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Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) claimed its second consecutive victory within the Dakar Rally by profitable the 2023 version of the gruelling rally occasion, efficiently defending the title it gained in 2022. First place was secured by Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and his French co-driver, Mathieu, after they introduced their GR DKR Hilux T1+ over the end line on 15 January.
Whereas the pair did lose time to the winners of the ultimate stage of the occasion, general victory was nonetheless secured as they ended the rally with a margin of 1 hour 20 minutes and 49 seconds forward of any competitor.
The ultimate stage of the rally began from the bivouac at Al-Hofuf and noticed rivals embark on a journey of 136 km after finishing a brief liaison of 167 km to the beginning line. This was then adopted by a remaining liaison of 100 km to the end podium within the coastal metropolis of Dammam.
Nasser’s win is the fifth within the Dakar Rally, whereas Baumel has notched up 4 victories, and the pair has gained thrice for Toyota. After taking the lead on the third stage, they by no means allowed rivals to catch as much as them within the time charts.
Two different examples of the GR DKR Hilux T1+ additionally competed below the TGR banner, with the pair of Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy ending fourth general. In the meantime, Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings moved as excessive as second place general earlier than two setbacks relegated them to a fifth place general end.
There was additionally a privately entered GR DKR Hilux T1+ pushed by Lucas Moraes that completed third general, regardless of it being the younger Brazilian’s first try on the Dakar Rally – Timo Gottschalk was his co-driver. The subsequent race is the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem, which takes place over the last week of February.
“Three GR DKR Hilux T1+ of Toyota Gazoo Racing, two from Group Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Physique and Hino Group Sugawara’s Hino 600 all accomplished the 16-day Dakar Rally. Congratulations to all of the six groups on the powerful 8,500 km highway! Thanks to all of the followers in your assist!” stated Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota.
“On the lengthy, powerful roads of Dakar, it is extremely onerous to win in the event you don’t have a automobile that’s not solely straightforward to drive, but in addition dependable and sturdy. By persevering with to problem the Dakar, the GR Dakar Hilux T1+ might be refined into an ever-better automobile. Thanks for coaching Hilux!” he added.
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