Ultimate Dakar racing team
Ouředníček: “I Have Unfinished Business in Dakar”
The decision has been made. The Czech team Toyota Gazoo Racing Czech will once again head to Dakar at the beginning of this year — specifically to compete in the Africa Eco Race, which follows the route of the original Paris–Dakar Rally. “We have an unfinished task there from the last edition,” explains team principal and driver Tomáš Ouředníček.
The nine-time Dakar Rally participant originally aimed to participate in both major January events — the Rally Dakar in Saudi Arabia and the Africa Eco Race, which finishes in Dakar, Africa. “Since summer, we had been working on a slightly crazy plan to race both Dakars. From the start, we knew it would require two cars and be extremely demanding, but also that it was theoretically possible,” Ouředníček explains.
As part of this plan, he entered the October Rallye du Maroc, the final round of the World Rally-Raid Championship. There, he was given the latest factory version of the Toyota Hilux Evo — the same car with which Lucas Moraes won the world championship title. Although a steering failure ultimately cost Ouředníček a strong result, he gained invaluable experience behind the wheel of what is currently the most competitive car in the field, along with a promise of further cooperation with its developers.
However, immediately after the race, unexpected logistical challenges began to arise. “At the same time, I had to focus on completing a major professional project — the new Horácká Multifunctional Arena (HMA) in Jihlava. I was under enormous pressure at that moment, and we ultimately had to cancel this plan,” says Ouředníček, team principal and owner of the successful technology company MusicData. “We knew from the beginning that it would be logistically extreme, but conditions changed so significantly that it became unrealistic. We had only one week to make the final decision and arrange everything necessary — and that simply wasn’t possible,” he explains.
As a result, Toyota Gazoo Racing Czech once again chose the Africa Eco Race. “We have unfinished business there from last year, and we will focus fully on reaching Dakar and achieving the best possible result,” says Ouředníček. “We will definitely return to the Rally Dakar in the future — but it has to make sense, and we must be confident that we are fully competitive,” he adds.
The Africa Eco Race was first held at the end of 2008. On January 20, competitors and their support teams will embark in France, cross the sea, and then head through the harsh terrain of northwest Africa toward Dakar, Senegal.
Bad Fuel, the End in the Desert, a New Engine, and Renewed Determination
Last year’s edition of the race started at the end of the year in Monaco, marking Toyota Gazoo Racing Czech’s first-ever participation. After a fatal engine failure caused by poor-quality fuel refueled in Africa, Tomáš Ouředníček and navigator Lukáš Barták were forced to retire after winning the fifth stage — while holding second place overall.
“While the Rally Dakar is increasingly becoming a high-speed sprint, the race to the legendary Dakar remains a true adventure. That’s what draws us to Africa,” says Ouředníček.
This year, the team will once again take on the African stages with the Toyota Hilux GR V8 in the elite T1+ category, again paired with navigator Lukáš Barták. Under the hood will be a brand-new naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. “The FIA has allowed a larger air restrictor, which has had a positive effect on engine performance. I have a very good feeling about it — it’s quite similar to the turbocharged engine I drove in Morocco in October,” Ouředníček explains.
Together with the rest of the team, they aim to capitalize on experience and learn from past mistakes. “Last year, we weren’t allowed to bring our own fuel on the ferry, so we filled our barrels with premium fuel directly in Morocco. But premium fuel there is likely rarely purchased, meaning it was probably old and degraded. That destroyed our engine and ended our race,” Ouředníček recalls.
This year, he wants to have a backup fueling strategy available at the start. “So far, the organizer guarantees only 95-octane fuel, which is not suitable for our engine. We are therefore negotiating better fuel options with the organizer and will also try to secure an alternative source — most likely aviation fuel,” he explains. “We know the entire route to Dakar, how to set up the suspension, how many tires and mechanics we need. This time, we will also have an engineer with us to closely monitor the engine,” Ouředníček adds.
In addition to bringing more personnel and spare tires, the team also plans to take more sweets for local children in Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal.
“Africa is beautiful, and I’m really looking forward to it. You race across the largest desert in the world in conditions that are far from easy. It’s tough — but that’s exactly what we love. Mutual support, friendship, and joy in others’ success. In the bivouac, everyone is equal. Last year, I felt we had a real chance to win. This time, we’re putting all our energy into it and will do everything possible to win,” promises Tomáš Ouředníček.
