Guy Botterill and Henry Köhne laid the foundation for victory on Friday in the 2026 GR Stella 1000 Marathon by posting the fourth-fastest time in the qualifying race before winning the opening two stages to take the overnight lead.

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From there, the pair opened the road throughout Saturday and Sunday, facing some of the event’s most challenging navigation through long grass, sparse tracks and classic desert-race terrain.

Despite the disadvantage of running first on the road, the crew never relinquished their advantage, bringing the Toyota GR Hilux IMT EVO home in a winning time of 9hr 49min 53sec after six competitive stages.

It marked a dream first outing for Köhne alongside Botterill, who produced a faultless drive to secure victory in South Africa’s premier marathon rally-raid event.

Botterill led the whole way

“Unbelievable,” said Botterill afterwards. “It was a tough few days, leading the way all the way and opening the road throughout.

“We had a flawless run with no mistakes. And it is really special to win Toyota Gazoo Racing’s home event.

“A thousand kilometres of racing is no joke. Especially in this terrain. But we are super happy to stand on the top step of the podium.”

Botterill was equally complimentary of his new navigator. “Henry was phenomenal. From practice to the first corner. It felt like we’d been together for a long time.

“We’ve competed against each other for many years. But this was our first event together in the car and it worked fantastically.”

The Toyota GR Hilux IMT EVO romping home to victory. Picture: Supplied

Late setback costs Saood Variawa

Championship leader Saood Variawa and Charan Moore once again demonstrated race-winning pace throughout the marathon.

The pair remained within striking distance of the leaders throughout the event and started the final day less than a minute behind their team-mates.

They mounted a determined charge during Sunday’s stages before their rally was disrupted by an incident involving a spectator vehicle on a transfer section before the final competitive stage.

Although the crew repaired the damage and continued, they lost valuable time and eventually finished fifth overall.

Solid performance from Sa’aad Variawa

Youngster Sa’aad Variawa and navigator Wade Harris continued their impressive development by finishing fourth overall in what was their first marathon event.

The pair overcame navigation challenges early in the event before sustaining front-end damage after striking a rock during Sunday’s running.

Despite the setback, they persevered to complete the marathon just over 10 minutes behind the winners.

Toyota Gazoo Racing on the top step of the podium once again. Picture: Supplied

Durability and reliability are key to winning

“Winning your home event has often proven to be a tricky prospect. But I am delighted that Guy and Henry were able to secure victory at the GR Stella 1000 Marathon,” said Glenn Crompton, vice-president of marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors.

“Toyota has long been associated with the longest and toughest races on the local calendar. Taking the top step of the podium after 1 000-km of racing once again underscores the values of quality, durability and reliability that are central to everything we do.”

“To see all three of our Toyota GR Hilux IMT EVO crews finish inside the overall top five, while also securing the Manufacturer’s Award, makes the result even more rewarding.”

The result capped another successful weekend for the team, with the Toyota GR Hilux IMT EVO once again demonstrating the characteristics that have become its trademarks in both local and international rally-raid competition.

Next up Langkloof

Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa now turns its attention to the Century Property Developments / Century Racing Endurance Race in the Langkloof on 28 and 29 August.

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The recent slew of lawsuits filed against the NCAA seeking an additional year of eligibility in the wake of the recently approved age-based eligibility model in college sports has reached Missouri football.

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Former Mizzou defensive tackle Sterling Webb filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the NCAA in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County seeking an additional year of eligibility in 2026, according to court documents reviewed by the Tribune. The news was first reported by Cody Goodwin at PowerMizzou. 

Webb’s lawsuit asks the NCAA to use what its “own rules now promise every college athlete: five seasons of competition in five years.”

The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a change to its longstanding eligibility rules earlier this summer, officially known as the “age-based eligibility model.” The change will be fully implemented beginning in fall 2027, although the impact immediately can impact current college athletes with remaining eligibility.

In the now-approved rule change, an athlete will have five years to complete five full seasons of eligibility. The eligibility clock starts upon high school graduation or a person’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first. There will now be extremely limited medical redshirts and waivers.

That means many athletes who are eligible to play in the 2026-27 athletics season will now be eligible for an additional year. For instance, Mizzou seniors like Cayden Green and Brett Norfleet, who are about to use their fourth year of eligibility in four seasons, can now remain in college for a fifth season in 2027, if they choose. Under the previous rules, they would have ran out of eligibility after this year.

Here’s the reason for the legal challenge, which was widely expected when the rule change was proposed: The rule will not be applied retroactively. 

That means any athlete, like Webb, who was a member of the Class of 2022 and completed their four years of eligibility in four seasons will not be granted an additional year. The NCAA has ruled that if your eligibility ran out after the 2025-26 athletic season, it is considered complete.

The defensive tackle from St. Louis played four years of college football, starting his career at New Mexico State before transferring to Mizzou ahead of the 2024 season. Webb played 25 games for Missouri, including 11 starts. He recorded 38 total tackles for the Tigers, including two sacks. 

If he is granted an injunction against the NCAA, he would immediately be eligible for the 2026 football season. The Tigers are expected to start returning fifth-year defensive tackles Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall at the position. 

Webb, as a recent starter, would almost certainly be part of the core rotation if he is ruled eligible and returns to Mizzou. 

And the lawsuit indicates Missouri wants him back.

“Mizzou has a roster spot open for Webb, has name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) and revenue-sharing money available to him for his fifth season, and wants him on the field in 2026. Webb wants to play,” the lawsuit states. “The only thing standing between Webb and his final season is the NCAA.”

The defensive tackle went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and received a rookie minicamp offer from the Buffalo Bills.

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Two other known former Mizzou athletes are involved in similar litigation, both from the MU men’s basketball team last season.

Center Shawn Phillips Jr. has been granted a temporary injunction by a judge in Ohio and appears to be eligible to join a new team this year, and Jevon Porter is part of a lawsuit that was filed in California.

There are several Mizzou football athletes who were in the Class of 2022 and completed four years of eligibility in four seasons: Defensive end Zion Young; wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.; linebacker Khalil Jacobs; cornerback Toriano Pride Jr.; and defensive tackle Chris McClellan.

Four of those players, however, were drafted by NFL teams, and Jacobs earned a free-agent deal with the Patriots, making it more unlikely that they’ll file lawsuit as they participate in training camps ahead of the upcoming NFL season.

Mizzou reports for preseason camp on Aug. 3. The Tigers’ season-opening game is one month later against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 3 in Columbia.

“Absent prompt relief from this Court, Webb will watch from the sideline, in his home state, in his final year, while the NCAA’s own current rule says he should be playing,” the lawsuit states. “A season lost now can never be replayed.”

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football alum Sterling Webb suing NCAA for eligibility

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