Julian Johan’s Dakar debut in 2026 will come in a Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ100 that was previously used by Jean-Jacques Ratet in the 2004 edition.

Johan confirmed his new vehicle in a video posted to social media on Thursday, where he presents a diecast he has of the Land Cruiser:

This was the first diecast Dakar car I’ve owned. I’ve had it for a long time, and I actually started dreaming of racing in the Dakar Rally partly because I owned this diecast. This is the Toyota Land Cruiser 100, which was used in the 2004 Paris–Dakar Rally.

Surprisingly enough, it turns out the actual car from this toy is the one I’ll be using, Insya Allah, in the 2026 Dakar Rally. I was really surprised!

One more unique thing: the driver of this Land Cruiser 100 is also named Jeje! Short for Jean-Jacques, from France. Wow, amazing!

Now, to see what the car looks like, you guys will have to wait and see! It’s definitely being prepared. So, please pray for and support Indonesia. Insya Allah, at the 2026 Dakar Rally.

Ratet was a Toyota loyalist who raced a Land Cruiser as early as the inaugural running in 1979. His efforts, which included a best finish of fourth overall in 1985 and 1987, culminated in a factory ride with Toyota Team Araco in 2000.

He drove Team Araco’s HDJ100 from 2001 to 2006, being the top production car in 2002 and runner-up for such vehicles the year after. However, his 2004 Dakar was cut short by a mechanical. His final Dakar was in 2015.

Compagnie Saharienne eventually acquired the Land Cruiser and began restoring it. The team fielded five Land Cruisers at this year’s Dakar Classic with Frédéric Fatien being the higher finisher in 14th overall.

Shammie Zacky Baridwan, an Indonesian driver like Johan, will pilot a Land Cruiser HZJ78 for Compagnie Saharienne in the 2026 Classic. Ignas Daunoravičius has also joined the team for the race.

Nicknamed “Jejelogy”, Johan is the biggest off-road influencer in Indonesia and an Asia Cross Country Rally regular. To prepare for Dakar, he has been training with a 2024 Toyota Fortuner GR-S that he dubbed “Dakar 1GD”.

Featured image credit: via Jean-Jacques Ratet