The 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge ended spectacularly, with three Toyotas finishing in the top four of the overall standings. Overdrive Racing and Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) showcased their dominance in the second round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
The fifth and final stage, from the remote bivouac in Mzeer’ah to the finish on Hudayriyat Island, was filled with drama as two Overdrive Racing crews were forced to retire. Nevertheless, Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleón secured second place for Toyota Gazoo Racing, followed by teammates Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz in third. The victory went to Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, strengthening his lead in the championship. Thanks to these results, Toyota Gazoo Racing remains firmly in contention for the W2RC manufacturers’ title.
Strong Performances from Moraes and Quintero
Moraes, visibly pleased with his performance, stated: “This was my second time here and a great experience. It was the first time I really competed for an overall win in a world championship event. The car was fantastic, and I hope we can continue this fight throughout the season.”
Quintero also demonstrated his speed and consistency, securing a podium finish and further distinguishing Toyota as the dominant team.
Misfortune for Al-Rajhi and Goczal
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and his navigator Timo Gottschalk started the rally as W2RC leaders but faced overheating issues just 13 kilometers into the final stage. This setback dropped them to second place in the championship standings.
Eryk Goczal, who had claimed an impressive stage victory the previous day in his Overdrive Racing Toyota, also encountered bad luck. Just 37 kilometers into the final stage, his left shock absorber exploded, causing oil to spill onto the exhaust and ignite a fire. Goczal and his navigator Oriol Mena managed to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers and sand, but they lost significant time and ultimately finished in 27th place. “We had a good pace and gained a lot of experience, but unfortunately, we faced problems,” said Goczal.
Consistent Yacopini and Strong Team Results
Due to the retirements of Al-Rajhi and Goczal, Juan Cruz Yacopini moved up to a strong fourth place. The Argentine drove a consistent rally and avoided major issues, securing an excellent result.
Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy, who were last-minute replacements for the South African Toyota Gazoo Racing lineup, secured a solid sixth place. Overdrive Racing also supported Denis Krotov (33rd), Saood Variawa (31st), and Chilean privateer Hernan Garces (15th).
Dramatic Rally for Marek Goczal
Marek Goczal faced an unfortunate rally. After receiving a maximum time penalty in the first stage, he suffered a back injury from a hard landing on a dune during the third stage. He was airlifted to the hospital and later transported to Poland for surgery. Fortunately, his prognosis is positive, and he hopes to return to rally racing soon.
How Did the Rally Unfold?
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge began with an 11.19 km prologue at Jebel Hafit Desert Park, determining the starting order. Moraes was the fastest Toyota driver, finishing second, while teammates Variawa, Eryk Goczal, Botterill, Al-Rajhi, and Quintero also posted top-10 times.
In the first full stage, Moraes claimed victory with a narrow lead over Sébastien Loeb, taking the overall lead. In the second stage, he dropped to third behind Al-Attiyah and Loeb, while Quintero and Goczal secured spots in the top six.
Days three and four featured the challenging marathon stages, which proved to be a pivotal moment in the rally. Al-Attiyah took the lead, while Moraes and Quintero secured their podium positions. Eryk Goczal created a sensation by winning the fourth stage, making him the youngest stage winner in Abu Dhabi history. “I dedicate this victory to my father, who has taught me everything,” said an emotional Goczal.
With only 41 seconds separating him from Al-Attiyah, Moraes entered the final stage in pursuit of victory, but the Qatari held firm to win the rally. However, thanks to strong performances from Moraes and Quintero, Toyota secured an outstanding team result.
Next Stop: South Africa
After the thrilling showdown in Abu Dhabi, the rally circus moves on to South Africa for the brand-new South African Safari Rally, taking place from May 18 to 24. With Toyota in top form, the W2RC season promises even more excitement ahead!
