Without the benefit of Leeroy Poulter for the second Dakar in a row, still recovering from their health problems at the same time enjoying the fatherhood, Toyota Gazoo Racing has seen in the obligation to seek a substitute to the south-african driver. With Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giniel de Villiers as the spearheads of the project, the training directed by Glynn Hall has sought a third pilot guarantees to maintain unchanged its program of face-to-the 40th edition of the raid of the world’s toughest. In this aspect, Bernhard ten Brinke has been chosen to wear the colors official of Toyota in the Dakar 2018.
Bernhard ten Brinke is thus converted into the first dutchman who will compete as a pilot officer of a manufacturer in the category of cars and will do so with a Toyota Hilux V8 Evo in the shared work with veteran co-driver Michel Périn, great known fans of the raid for having been co-driver of Carlos Sainz or Nani Roma among other pilots. It will be the fifth Dakar for Ten Brinke after making his debut in 2012 with an impressive eighth place, end in 2015 in the seventh place and win his first stage on the Dakar in the edition of 2016.
Bernhard ten Brinke, after posing for the first time in the colours of Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, did not hide their enthusiasm for this new project: “Fly to a structure such as Toyota Gazoo Racing is a unique opportunity that I think grab it with both hands. With only a few minutes, one note all the experience in this team. Everything is thought through, even to the smallest details. In addition, will I be able to ride the latest version of the Toyota Hilux V8 Evo, so that I have a solid package to compete in the Dakar. My first goal is to achieve a better performance in the next Dakar”.
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