Giniel De Villiers and Dennis Murphyof Toyota Gazoo Racing race during stage 08 of Rally Dakar 2024 from Al Duwadimi to Hail, Saudi Arabia on January 15, 2024.
Giniel De Villiers of Toyota Gazoo Racing is seen at the start line of stage 03 of Rally Dakar 2024 from Al Duwadimi to Al Salamiya, Saudi Arabia on January 8, 2024.

Giniel
De Villiers

South Africa

South Africa

·

Rally Raid

A former track racer, South Africa's Giniel De Villiers has gone on to become one of the most experienced and successful Dakar Rally drivers ever.

Date of birth

25 March 1972

Place of birth

Barrydale

Age

53

Nationality

South Africa

South Africa

Career start

1997

Disciplines

Rally Raid Car

Winner of the 2009 Dakar Rally and a six-time Dakar podium visitor, South African rally driver Giniel De Villiers is as one with the Dakar Rally as the very terrain that makes up the course.

But it wasn't always the case; Giniel started out his career as a track racer – and a pretty good one at that. Anyone who needs convincing has only to look at the four South African Touring Car titles he has under his belt, including three in a row from 1997 to 1999.