Toyo participates in the World Rally Raid Championship

Toyo Tire has announced that starting from the second stage of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) — the first being the current Dakar rally-marathon — it will be partnering with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, which competes in the top Ultimate (T1) class. 

For the races, Toyo will be supplying Open Country M/T-R tires (size 37x12.50 R17 LT) in a version specifically designed for W2RC, including the Dakar, and the company says that "using the knowledge we've gained from rally competitions, we've improved the off-road capabilities and damage resistance of the tires, making them effective at high speeds in various challenging conditions, including rocks, soft sand, and mud". Additionally, the tires are also made using eco-friendly materials, Toyo adds. 

The team will be using the DKR GR Hilux racing pickup, built on the basis of the Toyota Hilux, and the driver will be Akira Miura, who is also an ambassador for the Open Country brand, under which Toyo releases tires for off-road vehicles. 

The W2RC Championship has been sanctioned by the international automobile and motorcycle federations (FIA and FIM respectively), and the 2026 season will include five stages, which will take place in the Middle East, South America, Africa, and Europe. The races are held over long distances, and participants must adapt to constantly changing conditions, while the tires must provide the necessary traction on both hard rocks and in mud, all while withstanding extreme loads. The next stage — the BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal — will take place from March 17 to 22. 

Photo: response.jp