Toyota Off-Road Festival 2024: A Great Meeting of Off-Road Driving Enthusiasts
The ninth edition of the Toyota Off-Road Festival has already passed, once again attracting Toyota off-road enthusiasts from across the country, as well as guests from abroad. This year's event took place in the picturesque Masurian Lake District, near the village of Bogusze, near Grajewo, at a campsite by Lake Toczyłowo.
Record Attendance and Diversity
This year, the festival attracted 114 crews, with the majority representing various generations of Land Cruisers. Crews from Poland and guests from Hungary arrived at the Leśna Polana campsite in Bogusze, highlighting the international nature of the event. Land Cruisers dominated the event, particularly the J15 (17 vehicles) and J12 (15 vehicles), as well as Hiluxes (11 vehicles). Less common models, such as the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser, were also on display at the rally base.
In total, including exhibitors' vehicles, the Hilux was the largest vehicle in the event, with 20. The iconic Land Cruisers J7 and J10 were also present, with 10 vehicles each. Interestingly, 16 vehicles from other brands also participated, demonstrating the festival's openness to diversity.
Camping among the Trees
The rally's base has been changing locations for the past four years. After five editions at the Autodrom4x4 near Poznań, club members have already visited Lower Silesia, Pomerania, the Low Beskids, and this year, Masuria. The hosts of the Leśna Polana campsite in Bogusze have prepared ideal conditions for camping.
Located on Lake Toczyłowo, the venue offers a beach, a bar, a children's playground, camping cabins, and plenty of space for camping amidst trees that provide pleasant shade on sunny days. Participants could enjoy the beauty of nature and spend time in comfortable surroundings.
Attractions and Activities
The Toyota Off-Road Festival wasn't just a static vehicle exhibition, but above all, an active off-road experience. Participants had the opportunity to take part in guided tours or independently, using a classic roadbook.
In total, there were nearly 400 km of off-road trails to cover, providing plenty of thrills and challenges. This year's guides were Wojtek Ziemak (BezAsfaltu4x4), Jacek Iskra (Rayo Offroad Centrum), and Mariusz Pietrzycki (Podróże4x4).
For those who wanted to test their skills and the capabilities of their vehicles, the organizers prepared a special off-road trail. Despite the dry weather, the route was demanding, and in one spot, the use of a winch was necessary. Crews earned stamps, adding a competitive element familiar from classic cross-country rallies.
Expo Zone and Fun for the Youngest
One of the key elements of the festival was the extensive expo zone, which generated considerable interest among attendees. Key companies from the Polish off-road scene, such as Steeler4x4, Rayo Offroad Centrum, BezAsfaltu4x4, MorE4x4, Offlander, and MudKiller, presented their booths. The show vehicles, primarily Hilux expedition vehicles, were a delight and ready to be immediately launched on a journey around the world.
The festival also catered to the youngest participants, organizing various activities for them, such as face painting, culinary workshops, a scavenger hunt, and a late-night movie with popcorn. The Mobile Bicycle Service organized additional workshops on bicycle inner tube repair. Adults enjoyed meetings with Wojtek Ziemak, who talked about traveling in an off-road vehicle, and Michał Emsi Horodeński, who reminisced about his participation in the 2024 Dakar Classic Rally. Evening bonfires were the perfect ending to each day of the rally.
The Future of the Festival
As the years pass, the Toyota Off-Road Festival continues to grow and evolve. Next year will see the tenth anniversary edition of the festival, which promises to be exceptional. The date has already been announced – June 12-15, 2025, and details regarding the location will be announced soon.
We invite you to participate and follow the preparations for this unique event. The Toyota Off-Road Festival is a place where passion meets adventure, and technology meets nature. See you on the road!
Check out two video reports from TORF2024 prepared by our ambassadors Maciek from SlowTraveler and Damian from Lets Get Lost
