Toyota Gazoo Racing SA aiming to win Dakar 2019
The Toyota Gazoo Racing SA team has completed the final test of the new Toyota Hilux, in preparation for the 2019 Dakar Rally, which got under way with a ceremonial start on Sunday evening 06 January, in Lima, Peru.
Since arriving in the Peruvian capital of Lima, the team has been hard at work reassembling the three Toyota Hilux race vehicles, preparing the support trucks, and packing the thousands of spares and pieces of equipment that is required to take on the world’s toughest automotive race.
Glyn Hall, Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Team Manager said all three crews tested in the big dunes near Lima last week and have declared themselves more than happy with the performance of the Toyota Hilux. “We have also finalised the suspension setup for the big dunes and all three crews will be starting on a near identical damper setup,” he added.
He said this really is a mammoth task, but their experience since first competing in 2012 has taught them a lot and they have the operation streamlined to the point where they find themselves fully prepared ahead of schedule.
“Dakar 2019 promises to be an exciting race for use and it is exactly ten years since drivers, Giniel and Dirk last won the Dakar and while all three of our crew will be pushing for victory, I know that Giniel is aiming to bring home the big trophy this year,” emphasised Hall
The race kicked of with a ceremonial start in downtown Lima after which the opening stage saw the teams leave Lima for the coastal town of Pisco, via some massive dunes before heading further south to San Juan de Marcona.
