CYPRESS, CA – Toyo Tires returns to the 2016 Dakar with two teams and three vehicles poised to challenge for the overall lead.  The 13-day, 5,739-mile endurance rally begins January 2 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and includes stages in the country of Bolivia.  Team Toyo Off-Road drivers include veterans Robby Gordon and Guerlain Chicherit, while introducing its newest member and 2015 Stadium SUPER Truck (SST) champion, Sheldon Creed.

Robby Gordon’s Team SPEED brings two bright orange Gordini racers, the #312 SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires/ TRAXXAS entry of Robby Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch; and the #337 SPEED Energy/ Toyo Tires entry driven by Sheldon Creed, with navigator Jonah Street.  Gordon and Toyo Tires began competing in the Dakar in 2006, delivering the first-ever stage win for Toyo Tires during the 2007 rally.  This would be the first of many stage wins over the years for Toyo Tires and Gordon.

“There is really no racing event like the Dakar, and now that we are entering our 12th Rally, we believe we’ve seen just about everything and know how to prepare for it,” said Gordon.  “With the addition of Sheldon Creed in a second Toyo Tires HST Gordini Supercar, Team SPEED brings the extra support needed on course that we have lacked in the last few years. It is the ‘ultimate survival test’ which is what makes the Dakar Rally such a tremendous event.”

Making his Dakar start at only 18-years of age, Sheldon Creed is the youngest-ever competitor in the Dakar, and youngest member of Team Toyo.  During 2015, he won 11 SST races, while capturing a Gold Medal during the 2015 X-Games.  His identically prepared Gordini will allow Creed to tap into the experience and knowledge of team leader Gordon.  Creed will also compete in the 2016 SST season as a member of Team Toyo.

“I feel honored to be driving for Toyo Tires as the youngest driver in the Dakar Rally,” said Creed.  “I know I have a lot to learn, but under the guidance of Dakar veteran Robby Gordon I believe I am up for the challenge to take on the best off-road racers in the world.”

Guerlain Chicherit and navigator, Alex Winocq of Team X-Raid, will return with the #324 Toyo Tires/Monster Energy buggy, which became famous for its unique black and white zebra graphic scheme last Dakar.  Both Chicherit and Winocq are veteran Dakar competitors with the Toyo Tires brand.

“I’m really happy to be racing the Dakar Rally again, and Alex and I have been working hard on the Zebra Buggy’s development so it’s ready to successfully take on the toughest endurance race in the world,” said Chicherit.  “We had one of my most eventful and toughest races last year, and the tires really proved to be the most reliable, durable and indestructible – it’s incredibly reassuring to know we have a partner like Toyo by our side again.”

“We are excited to have three talented drivers competing for an overall win this year at the 2016 Dakar rally,” said Stan Chen, senior manager of sponsorships and events, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “While we have enjoyed many stage victories over the years on Toyo Open Country® tires, the prestigious overall victory has eluded us and we are determined to finish at the top.”

Gordon, Chicherit and Creed depend on the durability, traction and tread life of Toyo Open Country® tires as they take on the toughest off-road race in the world.

For the latest updates on Team Toyo in the 2016 Dakar check out facebook.com/toyotires, twitter.com/toyotires and Instagram.com/toyotires.  To learn more about Toyo Open Country tires and the full line of Toyo products visit toyotires.com.