Toyota Gazoo Racing’s young stars set their sights on Dakar glory

Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa’s rising off-road talents, Saood Variawa and Sa’aad Variawa, have their sights firmly set on the Dakar Rally as they continue to build experience both locally and internationally.Speaking to The Citizen’s Mark Jones, Saood said a strong start to the South African championship has given him confidence heading into a busy season. The youngster currently leads the local standings while also competing in rounds of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, where he recently secured a fifth-place finish in Argentina despite technical setbacks.Both drivers described the Dakar Rally as the “Formula One of rally-raid” and said winning the event, along with a world championship, remains their ultimate ambition.

Away from rally-raid, Variawa hopes to one day compete in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while Sa’aad dreams of testing himself in the World Rally Championship. The pair also encouraged young South Africans to pursue motorsport, saying greater youth representation is helping inspire the next generation of rally competitors.