“Work together to win a 12th Stock title”
CREW FACTS…
A.M.
- 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 four occasions including the one conquered last year.
- In January the 41-year-old will be starting his 16th Dakar. The goal will once again be to win the Stock class and to do so he’ll need to beat his biggest rival and team mate: Ronald Basso.
- At his side, Miura will count on the help of a new co-driver, Jean-Michel Polato with whom he tested the upgraded version of his LandCruiser 300 GR Sport at the Rallye du Maroc, but also had fun behind the steering wheel of T1+ Ultimate Hilux at Baja Greece and Qatar.
J-M.P
- Jean-Michel Polato is what you can consider as an old timer on the Dakar. He first appeared on the rally in 2000 inside the cabin of an assistance truck.
- Things went a lot faster a year later when he was chosen by Carlos Sousa as his navigator in a Mitsubishi. A fabulous first real appearance including two stage wins and a final 5th position. That established him as a precious co-driver to have in a competitive car.
- He would later compete alongside Dakar references such as Dominique Housieaux, Pierre Lachaume or Christian Lavieille (8th in 2011).
- The career of the 53-year-old from the South-West of France evolved as the rally moved to Saudi Arabia and he was selected by the Toyota Auto Body team. Alongside Ronald Basso, the Frenchman clinched the T2 Production car title in 2023.
- For his 17th Dakar, Polato joins Akira Miura and will have to adapt to a new mode of communication. Both men had the opportunity to compete together in a Toyota T1+ and adapt to each other at Baja races in Greece and in Qatar.
AMBITION 2025
A.M.: “As far as I’m aware, the last Dakar was the hardest rally to date. Our ability to clear it inspires confidence and I could feel our evolution. The reliability of the car has improved dramatically, and I can step on the accelerator pedal with confidence. Like the Dakar Rally, the Rallye du Maroc that we did in October increases in difficulty each year. This time, we competed on a wide range of challenging terrains, which provided valuable experience in preparation for the Dakar Rally. We’ll all work together to secure the 12th consecutive victory of Toyota Auto Body in T2 at the 2025 Dakar Rally.”
