Toyota SA Motors will again be supporting the Road to Dakar initiative at this year’s Toyota Botswana 1000 Desert Race.
This race-within-a-race was previously known as the Dakar Challenge, and offers privateer crews the opportunity to win a free entry to the world’s toughest automotive race, the Dakar Rally.
“We believe the Road to Dakar is an incredible opportunity for crews to make the most of the Desert Race,” says Toyota SA Motors Vice-President for Marketing, Glenn Crompton. “As it is, the Desert Race is undoubtedly the toughest automotive race on the African continent, and as such it is a perfect fit for the Road to Dakar.”
This year’s Toyota 1000 Desert Race (TDR 1000) will take place on 21-23 June, in a new location around the town of Selebi-Phikwe in eastern Botswana. Despite the move to a new area, the race will retain its key characteristics as the only marathon event on the South African Cross-Country calendar: The race distance remains set at 1,000 km; and the race will again take place over a total of three days.
“The Desert Race is the only marathon event on the SACCS calendar, and as such it offers us an unparalleled opportunity to test our Toyota Hilux in conditions that resemble those found on many Dakar stages,” says Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Team Principal, Glyn Hall.
