continuous improvements made to their cars.
Gareth expressed his delight, emphasising the significance of the team’s one-two finish at such a demanding event.
He highlighted the ongoing work and planned upgrades that will further enhance their performance in the future.
Lance acknowledged the technical team’s hard work, recognising them as the true heroes of the weekend for their tireless efforts in repairing the vehicles and ensuring their readiness for each day of racing.
Source: MotorPress
