TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Secures Historic Fifth Consecutive Safari Rally Victory

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TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Secures Historic Fifth Consecutive Safari Rally Victory

Elfyn Evans Clinches First Safari Rally Win, Strengthening Toyota’s Championship Lead

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) continued its dominance in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) by securing a historic fifth consecutive victory at the Safari Rally Kenya. Elfyn Evans, alongside co-driver Scott Martin, delivered a stellar performance in the No. 33 GR YARIS Rally1, marking his first win at the legendary event and Toyota's 13th overall triumph in Kenya.

The victory also celebrated a milestone for TGR-WRT, as it marked the team’s 100th WRC event since its return in 2017. Toyota now leads the 2025 WRC Manufacturers’ Championship with 148 points, reinforcing its position as a powerhouse in the competition.

Toyota’s Triumph in the Face of Extreme Conditions

This year’s Safari Rally Kenya presented one of the most grueling challenges of the WRC season, covering a punishing 383.1-kilometer competitive distance. Drivers faced treacherous rocky terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, including torrential rains that transformed sections of the course into mud-laden traps.

Evans and Martin strategically navigated the challenging terrain, taking the lead on Friday and maintaining a commanding position through consistent and calculated driving. By the end of day three, they had built a near two-minute advantage over their rivals. On the final day, the duo executed a flawless drive through the last five stages, securing victory with a lead of 1 minute and 9.9 seconds.

The result marks Toyota’s 53rd WRC win and 123rd podium finish since rejoining the championship in 2017.

Akio Toyoda Applauds Team’s Performance

TGR-WRT Chairman Akio Toyoda praised Evans and Martin for their remarkable achievement.

“Elfyn and Scott, congratulations on your victory. Their win secured the team’s third consecutive victory this season and a fifth straight Safari Rally Kenya triumph. The roads in Kenya were as unforgiving as ever, and this win was far from easy. Our team approached this rally with four years of experience, but we still encountered new challenges,” Toyoda stated.

He emphasized Toyota’s commitment to continuous improvement, adding, “Every rally teaches us something new. This event reaffirmed the importance of motorsports in building ever-better cars. Starting tomorrow, the entire team will work on refining the GR YARIS Rally1 to make it even stronger. These advancements extend beyond rally cars, influencing the future of Toyota vehicles worldwide.”

Next Stop: Rally Islas Canarias

With the Safari Rally Kenya now behind them, TGR-WRT shifts focus to the next WRC round—Rally Islas Canarias—scheduled for April 24–27. Returning to Spanish territory for the first time since 2022, the event will take place on the winding asphalt roads of Gran Canaria, offering a stark contrast to the rugged challenges of Kenya.

Toyota’s continued success in motorsports aligns with its broader vision of innovation and performance. Over the years, the company has participated in various high-profile events, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Since consolidating its motorsport activities under the TGR brand in 2015, Toyota has used racing as a platform to develop new automotive technologies, reinforcing its mission to create ever-better cars for drivers worldwide.