Dakar Dilemmas and Desert Dramas: TGR’s Tenacious Tackle of Tough Stage 10

The Dakar Rally stands as a pinnacle of punishing prowess, and Stage 10 of the 2024 rally was no exception. It was a day where TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) crews embodied the spirit of the rally, showcasing resilience in the face of relentless challenges, with Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet emerging as the fastest TGR crew.

The stage, starting and finishing near the tourist town of Alula, turned out to be a grueling test of endurance and navigation. Rookie driver Saood Variawa, along with his French co-driver Francois Cazalet, proved their mettle by notching the 11th-fastest time on the 371km special stage. While they might have lost over 13 minutes to the stage leaders, their overall standing in 22nd place paints a promising picture for Saood’s first Dakar Rally.

Close on their heels were Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon, who faced their own set of hurdles. Despite two punctures and a nerve-wracking fuel pressure warning, they managed to clinch the 12th-best time, keeping them comfortably in third place overall. It’s a testament to their skill and the resilience of the GR IMT Hilux EVO.

TGR’s rollercoaster journey continued with Guy Botterill and Brett Cummings, who, after shining in the previous stage, faced a navigational nightmare in Stage 10. Their error cost them nearly 20 minutes, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the Dakar Rally. Yet, they remain in striking distance of the top, placed 9th overall.

Meanwhile, Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy grappled with their experimental setup, which led to two punctures and a painstakingly slow finish. Their efforts, however, were not in vain as they hold onto the 8th spot overall.

The stage wasn’t kind to Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz either. A harsh landing led to damaged rear dampers, but their spirit wasn’t dampened. They not only controlled their car but also warned following crews of the peril, embodying the true camaraderie of Dakar.

The stage was clinched by Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winoq in a privately-entered Toyota Hilux EVO, showcasing the vehicle’s robustness across different teams.

As the rally heads into Stage 11, the terrain promises more challenges with a mix of dirt and stony tracks, raising the specter of further punctures. This penultimate stage, leading to Yanbu, will be the final long stretch before the grand finale.

In the words of Shameer Variawa, SVR Team Principal, the Dakar Rally is a testament to the unpredictability of motorsports. As Saood Variawa poignantly put it, despite the physical toll, the spirit of competition keeps them pushing forward. Guy Botterill’s reflection on the day’s difficulties underlines the rally’s relentless nature, while Lucas Moraes’s experience reminds us of the thin line between triumph and tribulation. Giniel de Villiers’ struggles with the experimental setup were a gamble that didn’t pay off this time. And Seth Quintero’s account of their unfortunate incident and their sportsmanship in warning others encapsulates the essence of the Dakar spirit – resilience, camaraderie, and unyielding determination.

As the 2024 Dakar Rally nears its conclusion, the teams brace for the final showdown, with the hope and anticipation of victory driving them forward on the sands of Saudi Arabia.

DAKAR 2024 – STAGE 10 RESULTS

DAKAR 2024 – STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 10

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