The start of the 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally is just a few days away, and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Dakar Team has deployed near the starting bivouac at the northern Saudi Arabian city of Alula.
The 1000-year-old city, where the rally is due to kick off with a 28km-long Prologue on January 5th is a hive of activity with 778 crews across 72 nationalities making their final preparations. All five of the team’s GR DKR Hilux EVO T1Us have been fully assembled on site and will be undergoing a shakedown to confirm that all systems are working as expected, before the team concludes the required technical checks.
The team will be represented by Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon; as well as Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz, both crews racing in Red Bull colours. Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy will be racing in GR livery, as will their teammates Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet and multiple South African Rally Champion Guy Botterill and Brett Cummings.
The five crews will be taking on the 12 stages of Dakar 2024, starting with the prologue on January 5th near Alula; and ending the final stage leading to the coastal city of Yanbu. The rest day will take place on January 13th in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
Alain Dujardyn, TGR W2RC Team Principal: “We are excited to stand at the dawn of a new era for TGR’s Dakar and W2RC team. Not only do we have a new car, in the form of the GR DKR Hilux EVO T1U, but we also have four new crews taking part in the Dakar Rally for us. I would like to wish all of our crews the best of luck for the upcoming rally, especially those crews who will also be taking part in the remainder of the W2RC season. We have a great car and we have a great technical team. Now, it is time to go racing. ”
Shameer Variawa, SVR Team Principal : “I’ve completed two Dakar Rallies as a driver, but this year I am pleased to return not only as a Team Principal, but also as a proud father. My son, Saood, will be racing in his first Dakar Rally, and I wish him and Francois a good, clean race. As for the rest of the team, we are excited to see our new GR DKR Hilux EVO T1U in action, and to measure its performance against the competition. ”
