Saood Variawa
“Yeah, it’s amazing. If I look back, last year was obviously the first year for us. This year was a lot tougher and I think the first week they [the organisers] wanted to break us. But the car was amazing. I’m really happy to finish my second Dakar on my second attempt.”
Lucas Moraes
“Yeah, I mean, what can you say? We live and learn, we never lose, we always learn. That’s what we always said. And of course, the overall result was not the one we wanted. But just happy to finish, especially with the stage win. We won the last stage when everybody was pushing. So, it proves that we have the speed. It proves how good the car still is. And I hope we can come stronger next year.”
Glenn Crompton (vice-president of marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors)
“It’s an incredible experience. The team, the car, brilliant. The Toyota, which was built in South Africa, that was made by South African people, that was supported by South African brands, has delivered another successful Dakar. To be here among the best of the best in the world in the toughest race, and to podium, to lead the race, to win stages with such a young team, it’s just incredible. I think everyone back in South Africa must be so proud of the team, must be so proud of the guys, because they’re playing with the big boys here and they’re delivering. So obviously the most important thing about this whole event is it’s not a bakkie, it’s a Hilux. And what a Hilux. It’s a Hilux 1-2 at the Dakar.”
• This article was sponsored by Toyota.