American Duo Secures Victory in Pre-Dakar Rally
Seth Quintero and his co-driver Andrew Short have achieved a remarkable feat at the 2026 Rallye du Maroc, a crucial event leading up to the Dakar Rally. The American team, who previously clinched victory at the Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina this season, solidified their prowess by winning the Moroccan rally on October 4th. This victory marks a significant moment in the world of rally-raid, as it positions Quintero as the 12th different driver to win the Rallye du Maroc in the automobile category, and notably, he becomes the first American-born driver to etch his name into this prestigious event's history.
During the penultimate special stage, Quintero took the lead and maintained it with unwavering confidence throughout the final 259 kilometers around Zagora. This win also signifies Toyota's seventh triumph in this rally, a noteworthy return to form after a three-year hiatus since Yazeed Al Rajhi's victory. Although Quintero had previously won in 2022, it was in the Challenger category, making this victory even sweeter for the talented driver.
The outcome of the final stage was uncertain for a significant period, with Eryk Goczal and Szymon Gospodarczyk of Ford and Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger of Dacia battling fiercely. Both teams were clocked at the same time at the 250-kilometer mark, but the French duo inexplicably halted just meters from the finish line, allowing the Polish crew to snatch the stage victory.
Toyota Dominates Overall Standings
The Rallye du Maroc proved to be a total triumph for Toyota, occupying the top three positions in the overall standings. Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro achieved their best result in the W2RC, finishing second, while the 2025 Dakar runners-up, Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, secured third place. Following them were a trio of Ford teams, including Nani Roma and Alex Haro in fourth, Mitch Guthrie and Kellon Walch in fifth, and the legendary Carlos Sainz and Dani Oliveras in sixth.
Among the top French competitors were Mathieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier, who finished seventh in their South African Century vehicle. Conversely, Dacia's performance was disappointing, with no cars making it into the top ten. Nasser Al-Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin ended around the 15th place after facing mechanical issues early on, mirroring the struggles of Loeb and Boulanger, who endured a hefty penalty that set them back significantly. Lucas Moraes and Dennis Zenz also faced early elimination due to a rollover incident.
As reported by autohebdo.fr.
