Guerlain Chicherit and Guillaume de Mévius are teaming up for a multi-season programme in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). This Franco-Belgian alliance will kick off at the upcoming Dakar Rally with the entry of two Toyota Hilux, whose liveries will surely bring back fond memories for some...
If this brown-and-gold paint scheme rings a bell, it's probably because you grew up in the 1980s. Are you there? Yes, it's the same as the pickup from The Fall Guy, a cult TV series that featured the daredevil hero Colt Seavers for five thrilling seasons.
After an escapade in the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max in 2023, Guerlain Chicherit remains in the world of fiction, with the difference that this time he shares the starring role with Guillaume de Mévius, as well as co-drivers Alex Winock and Xavier Panseri. The two Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ vehicles lining up for the 2024 Dakar are prepared and operated by Overdrive Racing, a renowned name in the world of rally-raid. And this is just the beginning: the Saudi Arabian adventure is announced as the first episode in a series of twists and turns that will continue for several seasons.
Guerlain Chicherit, the winner of the 2022 Rallye du Maroc and two stages in the last Dakar, is embarking for the 13th time at the start of the most prestigious rally-raids, aiming to contend for victory. For his part, Guillaume de Mévius will continue his apprenticeship in the T1+ category, which he recently discovered in Morocco last October. It's a logical progression for him, who has distinguished himself over the last two years with an OT3 in which he was the only driver to threaten the supremacy of the Can-Am class.
The Dakar Rally will take place from January 5 to January 19, 2024, in Saudi Arabia, on a route totalling 7,891 km, including 4,727 special stages.
Guerlain Chicherit, Toyota Hilux #211 driver: Endurance is one of the keys to winning the Dakar. That goes for the driver, who sometimes have to be careful, as well as for the car, which has to be reliable. There's no point in going fast one day if it means breaking down the next. In this regard, our Toyota Hilux is undoubtedly the best T1+. There's a reason why Nasser has won with it three times. It's now up to me to make the difference by relying on my experience and my speed. In this quest, I can rely on the support of Guillaume (de Mévius), with whom we are currently crafting a beautiful future project.
Guillaume de Mévius, Toyota Hilux #221 driver: I am very excited and eager to compete in my first Dakar in a T1+. Teaming up with Guerlain (Chicherit) is a fantastic opportunity. He has vast experience in Rally-Raid, and I have much to learn. It's incredibly motivating to work together and build my future in this category. My goal for this Dakar is to get as close as possible to the top 5, with a particular aim to secure the title of Best Rookie.
