TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ready for Rally dos Sertões action in Brazil
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is set to take on one of the toughest and longest rally-raid events in the world, the 2024 Rally dos Sertões. This year’s edition of the prestigious event will run from August 23 to August 31, covering a gruelling 3,504 km through Brazil’s diverse and challenging terrains.
For 2024, TGR will be entering a single, race-proven GR DKR Hilux T1+, piloted by Brazilian driver Lucas Moraes and his Spanish co-driver Armand Monleon. The Rally dos Sertões is a home event for Moraes, adding an extra layer of significance and motivation for the team. Despite the rally not being part of the official World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar, it remains a key event on the international rally-raid circuit, known for its demanding conditions that test both man and machine to the limit.
The route for this year’s Rally dos Sertões starts and ends in the capital city of Brasília, looping through the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Bahia. The race includes two marathon stages where competitors must rely solely on their own skills to maintain and repair their vehicles, without any external assistance. This adds to the challenge and underscores the importance of vehicle reliability – an area where the GR DKR Hilux T1+ has consistently excelled.
Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon have had a solid season in the W2RC so far, with Moraes currently sitting in 3rd place on the leaderboard with 103 points, 53 points behind the leader. Their most recent performance at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid saw them finish in 3rd place overall, after winning the final stage of the event. Meanwhile, TGR’s other W2RC contender, Seth Quintero, is in 8th place with 55 points.
TGR sees the Rally dos Sertões as an opportunity to demonstrate the quality, durability, and reliability of the GR DKR Hilux T1+ in one of the most challenging rally-raid events in the world. This commitment to excellence will carry through to the next and final event of the 2024 W2RC season, the Rally of Morocco, where TGR will continue their pursuit of championship glory.
Event Details
• Event: Rally dos Sertões 2024
• Dates: August 23 – August 31, 2024
• Location: Brasília, Brazil (Start and Finish)
• Total Distance: 3,504 km
• Special Stages: 2,507 km (72% of the total distance)
• TGR Entry: Lucas Moraes (Driver), Armand Monleon (Co-Driver)
W2RC Standings Overview
- Lucas Moraes: 3rd Place, 103 Points
- Seth Quintero: 8th Place, 55 Points
QUOTES:
Lucas Moraes:
“I can’t wait to race in this event again. Last year, we started with a bang, winning the opening stage. Repeating that feat would be a dream for 2024, but regardless of the start, I’m hoping for a strong finish. I’m somewhat nostalgic about the race, as it takes place in my home country, and I would like nothing more than to give our fans something to cheer about.”
Partners
Red Bull has established itself as the premiere supporter of extreme sports and athletes, and as such fits perfectly with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Dakar and W2RC efforts. The Austrian energy drink manufacturer has partnered with TGR over numerous years, and the involvement bore fruit when the team won a second Dakar title in January 2022, and a third in 2023.
SpeedMax is a CantuStore’s private label, which is the largest omnichannel platform and leader in tire replacement market in Brazil. SpeedMax promotes maximum performance through high-performance tires that suit all types of vehicles, from passenger cars to trucks and tractors, as well as inner tubes and truck wheels.
