Benediktas VANAGAS

GURTAM TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Baltics,
Best Baltic result - #8 Dakar 2024
Rally - Racing - Cross Country - Offroad

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

What to do in 2026?

Great job by @fia & @OfficialWRC – a clear plan, shared at the right time. Makes decisions so much easier!

#Gurtam #TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

2027 Dakar route shifts clearly west in Saudi Arabia—away from Riyadh and the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali). One reading: route design is increasingly shaped by safety and operational factors.

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

We left the "marathon" mindset in the Saudi dunes. For now. The team has "unfinished business" in European Baja Cup. We don't just race to compete. We play a tactical chess match at high speed to secure the top step of the podium.

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Team*
Without them, I am nothing.
Together, we make the impossible possible.
There are situations that don't go as planned. The most important thing is what we do afterward.
And now, the Dakar is OVER. The Dakar BEGINS!

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarinSaudi

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

New video released.
Stage 4 👉 https://t.co/6zY4ZE3M9I

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Starting the second half of Marathon stage at 10:26 AM. 426 km of tough speed sections, sand, and rocks. Time to recalibrate my speed!

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBlatics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

For those, who dare.

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Crews before the start @dakar.

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Stage 3, P19, 14th overall.
Stage was fast, technical, rocky, but we found the balance and didn't damage the tires.
Hilux is a beast, working like clockwork!
350 km to bivouac, I’m the navigator now. :)

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

That was a GOOD ONE.. a good one and a close one. A moment when we almost had a C. Sainz scenario.

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Daily video 48h Chrono Stage.
Link 👉 https://t.co/wQ6QvSNaDG

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

P10, up to P14 overall after 48h chrono.
Had a “slow puncture,” changed the tire, got lost a few times, head’s still not 100%.
Marathon’s like life—lots of ups and downs. Tactic’s working for now.
Really craving a shower right now! :)
#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Tonight we will be at camp 5. Today we covered 626 km 💪

Preliminarily - P14, moving up to P21 in the overall standings.

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

New video about Stage 1 in @dakar.
The link 👉https://t.co/9uqrnNHw3B

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Remote service - done.

Technicians weren't heavily bothered - just cleaning and preventive inspection.

Black Hawk - in great spirits.

Moving forward👊

#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #DakarRally

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

The stage was tough – technical, deceptive, and full of stones. Punctured tires at 20km and 80km made it hard to finish, but we got through. Big concern: malfunctioning safety equipment. Ready for the 48h Chrono!
#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Could there be anything better than getting out of the car in Saudi Arabia and speaking only Lithuanian?!? 💪
You are unreal!
#Gurtam
#TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#ProudToBeLITHUANIAN
#DakarRally #Dakar2025

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

We can't carry flags on the car yet, but the Vytis is always with us! 👊🇱🇹

#Gurtam #TOYOTAGAZOORacingBaltics
#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #Dakar

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

Currently P26.
I wanted to go fast, but we planned to finish after Sainz for a good position tomorrow. Mission accomplished! :)
The stage was fast, wish the whole Dakar was like this.
We slowed down at the end to lose half a minute and be where we planned.
So, @dakar started!

[Benediktas VANAGAS @BenVanagas]

"Dakar is life. Everything else is just waiting for it."

I don't entirely agree with this statement. But yes, Dakar teaches a lot.

Let the new "school year" begin!

3, 2, 1, let's move from the bivouac to the start 🙂

#Dakar2025 #DakarInSaudi #DakarRally