TGRSA KICKS OFF DAKAR 2026 WITH SOLID PROLOGUE PERFORMANCE IN YANBU

• ll three TGRSA crews safely through the opening Prologue in Yanbu
• Saood Variawa quickest of the team in P10, just 18 seconds off the lead
• João Ferreira and Guy Botterill close behind in P12 and P15 respectively
• Focus firmly on consistency as the real racing begins with Stage 1

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) made a measured and encouraging start to its 2026 Dakar Rally campaign on Saturday, with all three crews completing the 22 km Prologue around Yanbu without drama and well inside the top 20.

With the Prologue setting the scene rather than deciding the rally, the team adopted a sensible approach, banking competitive times while ensuring the GR Hilux IMT Evo cars emerged in perfect condition ahead of the first full stage of the event.

Leading the way for TGRSA was Saood Variawa, partnered by Francois Cazalet, who posted the 10th-fastest time on the day, just 18 seconds adrift of the outright pace. Despite a brief technical scare before the start involving their ERCF tablets, the pair kept their composure and delivered a clean run.

“Prologue was okay. We didn’t really push much,” said Variawa. “We had a decent pace from the start and, with all the panic just before the stage, I think we did a decent job. The car is in one piece and the team has done an amazing job from shakedown and throughout the year. I think we’re in a good position for the race.”

Close behind was the Portuguese pairing of João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro, who finished 12th overall, only one second behind Variawa. Starting early on the road, Ferreira highlighted both the speed and navigational demands of the short but intense opening test.

“The Prologue was very nice, super fast, with tricky navigation for the co-drivers,” said Ferreira. “We managed quite well, finished 12th, and the most important thing is the car is in perfect shape. Everything is working perfectly and the real race just starts tomorrow.”

Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena completed the Prologue in 15th position, 27 seconds off the lead. For Botterill, the emphasis was always on settling into the rhythm of the rally and avoiding unnecessary risks on day one.

“I’m really happy with our position,” said Botterill. “We didn’t want to take too many chances in the Prologue. It’s important to get a few kilometres under our belt. The car felt great, and I think we’ve got a good race pace. We’re going to let the race come to us.”

TGRSA Team Principal Shameer Variawa was satisfied with the opening day’s outcome, as the focus now shifts to the first major test of endurance.

“It’s the first day of the Dakar and we’re quite happy, 10th, 12th and 15th is a good place to be,” he said. “The real racing starts tomorrow. The cars are fine, the drivers are happy, so let’s see what Stage 1 brings.”

Looking ahead, Stage 1 will see the Dakar field tackle a demanding 305 km special stage, along with 213 km of liaison, in a loop starting and finishing at the Yanbu bivouac. The stage features a wide variety of terrain, beginning with rocky and hard-packed sections before transitioning into faster sandy tracks and small dunes, an early reminder that Dakar 2026 will reward patience, precision and tenacity from the outset.

Dakar 2026 features six stages prior to the Rest Day in Riyadh, followed by seven more stages before the rally concludes back in Yanbu on 17 January.

DAKAR RALLY 2026 – PROLOGUE RESULTS