By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    IAA MOBILITY 2025 Announces Powerful Lineup of Partners and Sponsors
    June 26, 2025
    BMW and Alvaro Barrington celebrate hydrogen mobility at Art Basel in Basel 2025
    June 18, 2025
    MHB DEALER EXPO 2025 – A Premier Automotive Networking Experience
    June 17, 2025
    Entries Open for The Cape 1000 – South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive Returns for 2026
    June 10, 2025
    Ulterio Motiv Toyota Land Cruiser 6×6 and 6×4 to invade Land Cruiser Festival
    June 3, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW CE 04
    July 3, 2025
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Tata Motors registered total sales of 2,10,415 units in Q1 FY26
    July 3, 2025
    Kia Announces June 2025 Global Sales Results
    July 3, 2025
    Automobili Lamborghini triumphs at the 2025 Red Dot Awards with the entire hybrid range
    July 3, 2025
    Volvo Cars reports June sales
    July 3, 2025
    Volkswagen Group Award 2025: Honoring supplier excellence and strenghtening strategic collaboration
    July 3, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    Mercedes-AMG presents the CONCEPT AMG GT XX
    June 25, 2025
    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled “GR LH2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans
    June 11, 2025
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    24-hour race at Le Mans, the Nürburgring and Spa – triple marathon for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
    June 10, 2025
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    Polestar 4 wins the 2025 Mille Miglia Green
    June 27, 2025
    IONIQ 5 N Earns Coveted ‘Five-Star Car’ Accolade at 2025 Autocar Awards
    June 26, 2025
    Polestar 3 OTA update introduces new Abbey Road Studios Mode exclusively for Bowers & Wilkins audio system
    June 18, 2025
    No Compromise Ford Ranger PHEV Brings Electric Power to Europe’s Best-Selling Pickup
    June 18, 2025
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    The BMW M2 CS sets a new record of 7:25.5 minutes on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife
    July 3, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team to field Abbi Pulling and Gabriele Minì in Berlin Rookie Test
    July 3, 2025
    Castrol NWM Ford Team Secure Dominant Victory and Strong Finishes at Bronkhorstspruit
    July 3, 2025
    VARIAWA CLAIMS P2 AS TGRSA OPENS 2025 SARRC CAMPAIGN
    July 3, 2025
    Maserati MCXtrema revives MC12 legend at CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa
    June 26, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    MAN celebrates 70 years of tradition and modernity at its Munich plant
    July 3, 2025
    Tata Motors strengthens presence in Qatar with the launch of all-new LPO 1622 bus
    June 26, 2025
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
    Daimler Truck and Volvo Group launch Coretura
    June 17, 2025
    Volvo Trucks launches upgraded Volvo Dynamic Steering system to increase road safety
    June 17, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    Introducing the Land Cruiser Hybrid 48V: a new powertrain for Toyota’s legendary SUV
    June 23, 2025
    THE NEW HAVAL H6 SUV IS HERE, AND IT’S BUILT FOR BIG MOMENTS!
    June 18, 2025
    THE NEW PEUGEOT E-208 GTi MORE PLEASURE. MORE GTi THAN EVER!
    June 17, 2025
    New BMW XM options: maximum exclusivity and breathtaking performance.
    June 12, 2025
    The Audi Q5 e-hybrid: all-rounder with great electric range
    June 11, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    Gaming fun on the go: Audi integrates AirConsole
    June 26, 2025
    New Kia App provides European drivers with a unified digital experience
    June 17, 2025
    Abbey Road Studios Mode makes global debut in Volvo EX90
    June 17, 2025
    Audi develops the picking process of the future
    June 2, 2025
    Volvo EX90 LiDAR and smartphone cameras: What you need to know
    June 2, 2025
Hot News
The BMW M2 CS sets a new record of 7:25.5 minutes on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife
Tata Motors registered total sales of 2,10,415 units in Q1 FY26
Nissan Formula E Team to field Abbi Pulling and Gabriele Minì in Berlin Rookie Test
Kia Announces June 2025 Global Sales Results
Automobili Lamborghini triumphs at the 2025 Red Dot Awards with the entire hybrid range
Auto Shows

Range Rover unveils Milan Design Week landmark installation in collaboration with NUOVA Group

Latest News

Defender pledges support for local conservation and humanitarian heroes with new ‘Defender Awards’ initiative

Latest News

The new E-Class at a glance

Latest News

MINI Drives Success in 2023 with Sales Growth and Accelerated Electric Vehicle Adoption

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Motosport

Al Rajhi/Gottschalk lead the way for Toyota on tough chrono stage

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: January 6, 2025 08:30
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
346 Views
9 Min Read
Share
9 Min Read
Lucas Moraes (BRA) for Toyota Gazoo Racing races during stage 2 of Rally Dakar 2025 from BISHA to BISHA, Saudi Arabia on January 05, 2025
Lucas Moraes (BRA) for Toyota Gazoo Racing races during stage 2 of Rally Dakar 2025 from BISHA to BISHA, Saudi Arabia on January 05, 2025.
SHARE
  • Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk leapfrog into stage and virtual overall lead
  • Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings fastest of the TGR crews
  • Tough 48h Chrono Stage takes its toll in terms of time
  • Approximately 350km remain before crews return to Bisha

The 48h Chrono Stage, serving as Stage 2 of the 2025 Dakar Rally, has proven a tough test for the crews competing in the world’s most grueling rally-raid event. Starting in Bisha, the crews raced until 5pm local time, at which point they had to clock in at the nearest of six mini bivouacs in the desert. From there, they will resume racing tomorrow morning, returning to the main bivouac at Bisha. The remaining distance varies based on their progress today, but the leading crews should have roughly 350km to the finish.

The pick of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing bunch was Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings (#211). The South Africans brought their GR Hilux EVO to Bivouac E, together with teammates Guy Botterill, Giniel de Villiers, Lucas Moraes, Seth Quintero and Saood Variawa. While the stage will only finish when the crews reach Bisha tomorrow, the current standings show Lategan/Cummings in 4th place on the stage, just 11min 13sec adrift of the lead. Looking at the virtual overall standings, the current South African Rally-Raid Champions are in 3rd place, just 2min 12sec behind the lead.

- Advertisement -
Ad image

Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy (#205), both from South Africa, went 6th-fastest by the time the stage was halted for the day. The man from Durban was 14min 04sec behind the leaders at the end of the day, and finds himself in 5th place in the virtual general ranking at this point.

Seth Quintero (USA) for Toyota Gazoo Racing races during stage 2 of Rally Dakar 2025 from BISHA to BISHA, Saudi Arabia on January 05, 2025.

Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (#206), who won the Dakar Rally together in 2009, started Stage 2 as the 17th car on the road, following a disappointing opening stage, where an electronic glitch caused them to lose power in their car. Despite this, the experienced duo bounced back during the first part of Stage 2, setting the 9th-best time, just 20min 32sec behind the lead. This puts them in 9th place in the virtual general rankings, just over 17min adrift of the lead.

Brazil’s Lucas Moraes and Spanish co-driver, Armand Monleon, driving the #203 GR Hilux EVO, started the day as the 7th car into the stage. This initially put them on a solid footing, and they set about the tricky stage at a highly competitive pace. Unfortunately, the crew got stuck during a dune crossing, and lost significant time recovering their stricken car. As a result, they dropped from 7th place overall to 16th on the stage, and are in 11th place in the virtual overall standings.

TGR’s Seth Quintero won Stage 1 of the event, which meant the young Californian driver and his German co-driver, Dennis Zenz, had to open the stage. This was a daunting task, given that the motorbikes and cars had separate routes on Stage 2, leaving the #204 GR Hilux EVO crew with no tracks to follow. Quintero steadily lost ground to his fellow competitors, but as with Moraes, his situation was exacerbated when he beached the car mid-stage, losing more time while extricating the Hilux. Quintero/Zenz posted the 24th-fastest time by 5pm today, 47min 40sec adrift of the lead. Their virtual overall position is 19th, and they trail the leaders by 34min 27sec.

Lucas Moraes (BRA) for Toyota Gazoo Racing races during stage 2 of Rally Dakar 2025 from BISHA to BISHA, Saudi Arabia on January 05, 2025.

TGR’s second crew on the road this morning was Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, who finished the previous stage in third place. The pair started the morning at a brisk pace, but a broken right-rear damper early on cost them the best part of thirty minutes. The crew was able to repair the car using a spare damper, but the total damage by the end of the day came to 1hr 15min 37sec, putting them in 26th place on the first part of the stage. They are in 25th place in the virtual overall rankings, 1hr 4min 12sec from the leading car.

As things stood by 5pm today, it was the privately-entered Toyota Hilux of Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, who is partnered with German co-driver Timo Gottschalk, who topped both the stage and virtual overall standings. The current virtual overall standings show six Toyota Hilux in the Top 10, including three TGR works crews.

Seth Quintero (USA) for Toyota Gazoo Racing races during stage 2 of Rally Dakar 2025 from BISHA to BISHA, Saudi Arabia on January 05, 2025.

The 48h Chrono resumes tomorrow at sunrise, at which point the competitors will start the trek back towards Bisha for much-needed rest and repairs to their cars. Stage 3 will be another tough one, featuring 495km of special stage and 352km of liaisons, taking the rally from Bisha to Al Henakiyah in Western Saudi Arabia. This will be followed by the Marathon Stage to Alula, before the competitors take on Stage 5, between Alula and the Rest Day at Hail.

Dakar Rally 2025 – Stage 2A Results as at Bivouac ‘E’

1#201 Y. Al Rajhi / T. Gottscalk(Overdrive Racing)  06hour 57min 03sec
2#200N. Al-Attiyah / E. Boulanger (The Dacia Sandriders) +01:19
3#226M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist(Ford M-Sport) +08:55
4#211H. Lategan / B. Cummings(Toyota GAZOO Racing)+11:13
5#206J. Yacopini / D. Oliveras(Overdrive Racing) +13:12
6#205G. Botterill / D. Murphy (Toyota GAZOO Racing)+14:04
7#231T. Price / S. Sunderland (Overdrive Racing) +16:20
8#227N. Roma / A. Haro (Ford M-Sport) +18:14
9#206G. de Villiers / D. v Zitzewitz(Toyota GAZOO Racing)+20:32
10#209M. Serradori / L. Minaudier (Century Racing Factory Team)+21:33
16#203L. Moraes / A. Monleon(Toyota GAZOO Racing)+32:12
24#204S. Quintero / D. Zenz(Toyota GAZOO Racing)+47:40
26#218S. Variawa / F. Cazalet(Toyota GAZOO Racing)+01:15:37

Dakar Rally 2025 – Virtual Standings after Stage 2A

1#201Y. Al Rajhi / T. Gottscalk(Overdrive Racing) 11hour 45min 24sec
2#200N. Al-Attiyah / E. Boulanger (The Dacia Sandriders) +01:19
3#211H. Lategan / B. Cummings(Toyota GAZOO Racing) +02:12
4#226M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist(Ford M-Sport) +03:44
5#205G. Botterill / D. Murphy(Toyota GAZOO Racing) +08:07
6#231T. Price / S. Sunderland (Overdrive Racing) +09:05
7#227N. Roma / A. Haro(Ford M-Sport) +14:29
8#222G. de Mevius / M. Baumel (X-Raid Mini JCW Team) +17:40
9#206G. de Villiers / D. v Zitzewitz(Toyota GAZOO Racing) +17:45
10#214 B. Baragwanath / L. Cremer(Century Racing Factory Team)  +20:45
11#203L. Moraes / A. Monleon (Toyota GAZOO Racing) +22:17
19#204S. Quintero / D. Zenz (Toyota GAZOO Racing) +34:27
25#218S. Variawa / F. Cazalet(Toyota GAZOO Racing) +01:04:12
TAGGED:2025 Dakar Rally48h Chrono StageBishaBrett CummingsGiniel de VilliersGR Hilux EVO to Bivouac EGuy BotterillHenk LateganLucas MoraesSaood VariawaSeth QuinteroSouth AfricaSouth African Rally-Raid ChampionsTimo GottschalkTOYOTA GAZOO RacingYazeed Al Rajhi

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Motosport

Safari Rally Kenya: Day 3

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 23, 2025
Latest News

Isuzu Motors South Africa Top Employer for a Third Year in a Row

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 28, 2025
Electric Vehicles

JAECOO J7 SHS debuts in South Africa with 90 km all-electric range

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
June 10, 2025
Motosport

Prologue preparations for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in Qatar

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
February 28, 2024
Latest News

GAC Motor and Salvador Caetano Auto, signed a strategic partnership in South Africa

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 31, 2024
Motosport

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing fully prepared for Dakar 2025

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
November 27, 2024

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner