On November 14, in Vilnius, Lithuania, a world-renowned rally driver Benediktas Vanagas presented a new car for the upcoming Dakar 2025 event. Gurtam is joining Vanagas for the 2025 season of the Dakar race.
The rally team’s partnership began in the end of 2023 and has continued through 2024, the most successful race result for Vanagas, and into the upcoming Dakar event in mid-January. This year marks the use of an updated vehicle ready for competition.
A look at the updated car
Vanagas will be driving a GR DKR Hilux EVO T1U, which has been under development for an entire year. TGR’s crew completed nearly 30,000 km of racing and testing during the 2023 season of W2RC and SARRC, marking how and what to improve on the vehicle.
This year’s vehicle has been updated with “EVO” in its name. That change represents the “evolution” of the car because it is 10 cm wider (measuring 2,3 meters). While that measurement may seem small, it is massive in terms of design geometry for rally racing.
Along with the width, the entire lower part of the car has changed, including the carbon parts. The vehicle is much more stable, allowing for an improved acceleration of up to 1 second per kilometer, which translates into saving an hour during the course of this year’s Dakar. Considering that Dakar is the most challenging race on the planet, the updated vehicle covers 5,000 km an hour faster than ever before.
Additional testing was completed in the Kalahari Desert to simulate the rough environment of the upcoming race. The mileage traveled across the Namib Desert was added to ensure the vehicle was fully prepared for the Dakar Rally’s unique terrain. Such attention to detail is why the TGR was awarded a Champion in the manufacturers category.
Key update for Gurtam – new partnership status
This year, Gurtam became the title partner for Benediktas Vanagas, which will be reflected in the team name — by changing to “Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Baltics”. For Gurtam, it’s an honor to be part of a team representing Lithuania on the global stage. As leaders in fleet management software worldwide, the company is proud to support Benediktas and his team in their ambitious journey.
Vanagas is one of the most successful racing drivers in the Baltic states. He has achieved notable results in rallying, endurance racing, and off-road competitions. This partnership ensures that Gurtam and all parties involved will find a way to better merge innovation, business, technology, and excellence in and out of rally racing.
Looking to a strong Dakar 2025 finish
The partnership between Gurtam and Vanagas promises an exciting performance in Dakar 2025. The fusion of technological innovation, strategic collaboration, and powerful driving skills will unlock new opportunities on the route.
The rally will be held from January 3 to 17. The total route will stretch from Bisha to Shubaytah, bringing rally enthusiasts from South Africa, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Lithuania, and many other countries together.
Gurtam wishes all participants, sponsors, drivers, and teams good luck in the upcoming Dakar 2025 rally. You can enjoy watching Vanagas' driving skills by following his number 208 along the route.
