TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is poised for a monumental campaign at the 2026 Dakar Rally, fielding four formidable crews ready to take on the world’s most demanding motorsport event. This year’s rally, running from 3 to 17 January, boasts a route of formidable length and variety, nearly matching the record for special stage kilometres seen since the race moved to Saudi Arabia.
The TGRSA line-up
TGRSA will rely on a quartet of proven competitors, all piloting the latest evolution of the GR Hilux IMT Evo, a machine refined throughout 2025 for enhanced durability, handling, and outright performance:
- Juan Cruz Yacopini (ARG) / Daniel Oliveras (ESP)
- Saood Variawa (RSA) / Francois Cazalet (FRA)
- Guy Botterill (RSA) / Oriol Mena (ESP)
- João Ferreira (POR) / Filipe Palmeiro (POR)
Confidence is high following two recent championship victories: Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet are the reigning 2025 South African Rally-Raid Champions (SARRC), while Juan Cruz Yacopini and Daniel Oliveras recently secured the FIA’s World Baja Cup.
TGRSA Team Principal Shameer Variawa expressed his belief in the team’s readiness: “The team has worked incredibly hard throughout 2025. Our testing programme with the latest GR Hilux IMT Evo has been extensive, and we’ve refined every area we possibly can. Dakar is unlike anything else in motorsport, but I believe we’re going into this year’s race with a strong, united team and four highly capable crews.”
The ultimate proving ground
Toyota South Africa Motors Vice-President of Marketing, Glenn Crompton, highlighted the significance of the race: “Dakar is more than a race for us – it is the ultimate proving ground for the Hilux brand. The environment is harsh, the distances extreme, and the conditions unpredictable… It reflects a spirit of adventure and perseverance that aligns perfectly with Toyota’s values.”
TGRSA’s extensive development cycle focused on improving the GR Hilux IMT Evo for robustness, enhanced cockpit comfort, and performance across variable sand conditions. Each crew brings a critical skillset: Yacopini and Oliveras offer proven pace and race experience; Variawa and Cazalet bring championship winning momentum; Botterill and Mena provide consistency and significant Dakar experience; and Ferreira and Palmeiro contribute European rally-raid pedigree.
The 2026 Dakar Rally promises an intense test of endurance and strategy, with the route nearly matching the record distance for competitive kilometres since the rally moved to Saudi Arabia.
The race begins on 3 January with the Start podium, opening ceremony, and Prologue in Yanbu, on the Red Sea coast. The event will unfold as a vast clockwise loop around Saudi Arabia, concluding back in Yanbu on 17 January after 13 stages.
Key structural changes for the 2026 edition include:
Two Marathon Stages: A first for the Saudi-based Dakar, with one in each week of the rally. Crews must stay overnight in isolated bivouacs with no external mechanical support, making strategic planning paramount.
Balanced Terrain: While the infamous Empty Quarter does not feature this year, the route compensates with expansive stretches of sand, technical tracks, and fast gravel.
Rest Day: Competitors will benefit from the opportunity to regroup during the rest day in Riyadh on 10 January.
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