Stage 8 of the 2026 Dakar Rally unfolded like a trial by sand and stone. A long, fast loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir served up towering dunes, jagged canyons and winding riverbeds, demanding stamina, precision and no small amount of nerve. For TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa, it was a day that rewarded persistence, anchored by a hard-fought stage victory and resilient performances across all three crews.
At the sharp end, Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet delivered a drive of calm intensity to claim victory on one of the toughest stages of the second week. Starting further back in the field, the pair carved their way through traffic and dust, building momentum across the varied terrain and applying relentless pressure right to the finish. When the clocks stopped, they had won by just three seconds, a margin that underlined both the pace and the precision required on the day.
“Today was quite difficult, especially with the dust and traffic,” said Variawa. “But we managed to pick them off one by one and push hard towards the end. Winning by three seconds shows how close it was, but I’m really happy. It’s our second stage win and the car was amazing.”
Cazalet highlighted the importance of commitment and accuracy over such a long special, where any lapse can unravel hours of hard work. The result lifts the duo to 13th overall as Dakar edges closer to its decisive final chapters.
For João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro, Stage 8 was about damage limitation and discipline. An early puncture, just a few kilometres into the special, forced the pair onto the back foot almost immediately. Running second on the road thereafter, they had to manage pace through compromised visibility and constantly changing conditions.
“It was a long stage and we had an early puncture,” Ferreira reflected. “After that, the pace was difficult because we were second on the road. But we’re alive and now it’s time to prepare for the second and last marathon.”
Their measured approach paid off. Ferreira and Palmeiro brought the car home safely in 17th position on the stage, +7:25 from the winner, and crucially remain inside the overall top 10 in 10th place as the rally heads into the Marathon stages.
Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena experienced a day of mixed fortunes. Strong pace through the opening half of the stage hinted at a competitive result, but a slow puncture and increasingly complex navigation late in the loop cost valuable minutes.
“It went really well until about halfway,” said Botterill. “Then we picked up a slow puncture and navigation got a bit tough towards the end. But it wasn’t a bad day in the car and we’re in a good position for tomorrow.”
They completed Stage 8 in 18th position, +7:55 from the stage winner, and sit 17th overall as Dakar prepares to test crews in a very different way.
Attention now turns to Stage 9, the opening leg of the second and final Marathon Stage of Dakar 2026. The route from Wadi Ad Dawasir to the Marathon bivouac features a 410 km special stage, with no service assistance at the finish. Dirt tracks, sand and extensive dune sections will shift the focus from outright speed to mechanical sympathy, navigation accuracy and strategic restraint. Crews will service their own cars overnight before tackling the second half of the Marathon, where smart decisions can be as valuable as raw pace.
After a day that showcased both grit and reward, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa heads into the Marathon with momentum, confidence and the knowledge that Dakar’s most demanding tests still lie ahead.
