By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Maserati enthrals at FuoriConcorso with GT2 Stradale and MCXtrema
    May 14, 2025
    Leapmotor presents its range at Automobile Barcelona, Spain
    May 14, 2025
    Alfa Romeo sporting glory dominates “Fuori Concorso”
    May 13, 2025
    Market Art Fair Stockholm and BMW Sweden present Gregor Hildebrandt as artist for BMW Art Commission 2025
    May 13, 2025
    Driving Trade Forward: AfCFTA, AGOA,BRICS and the Tariffs – All On The Menu At Automechanika CEO Breakfast
    May 9, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    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
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Kia Announces May 2025 Global Sales Results
    June 2, 2025
    Volkswagen commemorates International Biodiversity Day
    June 2, 2025
    naamsa RELEASES MAY 2025 NEW VEHICLE SALES 
    June 2, 2025
    Nick Cassidy wins Shanghai E-Prix
    June 2, 2025
    2025 Nissan Spirit of Africa gears up with Navara Warrior power
    June 2, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    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
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
    Kia and LG Electronics Partner to Showcase New PBV Concepts for Work and Play
    April 4, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    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
    Sourcing Guide Right-Hand Drive American SUVs and Pickup Trucks in Africa
    April 29, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    SEAT S.A. moves towards electric car production in Martorell
    May 29, 2025
    Polestar 3 wins Best EV SUV and Luxury Car of the Year awards
    May 29, 2025
    All-New Nissan MICRA EV debuts ahead of European launch
    May 28, 2025
    BMW Group and Solid Power are testing all-solid-state battery cells in a BMW i7
    May 20, 2025
    Toyota Debuts Stylish, Powerful 2026 C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle
    May 18, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Maserati MSG Racing’s Shanghai Weekend Concludes with Double-Points Haul
    June 3, 2025
    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing prepares for island challenge
    June 3, 2025
    Class wins and overall lead in the GT World Challenge Europe for BMW M Motorsport team
    June 2, 2025
    TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team regains teams’ classification lead with double-podium
    June 2, 2025
    43rd Rally Due Valli: Lancia Ignites Verona with a High-Tension Challenge
    May 29, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    Volvo Trucks wins prestigious design award
    June 3, 2025
    MAN development team for autonomous driving is ‘Engineering Team of the Year’
    May 29, 2025
    Scania to start deliveries of new electric buses to northern Sweden
    May 29, 2025
    From left to right: Jens Böther, Regional Council; Nikolas Wenzel, Managing Director of MOIN; Claudia Kalisch, Mayor of Lüneburg; Alex Meier, Depot Manager; Nils Richert, Daimler Buses
    Daimler Buses builds a completely new electric bus depot for a customer for the first time
    May 28, 2025
    600 km range and superfast charging – meet Volvo’s new electric truck
    May 20, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    New Bentayga Speed: the most powerful and dynamic Bentayga yet
    June 3, 2025
    GR Supra pushes performance limits with A90 Final Edition and Lightweight EVO
    May 28, 2025
    The new BMW M2 CS
    May 28, 2025
    Defender upgraded: The unstoppable 4×4 is now even more distinctive 
    May 28, 2025
    From vision to Veyron: the evolution of a Bugatti icon
    May 17, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    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
    VNC Automotive Partners with P3 to Enhance the SPARQ OS Platform
    May 29, 2025
    Artificial intelligence: Audi boosts production efficiency
    May 28, 2025
    Greater efficiency and productivity with artificial intelligence – generative AI in BMW Group Purchasing
    May 19, 2025
Hot News
Maserati MSG Racing’s Shanghai Weekend Concludes with Double-Points Haul
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing prepares for island challenge
Volvo Trucks wins prestigious design award
New Bentayga Speed: the most powerful and dynamic Bentayga yet
Class wins and overall lead in the GT World Challenge Europe for BMW M Motorsport team
Latest News

BMW Art Car Collection celebrates 50th anniversary

Motosport

Peugeot Sport welcomes Point S as a key partner for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies in FIA WEC

Latest News

Tesla jumps as analyst predicts $600 billion value boost from Dojo

Motosport

Rally Sweden: Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 driver Oliver Solberg kicks off WRC2 campaign

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

Two podiums for TGR on Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Stage 3

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: February 26, 2025 11:55
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
291 Views
8 Min Read
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE
  • 2nd on Stage 3 for Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz
  • 3rd on Stage 3 for Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon
  • Moraes/Monleon in 2nd place overall

Stage 3 of this year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge was a stern test of 237km, serving as the first part of the Marathon Stage – where crews race to a remote encampment, without the benefit of technical crews to prepare their cars after the stage. The highly reliable GR Hilux EVO took the challenge in its stride, however, as Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz (#204) posted the 2nd-fastest time on the day – just 3min 59sec behind the winning pace.

The Californian driver started the stage as the 5th car into the battle. This turned out to be an ideal position from which to attack, and Quintero made the most of the opportunity. With that said, he remains in 4th place in the overall standings, 6min 7sec behind the leaders.

- Advertisement -
Ad image

At the same time, teammates Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon in the #203 GR Hilux EVO posted the 3rd-best time on Stage 3, giving TOYOTA GAZOO Racing two podium spots for the stage. Moraes/Monleon finished just 1sec behind Quintero/Zenz, making their deficit to the stage winner exactly 4min – this despite suffering a puncture in the opening kilometres of the stage, which cost them the best part of 3min. Moraes/Monleon move into a provisional 2nd place in the overall standings as a result, just 49sec behind the lead, with two stages remaining.

TGR’s Guy Botterill and co-driver Dennis Murphy (#211) were 12th-fastest today. The pair found the going tough in the technical dunes of Stage 3, but were pleased with their pace nonetheless. They finished the stage 9min 18sec adrift of the winner, and remain in 10th place overall – 19min 1sec from the lead.

The final TGR pairing of Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet (#218) were forced to abandon Stage 2 of the event, but they rejoined the rally for Stage 3. Setting off as the last car in the Ultimate Category, the young driver found the sand softer than expected, and lost more time when a tyre came off the rim. They changed the tyre quickly, but lost more time as they had to deflate the spare for the soft terrain. Their stage time placed them in 13th position today, 13min 38sec behind the leaders.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge resumes tomorrow, with Stage 4 – a 300km-long Special Stage, which will bring the crews back from the Marathon encampment to the main bivouac at Mezeer’ah. This penultimate stage may prove pivotal in the outcome of the rally, as Thursday’s final stage is a relatively short affair of 167km, which will bring the rally to a close in Abu Dhabi.

QUOTES:

Seth Quintero (#204): 

“It was a good day for us. Knowing that it’s Marathon, we wanted to take it easy and bring the car back in one piece, and that’s what we did. We just checked over the car and it’s perfect. We’re ready to fight for another two days, another two long days.”

Lucas Moraes (#203): 

“For the overall standings, we are very good, still wide open. We are 49 seconds behind only Nasser now. We had a puncture right in the first 500 meters today, but we managed to change it and now the car is looking good for tomorrow.”

Guy Botterill (#211): 

“We had a reasonable day despite crazy difficult dunes, lots of drops, and very technical terrain. It’s exactly the experience that I need. We were by ourselves the whole day from the beginning to the end. We didn’t catch a car in front of us and the car behind us didn’t catch us. So, I was actually really happy with our pace. We never had any issues in the car. Just a really good clean day and just building on the experience.”

Saood Variawa (#218):

“We started out at the back, and the sand was quite soft when we got there. We also started close to midday, so that also hampered us a little bit. We had one tyre de-bead, which took us about 5min to change, as we had to deflate the spare. We are learning a lot, gaining experience and I’m happy with that.”

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025 – Stage 3 Results

1#200N. Al-Attiyah / E. Boulanger(The Dacia Sandriders) 3hour 15min 28sec
2#204S. Quintero / D. Zenz (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+03:59
3#203L. Moraes / A. Monleon(TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+04:00
4#240J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro(X-Raid Mini JCW) +04:29
5#213E. Goczal / O. Mena(Overdrive Racing) +05:29
6#219S. Loeb / F. Lurquin(The Dacia Sandriders) +06:38
7#201Y. Al Rajhi / T. Gottschalk(Overdrive Racing) +07:02
8#228M. Guthrie / K. Walch(Ford M-Sport)+07:40
9#222G. de Mevius / X. Panseri (X-Raid Mini JCW) +07:50
10#221M. Prokop / V. Chytka(Orlen Jipocar Team) +08:50
12#211G. Botterill / D. Murphy(TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+09:18
13#218S. Variawa / F. Cazalet (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+13:38

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025 – Standings after Stage 3

1#200N. Al-Attiyah / E. Boulanger(The Dacia Sandriders) 9hour 27min 30sec
2#203L. Moraes / A. Monleon (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+00:49
3#219S. Loeb / F. Lurquin(The Dacia Sandriders) +02:46
4#204S. Quintero / D. Zenz(TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+06:07
5#240J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro(X-Raid Mini JCW)+07:16
6#213E. Goczal / O. Mena(Overdrive Racing) +11:43
7#222G. de Mevius / X. Panseri(X-Raid Mini JCW)+12:28
8#201Y. Al Rajhi / T. Gottschalk(Overdrive Racing) +15:08
9#205J. Yacopini / D. Oliveras(Overdrive Racing) +18:11
10#211G. Botterill / D. Murphy(TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)+13:35
36#218S. Variawa / F. Cazalet (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)TBC
TAGGED:Abu Dhabi Desert ChallengeArmand MonleonDennis ZenzFrancois CazaletGR Hilux EVOLucas MoraesSaood VariawaSeth Quintero

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

Lategan/Cummings take Dakar lead for TGR after Stage 2

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 6, 2025
Motosport

Dubai International Baja: Successful maiden outing for Seth and Dennis

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
November 14, 2023
Motosport

QUINTERO AND SANDERS NEW OVERALL LEADERS AFTER STAGE 2 OF SA SAFARI RALLY

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
May 22, 2025
46 BRANCH Ross (BWA), Hero Motorsports Team Rally, Hero 450 Rally, FIM W2RC, action during the Stage 3 of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, on February 29, 2024 in Mzeer’ah, United Arab Emirates © A.S.O/DPPI/B.Roux
Motosport

ADDC 2024 I STAGE 5: AL ATTIYAH GOES BACK TO HIS WINNING WAYS AS BRANCH SEIZES THE LEAD

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 3, 2024
Motosport

TGR ready for South African Safari Rally as W2RC resumes

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
May 8, 2025
Latest News

SOLID START FOR TGRSA AT 2024 SATC SEASON OPENER

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 20, 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