Tomáš Ouredníček proudly reps the Toyota Gazoo Racing branding on his Toyota Hilux, but TGR Czech is just a regional subsidiary with fairly limited support from the company. That might be why he’s so excited for the Rallye du Maroc, where he will be within SVR’s framework and gain full access to the company and flagship TGR’s facilities and crew.

“After I received an invitation to a private test in Spain and tried out how the latest-generation factory car works, I wanted nothing more than to race with it,” said Ourědníček. “It was no coincidence that it turned out to be a very demanding race in the Sahara Desert nicknamed the ‘Little Dakar’.”

Rafał Marton, who usually competes in Polish and Central European Zone rally series, will serve as navigator in his first W2RC race. Since Marton is Polish while Ourědníček is Czech, the latter expects to communicate in English but wouldn’t be shocked if either of their native tongues slip in. His navigators are usually fellow Czechs like David Křípal and Lukáš Barták.

The Rallye du Maroc will be Ourědníček’s inaugural W2RC race that isn’t the Dakar Rally. He’s raced Dakar nine times, finishing 39th in 2024 edition before eschewing the 2025 edition for the Africa Eco Race.

Ourědníček’s AER debut in January was cut short after six stages when the engine blew while running second; he was able to score back-to-back class stage wins prior to his DNF. His Hilux also bowed out of the Hungarian Baja in August with multiple mechanical problems.

Of course, his hope is that having the same resources as TGR’s factory drivers will ensure a better experience in Morocco. His hope is to finish top 20.

“This is a unique opportunity for me, and is the culmination of our journey together with Toyota,” he continued. “Finally, I can fully focus on just racing, have the entire factory program at my disposal, watch how they operate, and experience it all firsthand.

“It is a big change for me. I will have the team’s mechanics and a complete support. This time, I won’t have to worry about the car nor about service and logistics. I consider it a celebration and the culmination of my lifelong efforts.”

SVR is based in South Africa and builds the Toyota GR DKR HIlux. The company enjoys good relations with the European-based Toyota Gazoo Racing, though the latter has also started development of a new Hilux for 2026.

Featured image credit: Jennifer Lindini / ASO