Toyota Gazoo Racing SA wins Dakar 2019!
Toyota Gazoo Racing SA wins Dakar 2019!
By Lawrence Minnie
We attended the winner's press conference at Toyota SA HQ to congratulate the winners of the 2019 Dakar and hear what they had to say about the race.
Storied History
Very few motorsport fans will argue when it is stated that the Dakar Rally is the hardest race on earth. It takes a concerted team effort to win this race and it is one of the few races where you can honestly say, it isn’t over until it’s over. Anything can happen and it usually does.
Running for the 51st time since its inception in 1978, the Dakar has tested man and machine to their breaking point and beyond, being able to hoist the winner’s trophy or even just finish is a feat that very few have managed.
The race has been hosted by many nations in its history, starting in Paris and finishing in Senegal, from Spain to Senegal, Paris to Cape Town, Senegal to Egypt, it has literally crossed continents.
This year the race began and ended in Lima, the capital city of Peru in South America - where the locals are Dakar mad!
Having personally seen the environment of the Peruvian desert and having sat in the passenger seat with Giniel de Villers at race pace in a similar desert climate, I can honestly tell you it takes a special breed to tackle this race.
And it’s a special breed that we have right here at home in the form of Toyota Gazoo Racing. Glyn Halls team has done some amazing work over the past few years and after a number of tries have finally done it, they won Dakar.
Victory!
Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, his French navigator Matthieu Baumel and team boss Glyn Hall triumphantly hoisted the Toyota Gazoo Racing flag proudly standing atop the Toyota Hilux machine, a moment I am sure they won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Giniel de Villers had hoped to take the win this year and all was going to plan until a disaster, mid-race, saw him tumble down the rankings and he would eventually finish 9th overall. The third Toyota SA Racing Hilux of Bernard Ten Brinke would unfortunately not finish due to a gearbox failure.
Toyota finally got their win and Glyn Hall and Calfyn Hamman were now able to colour in the other eye of the Daruma doll.
I was very excited to attend a press conference hosted by Toyota South Africa, welcoming the winners back to South Africa and these were just some of the take away’s from the jubilant ceremony.
Nassar Al Attiyah
"Everyone in Qatar is driving at least two or three Toyota, if you no drive the Toyota you are not Qatari!, I am very happy to get the win for Toyota. I hope next year there is the budget for four car, then we make the better win."
Matthieu Baumel
"Last year I was sick in the car and we did not do so good. This year I put a lot of pressure on myself to do better and after the first few days I knew were going to be alright and kept up the pace and we win."
Calfyn Hamman - Vice President Sales and Marketing Toyota SA
"A few years ago before we signed the agreement, I was a little worried because Nassar had not yet signed, he took my hand and said" I do not need to sign any papers, he shook my hand and promised me a win as did Glyn and these guys have delivered. We are very proud of the whole team."
Andrew Kirby - President and CEO Toyota SA
It goes without saying that we are incredibly proud of Nassar and Matthieu, but I want to thank the entire technical and race crew that backed these guys up, Well done team!
Giniel de Villiers
"They don't call this the toughest race on earth for nothing, No one can win this race on their own, Its a team effort and that's what we do, support each other as a team. Well done to Nassar and Matthieu, let's see what happens next year!
Glyn Hall - Team Principal
"I had a feeling after the first few days that this year was going to be our year but you never stop until the car crosses the line, it has been exhausting but very rewarding and I want to thank everyone from the management at Toyota SA, our talented drivers and the whole team for accomplishing the task that was set before us."