On May 31st, The Al-Futtaim Toyota Motorsport Academy reached millions of motor-heads across the Middle East and concluded with a thrilling grand finale streamed on Shahid, the top Arabic streaming platform.
Spoiler alert: The show ended with Dubai-based sales professional Branden Hancock, emerging with a victorious dub against Nour Dawood (second place), Aksana Yordanov (third place), and Nicolas Gondard (fourth place), securing the title of the Al-Futtaim Toyota Gazoo Racing Off-Road Ambassador for 2023.
The stakes were high on the region’s first home-grown motorsports reality TV show, with the grand prize being the keys to a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport for an entire year.
Along with this comes the opportunity to engage with the Al-Futtaim Toyota Gazoo Racing Team at the 2023 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) Final in Morocco this October. A position that any car-rally racer like winner Hancock would capitalize on.
Branden will also be taking part in any of Al-Futtaim Toyota’s exclusive automotive activities and launches throughout the year.
Esquire sits down with the Winner
Going into this competition, how confident were you in your abilities? Did you think you’d be taking home the win?
Branden: I was 50/50 from the beginning and throughout the competition, having never competed in something of this magnitude before. I did not know what to expect. My passion for Toyota drove me to perform at my highest level.
What was most unexpected about this journey?
Branden: Without a doubt, taking home the win. The media challenges were also unexpected and certainly kept me on my toes and prepared me for what’s to come next.
With this win comes the keys to a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport for a year. Where do you think you’ll go with it first?
Branden: The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport is an exceptional vehicle, and I’ll be headed straight to the desert to put all its features to the test.
What role do you think the car itself played in you securing the win?
Branden: The Toyota Land Cruiser played a huge role in helping me secure the win as I don’t believe that any other brand of vehicle would have performed so well or been as responsive in the challenges I faced.
The competition challenges included a lot more than just driving, there were also some gruelling fitness challenges and time restraints that tested you. What do you think was the hardest part about the whole competition?
Changing a tyre in the desert in under five minutes was by far the toughest challenge I’ve ever faced. Collecting the flags whilst trying to navigate a map and drive simultaneously was also extremely challenging.
Did it surprise you how difficult the physical aspect of the race was?
Branden: Yes – it was very surprising. I have always considered myself a fit individual. However these challenges tested my physical abilities on a whole different level.
You kept a positive attitude throughout the competition, always keeping a smile on your face. Where do you get your relentless positive energy from? Is that something you learnt from someone?
Branden: I have always been an extremely positive individual. Coming from a sales background and dealing with people, I’ve learnt that people gravitate towards positivity.
As a Toyota ambassador, you’ll be participating with the Al-Futtaim Toyota Gazoo Racing Team at the 2023 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) Final in Morocco this October.
Branden: I am looking forward to going to Morocco and representing the Al-Futtaim Toyota Gazoo Racing Team. I have no doubt in my mind that the Toyota team will be bringing home the win and I am honoured to be right there to support them every step of the way. I am also preparing some fun activities/competitions for the local supporters to win some prizes.
You obviously came into this competition as a novice. Do you think we’ll see you competing in another race anytime soon? With Toyota or otherwise?
Branden: You never know what the future holds, but one thing is certain, I am extremely loyal to Al-Futtaim Toyota.
Watch Branden’s gruelling win here.