Seth Quintero has won the 13th edition of Argentina’s Desafío Ruta 40, taking the first FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) victory of his career. Driving a Toyota Hilux GR for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing with navigator Andrew Short, Quintero finished the five-day rally in San Juan in 15:55:38, 1:55 ahead of Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings.
Lategan and Cummings finished second in 15:57:33, in another Toyota Hilux GR. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin were third in a Dacia Sandrider, 15:58:04.
The rally ran over five stages in the foothills of the Andes, with 38 crews at the start and 31 of them registered for W2RC points. A puncture on the final day did not stop Quintero from taking the win. Lategan was given a three-minute penalty for a late time control on day four, which proved decisive in the final standings.
“All glory to God. We did it, all the times of heart break and adversity, and we did it. Nothing but continuous work and dedication got us here, and there’s a million people to thank. Remember if you think you can, bet on yourself to do it,” said Quintero.
“What an incredible week, thank you Argentina. We had everything thrown at us, but Andrew and I kept our heads down and dug the whole way home.”
“Our first win in the ultimate class, first Americans to ever do it, and I may not be young anymore but the youngest to do it. I’ll never forget this day.”
Quintero said the final day came down to the wire. “I could write a book about the last day, but just know that we knew we were over a minute down with 96 miles to go, and I drove in a way I didn’t know possible.”
“Thank you to every single person that has been with me on this journey, I’ve always said it but the trophies aren’t what matters it’s the feeling I get making the people proud that support me is the feeling that I chase, and with confidence, I think I can say we’ve made you proud.”
He thanked his team and his navigator. “Thank you to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC and all of the amazing crew with Overdrive Racing for your dedication and betting on me knowing we could get it done. I’m blessed to be apart of this family and we’re about to write a whole new one.”
“Andrew, thanks for believing in a kid, and thank you for your dedication to learn with me. You’ve done more for me than you could imagine, even though you’re the last guy to take credit for anything. Just know WE did it and I’m forever grateful.”
“This is only the beginning, and I’m looking forward to writing every chapter,” said Quintero.
The W2RC moves on to the Rally of Morocco, from September 28 to October 3, 2026.
