Robby Gordon and Toyo Tires win final stage of the 2015 Dakar

Jan. 20, 2015

Robby Gordon and navigator Johnny Campbell finished atop the podium Saturday after winning the 13th, and final, stage of the legendary Dakar rally.

The two piloted their SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires /Traxxas HST Gordini from Rosario to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 13 minutes, 16 seconds - a full 25 seconds faster than the next finisher.  Delivering maximum traction and exceptional durability over the difficult and varied terrain for this and the entire rally were Toyo Open Country M/T-R tires.
 
Finishing 19th overall, Gordon once again proved his determination by overcoming adversity early in the rally where he fell to 50th place during Stage 2.  His rebound also included a third place finish in Stage 5, proving he would not be beaten by the rally.  Known as a fearless competitor, fans will remember highlights such as Gordon’s legendary maximum-speed descent during Stage 8 from the mammoth sand dunes of Iquique, Chile, to coastline far below.
 
“It’s unfortunate that we had a few freak things happen to the Toyo Tires/Traxxas Gordini early in the Rally,” Gordon said.  “However, the one thing we had no issues with the entire Rally were our Toyo Tires.  In fact, we have not had an issue with our Toyo Tires for more than three years in the Dakar Rally, which is an amazing testament given the terrain and how much we punish them.  Our guys never gave up either and they worked all night, every night and fought to the finish ending on a high note.  We will be back with Toyo again in 2016 for another shot at the overall Dakar Rally win.”
 
Also competing for Team Toyo was former World Extreme Ski Champion Guerlain Chicherit and navigator Alex Winocq with the323 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires “zebra” buggy from Team X-Raid.  Chicherit and his team displayed their remarkable tenacity to complete the rally as they overcame various challenges.  They soldiered on through a variety of obstacles which included a loss of power steering, electrical problems, a clutch replacement, and an on-board fire which would have ended the rally for most teams.  Chicherit proved his speed and driving talent by finishing on the podium in third place during Stage 9 and 45th overall.  Of the 137 cars that started the rally only 67 completed it.
 
“Robby Gordon, Guerlain Chicherit, and both of their teams demonstrated perseverance and a championship spirit in the 2015 Dakar Rally,” said Amy Coleman, senior director of marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “We celebrate their successes as part of Team Toyo, and are proud that our Open Country tires helped them tackle the toughest race in the world.”
 
Running January 4-17, the 13-stage 2015 Dakar covered nearly 5,650 miles through Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.  Man, machine and tires had to overcome challenging terrain including remote deserts, soaring mountain passes, vast sand dunes, river crossings and fields of rocks… making Dakar the most demanding race in all of motorsport.
 
Back in North America this year, Robby Gordon will represent Team Toyo in SCORE-International desert off-road racing, and in the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road series.
 
Learn more about Team Toyo drivers and the full line of tires from Toyo Tires at www.toyotires.com.