Dakar - Where is Toyota???

[RL Lemke]

Mitsu and Nissan are there in force, but not Toyota. (You have not heard such a sweet sound as the Nissan v-6 in their cars at Dakar.)

VW & BMW are there, but not Toyota.

What gives?

We see Toyota at Baja, and many other places, but not Dakar.

However, doesn't Toyota own UD Trucks? I believe there are a number of Japanese trucks at the event also. The trucks competing at Dakar are real trucks too. If you have not seen what a real truck looks like go to http://www.dakar.com/ or http://www.dakar.com/2004/us/index.html then click the photos button.

FYI: The Americans competing at Dakar are doing pretty darn well. Even the 2WD pick-up guys are still in after the 6th day. I am not sure about after the 640+ mile 7th day though.

 

[RL Lemke]

Here is a larger photo from this year. 100 mph + beasts of the desert.

 

[RL Lemke]

The photo file is too big. Sorry.

http://www.dakar-derooy.com/2004/uk/ukpictures.htm

The Derooy's, father and son, are serious Dakar competitors.

 

[Larry]

Toyota might be a bit busy with F1.

 

[DieselPower]

who said!!! Toyota had their LandCruisers ralllying in Dakar....
check youtube

 

[TEPUI]

Toyota has won the Dakar on the T2 category systematically for many years. I've been to stages of the last 3 editions of the Chile-Argentina Dakar. A huge amount of the competing T2 vehicles are Toyotas. The T2 category is made up of production vehicles, just slightly modified but in large part "almost" stock. Many 100 series, FJCruisers, tons of LC Prado 120 and 150 series and Hilux Vigos race, even old beat up 80 series which coincidentally are the support vehicle of choice for most small European teams.

Toyota Auto Body (multiple times T2 champions, Toyota España (Spain), Team Jaton (Argentina), Team Gasco (Chile) come to mind ans 100% Toyota teams. Look them up and you'll be surprised.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jon Mitsuhashi, the driver of the 200 series Land Cruiser. It's incredible to see him keep up with the T1 vehicles in an virtually stock vehicle, with slightly modified suspensions.

I have many pictures I can share, will post during this week.