TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is set to tackle the final round of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) at the Rally of Morocco from 6 to 11 October. With two highly skilled crews competing in race-proven machines, the team is ready to take on the demanding terrains and fierce competition in the Moroccan desert. The Rally of Morocco, renowned for its challenging stages and tough conditions, will also mark a milestone in W2RC history, as it celebrates the 100th timed stage of the championship.
TGR’s lineup for the Rally of Morocco will feature Lucas Moraes and co-driver Armand Monleon in the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+, as well as Seth Quintero and co-driver Dennis Zenz in the same race-proven machine. Moraes, one of the rising stars in the world of rally-raid, will be making his debut in the Moroccan race. Quintero, known for his speed and determination, will be looking to deliver strong results as he continues to gain experience in the W2RC.
W2RC Standings: Aiming for Maximum Points
With the final round of the W2RC approaching, TGR heads to Morocco looking to close the season on a high note. Currently sitting in 3rd place in the W2RC standings, Lucas Moraes trails the championship leader by 53 points. While the title is out of reach, a strong performance in Morocco could see Lucas move up to 2nd in the final standings. His consistency and ability to tackle the toughest stages have been key to his success this season, and he will be aiming for maximum points to end the year on a high.
Meanwhile, Seth Quintero sits in 8th place in the standings, 103 points behind the leader. Like Lucas, Seth will be focusing on achieving the best possible result in Morocco. The young American driver has shown his enormous potential throughout the season and will be keen to deliver another solid performance in the challenging Moroccan terrain.
Rally of Morocco: The Ultimate Test of Skill and Endurance
The Rally of Morocco is widely regarded as one of the toughest events on the W2RC calendar. This year, the race will cover a total of 2,468 km, of which 1,512 km will be timed special stages. The event will take place over five gruelling stages, plus a short prologue. The terrain will challenge competitors with a combination of vast desert landscapes, sharp mountain passes, expansive dunes, and rocky tracks that test both the drivers’ skill and the durability of their vehicles.
The race kicks off on 6 October with a prologue in Marrakesh, setting the scene for the upcoming five days of intense rally-raid action. From 7 October, the real competition begins with Stage 1, a loop around Zagora, covering 268 km of timed racing. This region is famous for its Erg Chegaga dunes, where competitors will be tested by the deep sands and tough navigation challenges. The second stage, also based in Zagora, will be a longer special, adding another 317 km of racing through similarly punishing terrain.
Stage 3 will take the competitors on a point-to-point route, travelling from Zagora to Mengoub-Bouârfa. The stage will include 318 km of timed special, with the route featuring separate tracks for FIA and FIM classes to add variety and increase the complexity of the challenge for the car drivers. This stage will push competitors into the dunes of Merzouga, where the soft sands and challenging dunes will require utmost precision and control.
The final two stages, held around Mengoub-Bouârfa, will serve as a prelude to the grand finale. Stages 4 and 5 will take competitors into some of the most sparsely populated areas of the Oriental region, an area known for its rocky, barren landscapes and Dakar-style tracks. Navigational challenges will come to the forefront as the terrain offers little in the way of visible markers. The 272 km timed special of the final stage on 11 October promises to be just as unpredictable as the rest of the race, making it an exciting and nerve-wracking end to the 2024 W2RC season.
A Dakar-style Challenge
The 2024 Rally of Morocco, designed by race director David Castera, is often referred to as a miniature version of the Dakar Rally. With its blend of rocky trails, dunes, and fast sections, the event will provide teams with a demanding rehearsal for the next W2RC season, which kicks off with the 2025 Dakar. As always, the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ will be expected to showcase its reliability, durability, and performance across these varied stages, as Lucas Moraes and Seth Quintero aim to end their season on a high.
W2RC Driver Standings after Round 4 of 2024
| 1 | #201 | N. Al-Attiyah | (Nasser Racing by Prodrive) | 156 PTS |
| 2 | #204 | Y. Al Rajhi | (Overdrive Racing) | 131 PTS |
| 3 | #205 | L. Moraes | (Toyota GAZOO Racing) | 103 PTS |
| 4 | #200 | C. Sainz | (Team Audi sport) | 100 PTS |
| 5 | #202 | G. Chicherit | (Overdrive Racing) | 69 PTS |
| 6 | #310 | G. De Mevius | (G Rally Team) | 65 PTS |
| 7 | #300 | R. Baciuska | (CAN-AM Facory Team) | 60 PTS |
| 8 | #206 | S. Quintero | (Toyota GAZOO Racing) | 55 PTS |
| 9 | #223 | D. Krotov | (Overdrive Racing) | 44 PTS |
| 10 | #204 | M. Prokop | (Orlen Jipocar Team) | 36 PTS |
W2RC Manufacturer Standings after Round 3 of 2024
| 1 | Toyota GAZOO Racing | 190 PTS |
| 2 | Nasser Racing by Prodrive | 160 PTS |
| 3 | X-Raid Mini JCW Team | 97 PTS |
| 4 | Team Audi Sport | 76 PTS |
