New Hilux strengthens Toyota GAZOO Racing 2024 Dakar and W2RC season

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) will likely be competing in 2024 with the up to date model of its Dakar-winning automotive, now generally known as the GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U – a reputation that displays each the upgrades to the automotive and the brand new W2RC categorisation.

Toyota GAZOO Racing 2024 groups and targets

The workforce will enter 5 crews at Dakar 2024, together with two rookie drivers taking over the world’s hardest automotive race. This would be the largest workforce that TGR has ever fielded on the iconic Dakar Rally, mixing unparalleled expertise within the type of Giniel de Villiers with the simple tempo of Lucas Moraes and Seth Quintero.

Finally, the workforce has additionally confirmed that each Lucas and Seth, along with their co-drivers, will likely be competing within the 2024 season of FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

Dakar 2024 will likely be Round 1 of the 2024 W2RC, and as such will probably be a crucial rally for TGR’s two confirmed W2RC crews: Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon, in addition to Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz.

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These two crews will likely be eager to get their W2RC marketing campaign off to a stable begin, with 4 rounds following the season-opening Dakar Rally. These occasions are:

• Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (25 February-2 March, 2024)
• BP Ultimate Rally-Raid in Portugal (2-7 April, 2024)
• Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina (2-8 June, 2024)
• Rally of Morocco (5-11 October, 2024)

While these two crews will likely be preventing for victory within the W2RC after the Dakar Rally, the three South African drivers will likely be taking over the extremely aggressive and thrilling South African Rally-Raid Series (SARRC), which additionally serves as the principle testing programme for the event of the GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U.

Lucas Moraes was the revelation of Dakar 2023, working in second place for many of the rally in a privately entered Toyota Hilux, however finally settling for third total – making him one of the crucial profitable rookies within the historical past of the Dakar Rally. This 12 months, the younger Brazilian will likely be paired with Armand Monleon from Spain, who initially competed within the Dakar on a motorbike, earlier than switching first to SSVs and now to the highest flight of rally-raid racing.

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They may have Seth Quintero and co-driver Dennis Zenz for firm all year long. Seth has been described as a rally-raid prodigy, and one of many greatest skills within the present pool of rising drivers. His simple tempo, along with a depth of expertise that belies his youth, makes him one of many hottest properties within the bivouac, and TGR is happy to see what the quick, younger driver can obtain from behind the wheel of the brand new GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U. Seth may have German co-driver, Dennis Zenz, beside him within the automotive, and will likely be trying ahead to finishing their fourth Dakar collectively.

Both these youthful crews will likely be trying to attract on the expertise provided to the workforce by Giniel de Villiers, who received the Dakar Rally in 2009. Giniel has an unparalleled document within the occasion, having accomplished 20 Dakars thus far. He has completed within the Top 10 19 occasions, achieved eight podium finishes and 15 Top 5 finishes. He will once more be partnered with Dennis Murphy from South Africa, as he has been since Dakar 2022. The pair additionally received the SARRC title collectively in 2022.

They will likely be joined by younger racing sensation, Saood Variawa and his co-driver, Francois Cazalet. Saood competes for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA within the Global Touring Car Championship in South Africa; and additionally drives a Toyota Hilux T1+ as a part of the South African SARRC squad. Despite his youth (Saood is simply 18 years outdated, and amongst the youngest works drivers ever to race on the Dakar Rally), the Johannesburg-based racer has a depth of expertise, and will likely be trying ahead to tackling the Dakar Rally for the primary time in 2024. His father, Shameer, accomplished two Dakar Rallies as a part of the identical workforce, and Saood will likely be eager to comply with in his father’s footsteps.

The ultimate crew within the line-up is Guy Botterill and co-driver Brett Cummings. Cummings is a well-recognized face within the workforce, as he normally co-drives for Henk Lategan, who can’t compete as a consequence of a shoulder harm following a heavy crash in South Africa earlier within the 12 months. Guy will likely be going through his first Dakar Rally, and will likely be hoping that Brett’s expertise on the occasion will stand him in good stead. Guy has a formidable document in South African rallies, and moved throughout to the rally-raid self-discipline full-time throughout 2023. He completed as runner-up within the SARRC this 12 months, narrowly lacking out on a title.

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New GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U

The new automotive is 100 mm wider than its predecessor and incorporates a number of refinements. The suspension has seen particular consideration and the air-con unit has been relocated for extra effectivity. In addition, the automotive has been fitted with a brand new cooling bundle, permitting for larger redundancy.

Toyota’s deal with high quality, sturdiness and reliability was a key issue within the improvement of the brand new automotive.

As such, the automotive has been in fixed improvement all year long and TGR’s crews have accomplished almost 30,000km of racing and testing in 2023 season of W2RC and SARRC.

Additional assessments have been performed within the Kalahari Desert, and appreciable take a look at mileage was added within the Namib Desert as a part of its ultimate preparations for the Dakar Rally, main into subsequent 12 months’s W2RC.

Newly-developed biofuel

At the identical time, the workforce has additionally been integrating its plans for a extra sustainable future, with a watch on the Dakar Future undertaking. As a part of its dedication to this undertaking, the TGR Dakar Team has partnered with Repsol, to achieve the required targets effectively forward of the 2026 deadline.

Repsol provides fuels to TGR with 70% renewable content material, utilizing superior biofuels with a discount of the carbon footprint of at the very least 70%, in comparison with standard gasoline. These renewable fuels have been designed and produced on the Repsol Technology Lab in Madrid from renewable waste materials, similar to used cooking oil. They have been produced in installations licensed beneath the ISCC EU sustainability scheme, and the uncooked supplies in addition to the manufacturing processes adjust to the sustainability necessities beneath within the European Renewable Energy Directive. 

TGR has been an in depth analysis and improvement accomplice to Repsol during the last 18 months; first bench-testing and then extensively subject testing the Repsol Renewable Fuel 70R+ in numerous areas, with the ultimate pre-Dakar assessments concluding just lately in Namibia. The mix utilized by the workforce was formulated solely for TGR, in accordance with the FIA’s rules.

Dakar 2024 is ready to begin on January fifth, with a brief prologue close to the northern metropolis of Alula. Six powerful levels will comply with the prologue, together with an revolutionary ’48-hour Chrono’ stage, which is basically an prolonged marathon stage. This will likely be adopted by the standard relaxation day, which once more takes place within the Saudi capital of Riyadh (January thirteenth, 2024). Six extra levels will take the rally again in direction of the northern a part of the nation, earlier than the occasion involves an finish within the coastal metropolis of Yanbu, on January nineteenth.

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TOYOTA GAZOO Quotes

“To have achieved everything we did in 2023 is an amazing feeling. We won the Dakar Rally, as well as the W2RC titles for a second successive year, thanks to our highly durable and reliable GR DKR Hilux T1+, as well as the skills and dedication of Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel. Now, we stand at the start of a new chapter, with our GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U, which promises to raise the bar yet again. Not only that, but we are fortunate to have one of the most competitive driver line-ups in the bivouac, and we simply cannot wait to go racing again. We are excited about the future and look forward to 2024 as our new crews grow into their roles as TGR works drivers. At the same time, we are counting on the experience of Giniel and Dennis, as well as all our technical staff, to guide and nurture our new talents into the future.”

Alain Dujardyn, TGR W2RC Team Principal

“We are excited to start the 2024 W2RC with our largest team ever at Dakar, and I’m looking forward to following Seth and Dennis, and Lucas and Armand on their journey with the new GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U.”

Andrea Carlucci, Vice President, Product & Marketing Management, Toyota Motor Europe

“The Dakar Rally has a reputation as the toughest automotive race on the planet, and as such it is the perfect place for us to prove the quality, durability and reliability of our Toyota Hilux. We’ve been working hard to make our GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U even better than its predecessor, and I look forward to seeing the new car in action early in January.”

Glenn Crompton, Vice-President, Marketing: Toyota South Africa Motors

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“We are very pleased with the progress we made in developing the Toyota Hilux for the upcoming Dakar Rally. The car continues to evolve, and now the latest evolution of the GR IMT Hilux EVO T1U, sports numerous refinements that should enable our crews to compete at the very highest level. We believe the new car is even faster and more reliable than its predecessor, which is saying a lot, since that was the car that won the previous two Dakar Rallies.”

Shameer Variawa, SVR Team Principal

“Dakar 2023 was an amazing experience for me. Finishing on the podium at my first attempt was simply amazing, and while it would have been nice to stay in second place to the end, I was ecstatic with third place, too. More importantly, I proved that I am capable of sustaining the necessary pace over the entirety of the Dakar, and hope to do so again in 2024. At the same time, I have learnt a lot from my various racing activities this year, and I’m looking forward to expanding on this as part of TGR’s W2RC squad for 2024.”

Lucas Moraes

“The Dakar Rally is one of my favourite events of the year. One of the things that make it so exciting for me, is the fact that I’m closely involved with the development of each new version of the Hilux, and to see it all come together at the race is a highlight. I remain as competitive as ever, and will be aiming for a solid performance come January. I know the car is good, the team is good, and I am inspired to give Dakar 2024 my best shot.”

Giniel de Villiers

“Stepping up from SSVs to the fastest rally-raid cars in the world is very exciting for me. I’ve basically come through the ranks, and 2024 will be my first chance to compete with all the biggest names in the sport. The new version of the GR IMT Hilux EVO has impressed me no end, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to take the fight to the competition from the get-go.”

Seth Quintero

“I’m so excited about taking on the Dakar Rally for the first time. I’ve been learning a lot about rally-raid racing this year, and constantly finding ways to improve, especially in the dunes. My experience with the new GR IMT Hilux EVO has been limited but very positive. The car is simply superb, and I can’t wait to go racing in Saudi Arabia.”

Saood Variawa

“To me, taking part in my first Dakar Rally is a life-long dream that has come true. I’m a fairly new rally-raid convert, having come from the world of rallying. Even so, I feel confident with the car as I’ve been racing it all year in the SARRC. Now, it is time to step up to the biggest race of them all, and I’m excited to have Brett beside me in the car. His experience will be invaluable, as we aim to finish Dakar 2024.”

Guy Botterill

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CAR NUMBERS:

206 –     Lucas Moraes / Armand Monleon

209 –     Giniel de Villiers / Dennis Murphy

216 –     Seth Quintero / Dennis Zenz

226 –     Saood Variawa / Francois Cazalet

243 –     Guy Botterill / Brett Cummings

SPECIFICATIONS: GR IMT HILUX EVO T1U (2024)

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DAKAR RALLY 2024 ― TGR TEAM SETUP

Published by Toyota South Africa DAKAR on Motorpress

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