TOYOTA

AM 

• Akira Miura is a pure product of the Toyota Auto Body school. The Japanese started on the Dakar as a co-driver, first with Jun Mitsuhashi back in 2007, then with Frenchman Nicolas Gibon with whom he managed his best ever performance, finishing 14th when the rally visited South America for the very first time.
• He then perfectly adapted to the steering wheel as an official Toyota Auto Body driver in 2016, reaching the finish of all his Dakar adventures and clinching the T2 production car title on five occasions including the one conquered last year.
• In January the 42-year-old will be starting his 17th Dakar. The goal will once again be to win the Stock class and to do so he’ll not only need to beat his biggest rival and team mate: Ronald Basso, but also the Defender armada that appears in the category with the likes of Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel, Rokas Baciuska and Sarah Price.
• At his side, Miura will count on the help of a Jean-Michel Polato with whom he tested the upgraded version of his LandCruiser 300 GR Sport at the Rallye du Maroc. Both men even enjoyed a racing experience in a totally different vehicle: a T1+ Toyota Hilux that they took to 29th place in the Ultimate category at the in South African Safari Rally.