This year, the Toyota Cooper Tire outfit team claimed the seconds spot in the T2 Diesel class and ranked 16th overall in the event. However, veteran Dakar driver, Xavier Foj, is aiming for the class victory in 2011. We have to mention that the 2011 edition of the event will mark the 22nd participation of the driver.
Spaniard Foj together with his co-driver, Pablo Jason will tackle the event using a Toyota Land Cruiser KXR, being joined by a second duo: Spanish TV start Jesus Calleja and co-driver, Ignacio Santamaria. The latter pair will use a Toyota Hillux in their Dakar debut.
“Since the Dakar Rally moved to South America two years ago, the challenge to finish the event has been tougher than ever. The diversity of terrain that we now face on the rally is enormous – from soft sand dunes to mountain rocks and rutted tracks – but last year, our Cooper tyres dealt with everything we faced without a problem,” said Foj.
“In 2011, we will have a teammate racing with us. This will prove very valuable if either of our cars run into problems, as the second car will be able to help. Racing on our own was one of the hardest things in last year’s event.”
The two Toyota vehicles will use Cooper Discoverer STT tires to tackle the rough terrain - 9,000 km (5590 miles) through Argentina and Chile.
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