A glimpse into NWM's legacy

A glimpse into NWM's legacy

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‍The Neil Woolridge name carries significant weight in the local motorsport community. A journey through the annals of history reveals a remarkable career, from securing his initial title in the Natal Enduro Championship to clinching the second Natal Championship in 1982 and claiming the National Enduro title in 1983.

With a motor technician apprenticeship qualification, Neil later joined his father, Peter Woolridge, a renowned name in local and international motor racing circles, at his Alfa Romeo dealership. This experience proved instrumental in nurturing Neil’s passion for cars, where he gained insights into spares, sales, and accounting, fueling his determination to establish his own business.

In 1991, Neil purchased a vacant fuel and service station with two workshop bays. Slowly but steadily, he transformed the business, becoming one of the pioneers in Natal to launch a 4x4 accessory outlet. Despite facing multiple challenges, the company thrived, prompting Neil to acquire new premises in the Pietermaritzburg CBD, which we recently visited.

Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) is a close-knit family business, led by Neil and supported by the enthusiastic involvement of his two sons, Lance and Gareth, who are also rally car drivers. The company also houses the Neil Woolridge Motorsport division, an entity that has dominated cross-country racing for over three decades. As Ford’s right wing in motorsport, NWM competes in the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) and manufactures and sells cross-country racing Ford Ranger bakkies to markets beyond Mzansi's borders.

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At the facility, we got up close to the Ranger rally cars, which made their debut in April and competed in the Ultimate class (formerly known as T1+) with Lance Woolridge, Kenny Gilbert, Gareth Woolridge, and Boyd Dreyer at the helm. 

One thing is for sure: there is a lot that goes into making them as competitive as they are off the beaten track. Unlike race cars that are built from a donor car, the racers are entirely redesigned to mirror the bold styling of the new standard production model. This has allowed NWM to redevelop and optimise the vehicle's aerodynamics, cooling, and off-road capabilities. The design enhancements specifically target critical areas such as the rear fender shoulder, body side contour, front fender shoulder, headlights, front grille, and bonnet shape. 

The chassis is built within a jig, with every part TIG welded by qualified welders and fabricators. All metal parts, such as uprights, control arms, gearbox mounts, engine mounts, the steering column, and all fluid tanks, are manufactured in-house. As for the steel framework, it is built to full FIA regulations, thereby conforming to all international and regional racing events. 

Power is supplied by a 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine, compliant with FIA regulations, delivering 265kW of power, and mated to a SADEV SC924 Evo gearbox, which shifts gears as it propels the car to a maximum authorised speed of 170km/h. 

The 17-inch wheels are fitted within substantial 37-inch BF Goodrich tyres, while Brembo’s 6-piston air-cooled brakes at the front and rear offer stopping capability. 

In this year’s SAARC, Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer are determined to defend their title. Their valuable experience from the challenging 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where they secured a Top 7 position in the final stage, will undoubtedly serve them well. Meanwhile, Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert embark on their second season together, having demonstrated impressive pace last year, including a second-place overall finish in the final round of 2023.

In June at the TGRSA Safari 1000 marathon race, the latter finished second, while the reigning champions Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer finished fourth after recovering from technical troubles on the second day. 

The upcoming race is scheduled to take place in Parys, Free State, from the 16th to the 17th of August, where the NWM team will face formidable competitors from across the country.

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