Image: Redbull
Image: Toyota
Image: Toyota
Image: Toyota
Image: Toyota
Image: Toyota
The treacherous wet weather that beat down onto the vast planes of Parys saw Giniel de Villiers emerge as the 2022 SARRC Champion in the Dakar-ready Toyota Hilux T1+ bakkie.
Image: Redbull
Prior to off-roading endeavours, de Villiers began his career in circuit racing, winning the domestic South African touring car championship four times in succession from 1997 to 2000 with a dealer-backed Nissan Primera. Switching to off-road racing thereafter, de Villiers made his Dakar Rally debut in 2003 driving for the Nissan team.
After three years, de Villiers parted ways with the Japanese manufacturer when he signed with Volkswagen in 2006. The first Dakar attempt in the new car almost yielded triumph with Giniel and co-driver, Tina Thorner, finishing as a runner-up that year and only losing to Mitsubishi pilot Luc Alphand by 17:53 minutes. Since his debut, the veteran has been on the podium eight times, has achieved thirteen top 5 finishes and has only dropped out of the top 10 once when he took overall 11th place in 2007.
The withdrawal of VW from the Dakar Rally after the 2011 edition was a blow for the endurance rally racing veteran, but another opportunity soon followed. The South African Imperial Toyota team offered de Villiers and Von Zitzewitz to continue doing what they do best. In the seat of the loved Hilux bakkie for 2012, the duo finished third while in the following year they finished second despite failing to score a single-stage win in both seasons.
Image: Toyota
Fast forward 10 years and De Villiers is still going strong and has remained part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing stables. Following his recent rally race in Parys Free State, De Villiers grabbed the second position in the final round of the 2022 South African Rally-Raid Championship. The weekend started with the qualifying race held in cold and wet conditions over an already saturated 12 km route. The mud and the rain made things a bit difficult for the drivers, leading to faulty vehicles and cars being severely stuck in the mud. After taking the lead midway through the opening race loop, disaster struck and it was the end of the road for fellow Toyota teammates Latagan/Cummings when an alternator belt was dislodged in deep water and they became stuck in the mud as they attempted to pull off the route.
Image: Toyota
Despite this, the TGRSA team performed well as De Villiers drove a faultless race to the finish line. The organisers were forced to cancel the second loop of the race two days running, cementing de Villiers and Burke’s second position as well as a championship title for the pair.
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“This has been a stunning season for us,” said TGRSA Team Principal, Glyn Hall. “Our Class T1+ Hilux has dominated all year, clearly showing why this machine is tough enough to not only compete at the Dakar Rally but also to have won it twice now.”
Quick Facts on Vehicle:
- Make: TOYOTA
- Model: GR DKR HILUX
- Performance tuner: Toyota Gazoo Racing
- Transmission: Sadev 6-speed, Sequential Shift
- Engine: 3,5-litre Twin Turbo Petrol V6
- Power: 298 kW
- Torque: 660 N.m
Image: Toyota
The Toyota Hilux T1+ will be fine-tuned for the upcoming Dakar Rally, using all the information and data compiled in the previous races across the globe.
Keyword: Giniel de Villiers crowned 2022 SARRC Champion in Parys