Seth Quintero Claims First World Rally-Raid Championship

American driver Seth Quintero captured his first victory in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship’s premier Ultimate category at the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF, the third round of the 2026 championship season. Piloting his Toyota Hilux equipped with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KDR3 tires, Quintero delivered a commanding performance across Argentina’s challenging terrain to secure the overall win ahead of Toyota teammate Henk Lategan.

The 13th edition of the Desafío Ruta 40 featured five demanding stages between San Juan and San Rafael, covering a total of 1,522 kilometers of timed competition. Competitors faced a relentless mix of rocky trails, deep sand, and rugged Andean landscapes, testing both driver skill and vehicle durability throughout the event.

Quintero’s victory marks a significant milestone in his rally-raid career, earning the young American his first World Rally-Raid Championship win in the sport’s top category.

Behind the winner, the battle for the remaining podium positions provided plenty of drama. South Africa’s Henk Lategan and Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah entered the final stage separated by just seven seconds, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. However, a late puncture for Al-Attiyah during the closing kilometers of the special stage shifted the outcome, allowing Lategan to secure second place and complete a dominant one-two finish for Toyota.

Al-Attiyah ultimately finished third, while teammate Sébastien Loeb brought the second Dacia Sandrider home in fourth place, giving BFGoodrich-equipped competitors four of the top four finishing positions.

BFGoodrich’s success extended beyond the Ultimate category as well, with Stéphane Peterhansel guiding the Defender Rally to victory in the Stock category, further demonstrating the performance and durability of BFGoodrich tires across the diverse challenges of rally-raid competition.