Quintero and Short's Stellar Performance Leads Toyota to Victory
In an outstanding display of skill and determination, American duo Seth Quintero and his co-driver Andrew Short achieved a remarkable victory at the fifth stage of the Rallye du Maroc, held on October 4, 2026. Competing under the prestigious banner of Toyota, this winning team not only secured the stage but also showcased their prowess ahead of the upcoming Dakar Rally, marking a significant milestone in their racing careers. This victory follows their earlier triumph in the Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina, establishing them as formidable competitors in the world of rally racing.
Quintero took command of the race during the penultimate stage and maintained his lead through the grueling final leg, which spanned 259 kilometers around Zagora. With this victory, he joins the elite group of drivers who have won the Rallye du Maroc, becoming the twelfth competitor to achieve this feat in a car and notably the first American-born driver to etch his name into the history books of this prestigious event. This victory marks Toyota's seventh overall success in this rally, signaling a powerful return to form for the manufacturer, especially three years after Yazeed Al Rajhi's celebrated win. Notably, Quintero had previously won the rally in 2022, albeit in the Challenger category.
Unpredictable End and Toyota's Dominance
The race took an unexpected turn as the stage victory hung in the balance until the final moments. At kilometer 250, competitors Eryk Goczal/Szymon Gospodarczyk (Ford) and Sébastien Loeb/Édouard Boulanger (Dacia) were locked in a tense battle for the lead. However, just a few hundred meters from the finish line, the French duo experienced a mysterious breakdown, handing the stage victory to the Polish team instead.
In an impressive demonstration of dominance, Toyota not only secured the stage win but also claimed the top three positions in the overall standings, with Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro finishing second, trailing by a mere 4 minutes and 23 seconds. This clean sweep of the podium further cements Toyota's status in the rally circuit, showcasing their engineering excellence and the exceptional skills of their drivers.
As reported by autohebdo.de.
