Here's How Toyota Plans To Prove Their 'TRD Pro' Trucks Are Legit
Toyota has heard you moaning that their TRD Pro trucks are overpriced mall crawlers with shiny exhaust pipes. So to prove their rigs are for real, Toyota is entering this 2015 Tundra TRD Pro in the Full Size Stock class of this year's Baja 1000.
Wonder if it will work!
Aside from the number, this Tundra doesn't look too much wilder than some I've seen tailgating concerts or at the mud pits... and that's the idea of "stock class" of course.
This briefing comes straight from Toyota:
Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and Toyota Truck Chief Engineer, Mike Sweers, enter the new 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Series in the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The lightly modified Tundra Pro Series will compete in the Full Size Stock Class this November 12-16 in Ensenada, Mexico.
"My job is to ensure that the Tundra exceeds the expectations and demands of every single one of its owners," said Mike Sweers, Chief Engineer of Toyota Pickup Trucks. "With over 1,000 miles of harsh terrain, The Baja 1000 is the ultimate proving grounds for research and development that helps us to continuously improve our trucks."
For 35 years and counting, TRD has been an integral component in Toyota's success in the U.S., not only in numerous motorsports racing victories, but in the area of high quality performance parts and accessories. When TRD began developing the 2015 TRD Pro Series, they applied their many years of successful racing experience to make sure it was worthy of wearing the TRD Pro name.
"Competing in the Full Size Stock class allows our team to test the Tundra TRD Pro as close to stock as possible and showcase its strength and durability in the Mexican desert's treacherous terrain," said Andrew Franceschini, Toyota truck marketing and communications national manager. "Our goal is to finish this grueling race and to showcase just how awesome the new TRD Pro Series trucks are."
This Tundra Pro Series, which Toyota calls "lightly modified," will compete in the Full Size Stock Class this November 12-16 in Ensenada, Mexico.
TRD Pro Desert Race Team
Team Coach: Ivan "Ironman" Stewart – Legendary Toyota Off-Road Racer, Off-Road Hall of Fame Member / 22-time SCORE Baja 500 and 1000 Champion / San Diego, CA
Navigator: Mike Sweers – Chief Engineer of Toyota Trucks / Ann Arbor, MI
Drivers: Ted Moncure – Toyota Racing Development Design Engineer / SCORE Baja 1000 and 500 class-champion / Torrance, CA
Andy Bell – Toyota Athlete / SCORE Baja 500 Champion / Guinness World Record holder Long Beach, CA
Jamie Bestwick – Toyota Athlete / Professional BMX Vert Rider / 9-time winner X-Games Winner / Port Matilda, PA
Ryan Millen – SCORE Baja 1000 and 500 Competitor / Son of off-road legend Rod Millen / San Juan Capistrano, CA
Toyota's 2015 Baja Truck Parts List:
2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Crewmax 4x4 5.7L V8
Item
Manufacturer
Details
Front Shocks
Bilstein
TRD tuned-Blackhawk Bypass
Rear Shocks
Bilstein
TRD tuned-Blackhawk Bypass
Front Springs
Eibach
Coil
Rear Springs
Deaver
Leaf
Tires
BFGoodrich®
37" Baja T/A KR
Wheels
TRD
17" Forged
Brakes
Toyota
TRD Performance Brake Pads
Tube Roll Cage
Herbst/Smith Fabrication
2" .120 Wall Chromoly
Oil Accumulator
Accu-Sump
3 Qt. Capacity
Fuel Cell
Fuel Safe
Custom
Batteries
Optima
Blue Top
Race Seats (Qty. 3)
Mastercraft
3G
Seat Harnesses & Window Nets
Mastercraft
N/A
Front Lights
Hella
HID
A Pillar Lights
Hella
LED Rally 4000
Cold Air Intake
TRD
Custom Cold Air
Exhaust
TRD
Custom Cat-back Exhaust
Control Arms
Toyota
OEM component
Uprights
Toyota
OEM component
Tie Rods
Toyota
OEM component
Wheel Bearings
Toyota
OEM component
Hubs
Toyota
OEM component
Driver GPS/Nav
Lowrance
6"
Navigator GPS/Nav
Lowrance
10"
Race Radio
Kenwood
TK-790H 110 Watts
Intercom
PCI
Comlink 10 Elite
The top image in large size, for your wallpapering pleasure:
Images: Toyota