Behind the Wheels of Victory: The Role of Carbon Fibre in Toyota’s Dakar Dominance
The 2025 Dakar Rally showcased endurance, precision, and skill, with Toyota making an indelible mark by securing a 1-2 finish, as Yazeed Al Rajhi triumphed ahead of his teammate Henk Lategan. This victory on the challenging Saudi Arabian terrain solidified Al Rajhi’s lead in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) and confirmed Toyota’s dominance in the manufacturer standings with Shameer Variawa Racing building the cars. However, behind this success lies an unsung hero, Stan Wallace, a South African pioneer in carbon fibre composites and the founder of Wallace Race Composites, whose dedication to innovation has helped shape the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux into a machine capable of conquering the world’s toughest rally.
The Mastermind Behind the Toyota Hilux’s Durability
Wallace’s journey into the world of motorsports began in the 1970s, with humble experiments in creating durable and lightweight materials for canoes and paddles. Over the years, his expertise in carbon fibre composites evolved, leading him to a collaboration with Hallspeed in 2014. It was this partnership that led to Wallace’s pivotal role in the development of Toyota’s Dakar Rally vehicles along with Shameer Variawa Racing.
For nearly a decade, Wallace and his team have been crafting over 100 custom composite parts for the Toyota Hilux. These parts play a crucial role in the vehicle’s weight reduction and handling, making it more agile and resilient on the harsh, unforgiving terrain of the Dakar Rally. With each passing year, the Hilux continues to evolve – refined by Wallace’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of material engineering.
It is this dedication that has made Toyota’s Dakar vehicles a formidable force in rallying, allowing the brand to rack up an impressive four Dakar wins. Wallace’s team and Shameer Variawa Racing is not just focused on producing parts; they are part of a larger vision to ensure that Toyota’s vehicles remain as durable as they are fast.
The Road to Victory: Evolution, Not Revolution
One of the key elements behind Wallace’s success is his long-standing partnership with AMT Composites, which has been the main supplier of composite products for Wallace Race Composites for 37 years. According to Stan, the quality of AMT’s products is unmatched in the industry, and their commitment to excellence is a vital part of the team’s success. With AMT’s top-tier materials, Wallace and his team can craft high-performance components that help the Toyota Hilux thrive in the Dakar Rally’s tough terrain. Unlike many other vehicles on the track, Toyota’s bodywork and spares often withstand the extreme conditions of the race, remaining intact even after collisions and rough terrain. This durability is the result of Stan’s innovative use of composite materials, drawn from his extensive knowledge of experimenting with composites for canoes and paddles, which he applied to create robust motorsport parts.
The 2025 rally marked a particularly tough challenge, with only 50% of the competitors finishing. Yet, Toyota finished strong, with 40% of the field made up of Toyota vehicles and six in the top 20. Wallace credits Toyota’s consistent evolution of their Hilux, rather than relying on unlimited budgets or massive teams, for their success. According to Stan, the secret lies in Toyota’s vehicle DNA – an ongoing evolution rather than an entirely new design.
With a solid track record of success in Dakar, Wallace Race Composites continues to push boundaries in the world of motorsports, furthering their reputation for innovation, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
