With the global rally-raid community gearing up for another epic showdown, anticipation is mounting ahead of the 2026 Dakar Rally, set to thunder into action on 3 January in Saudi Arabia.
The route, stretching from the coastal city of Yanbu and cutting deep into the country’s deserts, plains and rugged stone landscapes, promises one of the most punishing editions in recent memory. Competitors will battle through 13 stages before reaching the finish on 17 January.
Among the contenders stepping up to face this relentless challenge is Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) — a team renowned for consistency, innovation and resilience. For 2026, TGRSA arrives with a sharpened lineup and a meticulously developed GR Hilux IMT Evo, ready to prove its strength on the rally-raid world’s biggest platform.
TGRSA will be represented by four competitive crews, each bringing a unique blend of experience and ambition:
• Car #211 – Juan Cruz Yacopini (ARG) / Daniel Oliveras (ESP)
• Car #213 – Saood Variawa (RSA) / Francois Cazalet (FRA)
• Car #218 – Guy Botterill (RSA) / Oriol Mena (ESP)
• Car #240 – João Ferreira (POR) / Filipe Palmeiro (POR)
The lineup offers a powerful mix of local and international expertise. Newly crowned South African Rally-Raid Championship winners Variawa and Cazalet enter with strong momentum, while seasoned competitors like Yacopini and Oliveras add essential Dakar experience. Botterill’s speed and consistency, coupled with Ferreira’s rally-raid knowledge, further raise TGRSA’s competitive potential.
Team Principal Shameer Variawa has expressed firm confidence in TGRSA’s readiness, noting that 2025 was heavily focused on refining both team operations and vehicle performance. The GR Hilux IMT Evo, already a proven platform, has undergone extensive testing to handle the extraordinary strain the Dakar will inevitably deliver.
Glenn Crompton, Vice-President of Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors, emphasised Dakar’s significance as the definitive proving ground for the Hilux brand. Extreme temperatures, unpredictable surfaces and the sheer distance of the race make it a real-world laboratory for Toyota’s core values — Quality, Durability and Reliability.
The Dakar Rally also marks the opening chapter of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) campaign. With top-tier international entries and ongoing vehicle innovations, Toyota aims to cement its presence at the forefront of global rally-raid competition.
For fans across the African continent, the Dakar is more than motorsport — it’s a display of sheer human determination and mechanical mastery. It’s a place where navigators, drivers and engineers are pushed beyond their limits, making every kilometre an achievement.
As the countdown to the start in Yanbu continues, Auto Industry News South Africa proudly extends its support to Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa. We look forward to watching their courage, preparation and South African pride carry them across the deserts and through the challenges that define the Dakar Rally.
Wishing TGRSA a safe, strong and memorable run at Dakar 2026. Bring it home, team!
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
