Dakar star honoured at Goodwood

Dakar Racing Toyota Hilux

Taking the honour of honours amongst a full house of legendary drivers, South African Giniel de Villiers and his Dakar Racing Toyota Hilux was honoured with the Driver’s Award at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Read more after the break.

De Villiers drove the Hilux on hot laps on the 4 km Goodwood Forest Rally Stage and was chosen by marshals and the clerk of the course as the most exciting driver on the weekend. This award would have surprised few as Giniel and his special red-painted Hilux was fourth fastest of all contenders on the forest stage, only beaten by three World Rally Championship (WRC) cars.

“The guys really liked the bakkie [South African word for pick-up truck]! I had the Hilux on two wheels on Friday and I guess that people really enjoyed that. We come here to have some fun and showcase the Dakar Racing Hilux, yet in some sense it is also the spiritual start to our Dakar campaign, which will start in full force at the end of this month in the Namib desert.”
– Giniel

Drivers’ Prize for Giniel and his Hilux

Enjoy an exciting roller-coaster ride in the Hilux with Giniel de Villiers:

While the Hilux conquered the famed forest stage, Toyota showcased its rich racing heritage on tarmac as well. Featured amongst the line-up of great racing cars and drivers were all three recent generations of Toyota’s works Le Mans racers, notably the TS030 HYBRID that finished 2nd and 4th in this year’s gruelling 24 hour race. Drivers Alex Wurz and Anthony Davidson were on hand to pilot this racing car up the famed slopes of Goodwood.

Toyota Le Mans generations

Other Toyota legends included the TS020 GT-One Le Mans car of 1998 and 1999 that was reunited with drivers Martin Brundle and Emanuel Collard, several racing Celica models, the last works-entered Toyota Corolla WRC and a classic AE86 to stand alongside a special Toyota 86 model – the FT-86 Open concept.

Reunited with the TS020 GT-One for the first time since the late 90s, Martin Brundle talked to us about the experience below:

On Saturday, Alex also tried his hands at the rally stage in the Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185 while Emmanuel Collard (driver of the TS020 in 1998 and 1999) was passenger with Giniel in the Hilux. Alex shared his maiden rally experience with us in our Driver Diary video series on Saturday:

“The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an amazing show. So many great and historic racing cars and drivers are on hand and the atmosphere is incredible. If you love cars, you have to attend this festival at least once in your life.”
– Giniel

An estimated 150 000 people attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed over the three days. After his final hill climb run with the TS030 HYBRID, Anthony Davidson shared his thoughts on another incredible Festival of Speed:

Ride on board with Martin and Alex for the world-famous Goodwood hill climb in the TS020 GT-One and TS030 HYBRID:

Don’t forget to visit the Toyota UK Blog which features a whole host of exciting stories from Goodwood 2013, including exclusive interviews with all our drivers!

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013 Gallery