Toyo Tires Wins Stage 2 of Dakar

Toyo Tires is in the history books capturing the win and a third place finish in Stage 2 of the 2012 Dakar rally.  Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator, Lucas Cruz, piloted their No. 300 Qatar HUMMER to the Stage 2 win.  Al-Attiyah made a remarkable charge from the 38th starting position for his well-earned victory in the 290km Special Stage from Santa Rosa de la Pampa to San Rafael, Argentina.  Robby Gordon and navigator, Johnny Campbell, finished in third in their No. 3303 SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires HUMMER — Gordon now second overall in the Dakar.  Both of the two-wheel-drive vehicles rely on Toyo Open Country M/T-R tires to deliver their podium finishes.
 
Gordon led the 57km Stage 1 of the rally from Mal Del Plata to Santa Rosa de La Pampa.  Only 2km from the end of the stage, he came across teammate Al-Attiyah who was sidelined due to a loss of power.  Gordon provided a tow to the finish of the stage, sacrificing a Stage 1 victory, but ensuring both vehicles would compete for the overall victory in the 14-stage, 9,000 kilometers (5,592 miles) Pan American race.
 
“This is a brilliant come-from-behind victory for Al-Attiyah and Toyo Tires in Stage 2 of Dakar,” said Amy Coleman, senior director of marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.  “And with Robby Gordon standing in second overall, we couldn’t be more pleased with how we are starting this world class event.”
 
Stage 3 heads toward the rugged Andes mountain range, where vehicles are faced with punishing rocks and bumps.  This is the perfect environment for showing the prowess of Robby Gordon’s HUMMER race vehicles and their Open Country M/T-R tires.
 
Be sure to follow the daily action on the Dakar Rally Blog located at www.toyotires.com/dakar-rally-blog.