Parts manufacturer KYB has continued its successful partnership with Toyota Auto-Body,    providing technical support and sponsorship of the Team Land Cruiser rally car which has taken class victory in the 2016 Dakar rally.

The adapted vehicle driven by Nicolas Gibon with co-driver Jean Pierre Garcin, won the T2 class in gruelling event. Customised KYB specialist sports shock absorbers were fitted to the vehicle, which has a flexible damping force to be able to provide driving stability in a variety of road conditions. The specification used is extremely high, with the stability aimed at enduring 10,000 km on bad roads. The shock absorbers have a strong seal to prevent the desert sand from entering inside in the harsh dusty environment.

The Land Cruiser shock absorbers also have a separate tank in order to increase the oil volume required in the extreme heat and for the long distances in the race. The dampers have a lightweight construction and have an adjustable damping force to provide the responsiveness the vehicle requires on the tough terrains. KYB engineers worked closely with Team Land Cruiser to test the shock absorbers and the car in extreme conditions, to ensure it could cope with the challenges.

The 2016 Dakar rally started in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, crossing into Bolivia before finishing back in Argentina. The race lasted 14 days with 13 stages, covering a total of 9,237km. 347 teams entered the rally and only 62 finished.