Seth Quintero and Andrew Short Triumph in Stage 5 of the Rally of Morocco
In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, American duo Seth Quintero and Andrew Short emerged victorious in the fifth stage of the Rally of Morocco, held on October 4, 2026. This thrilling event, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), saw Quintero, alongside his co-driver Short, showcase their prowess in a Toyota vehicle, claiming both the stage win and a significant place in rally history. Their victory in Morocco marks a notable achievement, making Quintero the first American-born driver to win this prestigious rally, joining the ranks of only 12 drivers to have claimed victory in a car at this event.
The stage, which spanned 259 kilometers around the scenic Zagora region, was anything but straightforward. Quintero took the lead during the penultimate leg of the race and maintained his position until the finish line, despite fierce competition. Notably, the Polish duo Eryk Goczal and Szymon Gospodarczyk, driving a Ford, and the renowned French pair Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger in a Dacia, pushed hard toward the end, matching Quintero's pace at the 250-kilometer mark. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the French team encountered mysterious complications just meters from the finish, allowing Goczal and Gospodarczyk to secure the stage victory, while Quintero celebrated the overall win.
Toyota Dominates the Overall Standings
The Rally of Morocco showcased not just individual talent but also the dominance of Toyota in the competitive landscape of rally racing. In a spectacular performance, the Japanese manufacturer clinched the top three spots in the overall standings, further solidifying their reputation in the sport. Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro achieved their best result in the W2RC by finishing in second place, trailing Quintero by a margin of 4 minutes and 23 seconds. Meanwhile, Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, who were runners-up in the previous year’s Dakar Rally, completed the podium in third place, finishing just 4 minutes and 42 seconds behind the leaders.
Following the Toyota trio, the Ford team comprised of Nani Roma and Alex Haro secured fourth place, while Mitch Guthrie and Kellon Walch took fifth, with renowned driver Carlos Sainz finishing in sixth place alongside co-driver Dani Oliveras. Notably, the first French competitors to finish the event overall were Mathieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier, who placed seventh in their South African Century vehicle, crossing the line with a respectable time of 13 minutes and 53 seconds behind the leaders.
This stage of the Rally of Morocco not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the drivers but also set the stage for the upcoming Dakar Rally, where teams will hope to build on their performances. The Rally of Morocco continues to be a significant event in the rally calendar, bringing together the best in the sport and providing thrilling moments for teams and fans alike. With Quintero’s remarkable achievement, the rally scene is buzzing with anticipation for what lies ahead in the world of rally racing.
As reported by autohebdof1.com.
