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Issue #20:October 11, 2022
Aiming for a debut win in the 2023 Dakar Rally in the production car category, TLC performed testing in Morocco on the new generation rally car which is currently undergoing development and is based on the Land Cruiser 300 GR SPORT. In addition to competing in the 2022 Rally of Morocco, they also performed independent testing, bringing the total off-road driving distance to 4,500km*.
*4,500km is equivalent to the SS (competition stage) distance in the Dakar Rally
They entered the 2022 Rally of Morocco in a 2-car team in the production car category. These were the only two cars that entered the production car category, and every day they had to overcome some challenges. As the rally unfolded in a tight race between cars #1 and #2, together they drove approximately 2,000km. Car #1 (team Miura/Lichtleuchter) took the lead by just 24 seconds over car #2 (team Basso/Polato), with car #1 coming in at 34th place, and car #2 at 35th place overall.
Car #1 driver Akira Miura (Toyota Auto Body, Public Relations Division) commented after the rally, “We had to push our limits to identify issues by putting a load on the car tougher than the Dakar Rally, and this was a rally where we could not give up till the end no matter what, in order to gather as much data as possible. It was a tough and tense rally the whole way. The teams were able to maintain their concentration as the two cars pushed through at almost equal times every day and they could confirm real issues, making it a very rewarding rally. At the same time, even though there was some trouble each day, the team of mechanics worked late into the night fully focused to ensure the cars were ready by the start time on the next day. As a result, we could build trust with the Land Cruiser 300 through this rally”.
Meanwhile, for mechanic Isamu Ito (Fukuoka Toyota Corporation), who joined the team in 2022, this was his first actual rally and he commented, “I wanted to participate in a rally, and it was my wish to join the team, so I was really excited about joining in the first Rally of Morocco. As soon as the rally started, things became exciting. All the French mechanics and veterans who are usually quite calm were not their usual selves. I also became a little anxious about my tasks and wondered whether my work was up to scratch. After sending the cars out, my strongest hope is always for the cars to make it back. Waiting for them to return can feel like a long time. After participating in the rally and coming into contact with the harsh realities here, it made me even more determined to raise my confidence.”
Chief mechanic Philippe Challoy commented, “In the world of motorsport, development never ends. We learned many new lessons. We only have two months left, and there are many things we can do by then, many things I think we should do. We intend to create a car that can win the 2023 Dakar Rally, and I truly believe this team is capable of that!”
Team manager Yuji Kakutani (Toyota Auto Body, Public Relations Division), who completed final development testing before the 2023 Dakar Rally, shared his enthusiasm, “While there’s always something to think about, the team now have faith in the car after the challenges they encountered and through the Rally of Morocco. The engineers and mechanics have prepared a car that we can all trust. Whatever happens at the Dakar Rally, together with this team, we will overcome it!”
There isn’t much time left till the 2023 Dakar Rally and the team is working as one in preparation for the debut win.
We appreciate everyone’s warm and continued support for the team.