TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC (TGR W2RC) finished on the podium with the all-new DKR GR Hilux for the first time in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship after battling the weather and intense competition on Rally Raid Portugal.
Seth Quintero and Andrew Short demonstrated speed and consistency throughout the five days, which included 1,271 km of timed action, and took second place overall in their #203 DKR GR Hilux on Sunday’s final stage. That means the all-new DKR GR Hilux – which features a new tubular chassis and a stronger transmission – earned a podium in just its second W2RC rally, following a stage-winning performance on the season-opening Dakar Rally.
A short but spectacular Stage 5 took place in the mountains around the town of Loulé on Portugal’s Algarve coast. The fast and twisty route took competitors along ridges and through valleys on difficult terrain, testing their concentration to the limit.
Quintero and Short started the day in second overall and completed a steady run on Stage 5. They finished fifth, 42 seconds off stage winners Lucas Moraes and Dennis Zenz (Dacia Sandriders) and secured the overall runners-up spot behind overall winners Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger (Dacia Sandriders).
Akira Miura successfully completed his first event with TGR W2RC, alongside Armand Monleón. The Japanese driver – a five-time Dakar Rally class winner – showed his rally raid experience by safely navigating treacherous conditions and changing weather throughout the week.
Despite rain and slippery, muddy surfaces, Miura avoided major incidents and displayed consistency as he continues to get to grips with the #204 DKR GR Hilux. Miura and Monleón were 18th-fastest of the Ultimate competitors on Stage 5 and moved up to 14th in class overall on their first W2RC rally together.
Only two of the team’s DKR GR Hilux made it to the finish line in Loulé, following the retirement of Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings after a high-speed roll in their #202 DKR GR Hilux early on Friday’s Stage 3. The pair had previously lost time and dropped out of the top 10 on Stage 1 after an impact with a tree.
All three crews will return to action with TGR W2RC when round three of the 2026 W2RC season takes place in Argentina on 24-29 May. The Desafío Ruta 40 – returning to the W2RC calendar after a one-year break – features stunning natural landscapes across a variety of demanding terrains.
Quotes:
Seth Quintero: “It was a good rally for us. The team did an absolutely amazing job and to get the first podium for the new car so quickly is very nice – it gives us a lot of confidence for the next races. I feel like I have made a lot of improvements with my driving and Andrew has improved in terms of navigation, so together we have made a big push. I’m very happy with second overall because it’s not easy to finish on the podium in the W2RC, against so many talented competitors. We had a clean rally and a lot of fun. We know there is more pace in the DKR GR Hilux so I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and develop with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC.”
Akira Miura: “I am pleased to complete Rally Raid Portugal and increase my experience of driving the DKR GR Hilux. I would like to thank Armand and all the engineers, mechanics and other TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC team members who supported me this week. It was not an easy rally with the conditions but I’m happy to reach the end. This is the start of my second career in rally raid, and I still have lots to learn but I am happy to be living my dream with this team.”
Source: Toyota Gazoo Racing
Photo: Rally-Raid Network / ImagensDesportivas.pt
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.
