TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC hit back with Stage 4 win

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC (TGR W2RC) won Stage 4 of the Dakar Rally to re-ignite its challenge for overall victory as the event’s first marathon stage got underway in the Saudi Arabian desert.

After a gruelling Stage 3, which saw all three crews lose time with punctures, TGR W2RC started Wednesday’s action outside the overall top 10. But a determined drive on demanding terrain turned the tables and brought the all-new DKR GR Hilux back into contention at the front.

Stage 4 was held at high altitude on sand and gravel tracks around AlUla. It marked the start of the first marathon stage of this year’s Dakar Rally, which sees crews complete back-to-back days without any outside technical assistance.

The three DKR GR Hilux started in the middle of the Ultimate pack, meaning they could avoid the added risks of opening the stage, which contributed to their difficulties on Stage 3. The crews took full advantage and recovered significant time on their rivals.

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings took the lead of the stage within the opening 100 km and built a substantial advantage in their #202 DKR GR Hilux. A dominant performance earned the stage victory by more than seven minutes from Nasser Al-Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin, in second for Dacia Sandriders. Marek Goczal and Maciej Marton were third for Energylandia Rally Team.

The stage victory also elevated Lategan and Cummings into the overall lead, nearly four minutes clear of their nearest challenger, as they battle to improve on last year’s second place on the Dakar Rally.

Toby Price and Armand Monleón briefly ran in the top six and maintained a strong pace to finish seventh on the stage after 452 km of competitive action. The #204 DKR GR Hilux crew remain in 16th overall, within striking distance of the top 10.

Seth Quintero and Andrew Short had endured a difficult Stage 3 on Tuesday, suffering multiple punctures and losing more than one hour. They did not give up the fight though, and on Stage 4 they delivered a consistent performance to finish in 11th, helping the #203 DKR GR Hilux into 23rd overall.

With no outside assistance until the end of Stage 5, crews must sleep in tents alongside their vehicles. Thursday’s concluding part of the marathon stage features 371 km of competitive driving, starting on fast, sandy tracks before passing through slower, stony passages as the route heads to the Ha’il region in north-west Saudi Arabia.

Dakar Rally – Provisional Stage 4 result*

Dakar Rally – Provisional standings after Stage 4*

*Results correct at the time of publication