Toyota Gazoo Racing

Al-Attiyah did well, but so did the other competitors in the car category. Overdrive’s Bernhard ten Brinke was just 14 seconds slower than Al-Attiyah and finished in fifth place. Dakar rookie Henk Lategan got off to a promising start. After the first 11 kilometres, he was just 15 seconds slower than teammate Al-Attiyah.
Giniel de Villiers started the Dakar for the 18th time today and opened the race with a decent 18th position in the prologue. He finished just before Shameer Variawa, the fourth member of the Toyota factory effort, started well with a 26th position in the short opening stage.

Tim and Tom Coronel with the Beast

The Beast is back at the Dakar Rally! Twin-brothers Tim and Tom Coronel have made their way to Saudi Arabia again. The Coronel brothers got off to a solid start on Saturday, but the best is yet to come for the Dutch guys.

Solid start for Huzink

The Riwald Dakar Team started well during the prologue. Gert Huzink finished in P7, he ended the short stage 14 seconds shy of the win. His teammate Pascal de Baar finished in P10.

Mammoet Rally Sport Team

Martin van den Brink debuted the new truck on Saturday as well. He finished in P14, just 39 seconds behind the winner. Dakar rookie Mitchel van den Brink completed his first stage in 31st. The 18 year old has a steep learning curve for his first participation as a driver of a Volvo-truck.

The first real stage starts on Sunday with a special of 277 kilometres.