Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Reveals 2026 Dakar Rally Line-Up
Four Strong Crews for 2026
TGRSA will race with four talented crews, all driving the latest GR Hilux IMT Evo—a faster, tougher and more refined version developed throughout 2025.
The crews are:
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#211 Juan Cruz Yacopini (Argentina) / Daniel Oliveras (Spain)
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#213 Saood Variawa (South Africa) / Francois Cazalet (France)
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#218 Guy Botterill (South Africa) / Oriol Mena (Spain)
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#240 João Ferreira (Portugal) / Filipe Palmeiro (Portugal)
The team enters Dakar with confidence after an impressive 2025 season:
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Variawa & Cazalet won the South African Rally-Raid Championship.
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Yacopini & Oliveras won the FIA World Baja Cup after victory at the Dubai International Baja.
These achievements show the strong performance and preparation across the whole team.
What Toyota Says
Shameer Variawa, TGRSA Team Principal, says the team has worked extremely hard to improve the Hilux and prepare the crews:
“Dakar is unlike anything else, but we believe we’re going in with a strong, united team and a highly competitive car.”
Glenn Crompton, Toyota SA Motors Vice-President of Marketing, says Dakar is the ultimate test of Hilux toughness:
“It allows us to prove the quality, durability and reliability of Hilux while building ever-better cars.”
What to Expect from Dakar 2026
The 2026 route will be fast, long, and unpredictable. Although the “Empty Quarter” dunes won’t be part of this year’s race, the rally will still include:
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Long, sandy sections
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Technical rocky tracks
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Near-record special stage kilometres
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Two marathon stages (one each week)
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Fewer bivouacs to help teams stay fresher
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A rest day in Riyadh on 10 January
The race starts and ends in Yanbu, on the Red Sea, forming a big clockwise loop across Saudi Arabia.
Key Dates
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3 January – Opening ceremony, podium & prologue (Yanbu)
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4 January – Stage 1
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10 January – Rest day (Riyadh)
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17 January – Final stage & finish podium (Yanbu)
Over 13 stages, crews will face everything from fast gravel to rolling dunes and tough navigation challenges. The second marathon stage, near the end, could completely change the leaderboard.
Meet the Drivers
Yacopini & Oliveras
Experienced Dakar competitors with excellent pace and teamwork.
Variawa & Cazalet
Fresh from their 2025 championship win, bringing momentum and confidence.
Botterill & Mena
Known for consistency, speed and solid Dakar experience.
Ferreira & Palmeiro
A strong Portuguese duo with proven rally-raid and navigation skills.
Ready for Dakar 2026
With four strong crews and the refined GR Hilux IMT Evo, Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa enters the 2026 Dakar Rally prepared and confident. The team aims to deliver a powerful performance in one of motorsport’s toughest challenges.
