The Situation

The Dakar Rally is known as the world’s toughest motor race, challenging competitors on motorcycles, quad bikes, trucks, and custom race cars. This year, the competitors raced across two South American countries, covering more than 9,000 km / 5592 miles.  

Among the contenders was Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, participating in their fifth consecutive Dakar. Despite going up against some of the world’s automotive giants, the South African team returned home with a well-earned podium finish.

The team’s vehicle of choice, the Toyota Hilux, was a fifth-generation model developed at Toyota Motorsport’s Hallspeed facility. Over the years, this collaboration has achieved truly impressive results:

  • 3rd place in their first Dakar appearance
  • 2nd place the following year
  • 4th place the next
  • 2nd place
  • 3rd place in their latest attempt

The Challenge

Victory at Dakar isn’t achieved by drivers alone. It demands:

  • Cohesive teams that can depend on each other
  • Highly reliable race vehicles built to endure extreme conditions
  • Exceptional filtration systems to protect engines and hydraulics from dust, debris, and water
  • Fast service times under harsh, unpredictable conditions that include floods and extreme dust storms

This year was one of the wettest Dakars on record, with heavy floods forcing the cancellation of more than one leg. Teams could not afford to sacrifice performance as they powered through ever-changing conditions, including deep water and thick dust.

Dust from the race pours out of a Powercore filter.

Maintaining clean air at a low restriction, clean fuel, and reliable hydraulics under these punishing conditions was critical for Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s success.

The Solution

Donaldson® rose to the challenge by supplying advanced filtration solutions tailored for the Dakar’s gruelling demands:

  • Air filtration: The team moved to Donaldson’s compact, high-efficiency PowerCore® filters. These were engineered:
    • To achieve high air flow from a small footprint
    • Capture massive dust loads while adding minimal airflow restriction
    • Allow only exceptionally clean air into the engine
    • Provide quick drainage and recovery from small amounts of water exposure 
  • Fuel filtration: Donaldson high-capacity fuel filters ensured contaminant-free fuel, essential for the Toyota Hilux's fuel injection systems, while minimising the frequency of services in dusty pit areas.
  • Hydraulic filtration: Donaldson provided hydraulic filters to protect steering systems and hydraulic jacks, critical for fast tire changes during the race.

Throughout the race, pressure readings showed no measurable degradation in airflow or system performance, even after extreme dust and water exposure.

The Result

Thanks to Donaldson’s filtration technology, Toyota Gazoo Racing SA achieved:

  • Consistent engine and vehicle performance despite brutal race conditions
  • A podium finish, a proud moment not just for Toyota but for South Africa
  • Proof of Donaldson’s product reliability in one of the harshest motorsport environments in the world
Toyota Gazoo Racing SA on the podium at the 2018 Dakar Rally

For Donaldson, partnering with Toyota Gazoo Racing SA at the Dakar Rally wasn’t just about sponsorship — it was an opportunity to showcase the strength and dependability of its filtration systems on a global stage.