Toyota (NYSE:) City, Japan, December 27, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is preparing for the ultimate test of endurance and skill as the 2025 Dakar Rally approaches.A race known for its demanding nature and unpredictable challenges, will once again take place across Saudi Arabia, with competitors facing more than 8,000 kilometers of dangerous terrain, including more than 5,000 kilometers of speed tests with timing. This year’s event promises to push competitors to their limits as they tackle one of the toughest routes in recent history.
The 2025 Dakar Rally will set the stage for the FIA/FIM World Rally Championship (W2RC), which will serve as the opening round of the season. A strong performance in this first race is crucial for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing as it aims to build on the momentum of its successful 2024 W2RC campaign, which saw the Japanese automaker secure the manufacturers’ championship for the third consecutive year.
The sixth edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia is expected to offer one of the most challenging routes to date. Competitors will begin their journey in Bishi, a city in the south-west quadrant of the country, before setting off through a meticulously designed course that takes advantage of the region’s varied and challenging terrain. The rally begins with a prologue on January 3rd, allowing competitors to establish their starting order before entering the main event.
The route has numerous highlights, including a grueling 48-hour Chrono stage that will test endurance at the start of the race, and a marathon stage where teams must rely solely on their own skills and resources to survive the night without outside help. The iconic Empty Quarter Dunes return as the centerpiece of the second week of the rally, presenting participants with towering sand dunes and challenging navigation that will separate the field.
In total, the race includes 12 stages with stage lengths ranging from a short but demanding 134 kilometers on the final day to a tough 606 kilometer Stage 6. A rest day on January 10 in Hail will offer a brief respite, but the intensity immediately resumes afterwards as in the second week, contestants battle the longest specials and challenging dunes. The rally will end in Shubaytah on January 17, where a celebratory podium awaits successful races.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will field six crews in the 2025 Dakar Rally, a blend of seasoned experience and youthful talent. Lucas Moraes, partnered with Armando Monleon (#203), and Seth Quintero, partnered with Dennis Zenza (#204), represent the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (Europe) contingent. Meanwhile, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa team includes Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (#206), Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (#211), Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy (#205) and Saood Variaw with Francois Cazalet (#218) ). Together, the six crews form one of the most consistent and successful line-ups in the rally.
Each crew will rely on the race-proven GR DKR Hilux Evo, the latest iteration of Toyota’s rally-raid platform. Building on the success of the 2024 model, the 2025 Hilux Evo features refinements to key systems and components aimed at maximizing reliability, durability and performance in the unforgiving conditions of the Dakar Rally. These improvements are in line with Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence in making ever better cars.
Before the race, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will begin its journey with careful preparation. Once the race cars arrive in Saudi Arabia, the technical teams will completely reassemble them. Race crews will then perform a thorough pre-race shakedown to ensure the cars are running flawlessly before the event begins. All competing crews and members of technical teams will undergo a mandatory accreditation process in order to obtain the necessary credentials to participate. Finally, the cars will go through rigorous technical inspections, where race officials will ensure they comply with the strict Dakar regulations. This includes checks on driver safety equipment, vehicle systems and the suitability of crews to compete.
Quotes from the TGR team
Lucas Moraes:
“The Dakar Rally is always the ultimate test for both drivers and cars, and this year’s route looks set to be one of the toughest yet. From the dunes of the Empty Quarter to the challenging rocky sections, every day will be a struggle. The GR DKR Hilux Evo has proven itself time and time again, as with the improvements made for 2025, I’m confident we have the perfect machine for the challenge. I’m excited to start the season and see how we handle such a demanding track.”
Seth Quintero:
“The 2025 Dakar Rally will be an incredible challenge and I can’t wait to take it on. The route is brutal and we know there won’t be easy days, but that’s what makes the Dakar so special. The GR DKR Hilux Evo is built for these extreme conditions, and the improvements that the team made give us the confidence to make the iconic event even stronger.”
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