Wishing Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa the Best at Dakar 2025

Hold onto your Land Cruiser seat cushions, because TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is about to storm the dunes of Saudi Arabia with more determination than a toddler chasing an ice cream truck. After obliterating the competition in the 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) with a jaw-dropping 1-2-3 finish, TGRSA is revving up for the ultimate off-road circus: Dakar 2025.

The Dakar: Where Dreams Meet Dunes (and Sometimes Faceplants)

Nearly 8,000 kilometres of punishing Saudi desert, 5,000 of those timed special stages, and a route so gnarly it makes Mount Everest look like a speed bump. The Dakar is no ordinary rally; it’s a test of endurance, grit, and how well you can pretend to like sand.

This year’s route isn’t playing nice, with cruel highlights like the 48-hour Chrono Stage—perfect for anyone who hates sleep—and the infamous Marathon Stage, where crews get to play mechanics by night after battling dunes by day. It all wraps up in the Empty Quarter, a place so barren it makes you nostalgic for that cactus you accidentally killed.

GR DKR Hilux Evo: Built for Dakar, Approved by Superheroes

To tackle this madness, TGRSA is bringing their turbocharged, dune-eating marvel: the GR DKR Hilux Evo. With a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 pumping out enough power to tow a mountain, 350 mm of suspension travel to handle the gnarliest bumps, and a 540-litre fuel tank (because gas stations aren’t exactly abundant in the desert), this machine is the real deal.

Honestly, if the GR DKR Hilux Evo were a person, it’d be part superhero, part genius, and part camel.

The A-Team: Heroes in Helmets

This year’s TGRSA lineup is a blockbuster cast that rivals the Avengers:

• Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (#211): Back from a stunning SARRC win, Henk is ready to make up for missing Dakar 2024. Word is he’s packed extra sunscreen and an even bigger thirst for victory.

• Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy (#205): Guy, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, is out to prove that lightning strikes twice. Or in his case, turbocharged Hiluxes do.

• Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (#206): In his final Dakar with Toyota, Giniel’s aiming to go out with a bang, not a bump.

• Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet (#218): Young, hungry, and possibly armed with a playlist to keep the vibes high in the desert.

And let’s not forget the extended family, featuring Lucas Moraes, Seth Quintero, and their respective co-drivers, because more Hiluxes mean more awesomeness.

Toyota’s Secret Weapon: The SARRC Playbook

Let’s not kid ourselves—winning the Dakar isn’t just about driving fast; it’s about strategy, smarts, and occasionally duct tape. After dominating the SARRC with a 1-2-3 finish, TGRSA has cracked the code on desert warfare. If success leaves breadcrumbs, TGRSA’s 2024 SARRC season was a bakery.

A Toast to Team TGRSA

So, as the clock ticks down to January 5, 2025, here’s wishing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa the best of luck. May your Hiluxes remain unbreakable, your navigation on point, and your team dinners filled with tales of daring and triumph.

Oh, and remember: the Dakar is as much about survival as it is about speed. So when the sand starts flying, just keep one thing in mind—at least you’re not the guy who has to clean the cars afterward.

Go Get ‘Em, TGRSA!

Now, let’s all raise a mug of engine oil (or coffee, for the less adventurous among us) and cheer TGRSA on. Bring home the glory, the trophies, and maybe some desert selfies. We’re rooting for you, because let’s face it, nothing says “tough” like a Toyota in the Dakar.