Toyota Unveils Baja 1000 Chase Trucks at SEMA

TORRANCE, CA -- October 27, 2014: The 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Desert Race Truck will not be alone when it heads down to Ensenada, Mexico to compete in the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Three specially prepared chase trucks built by renowned off-road fabricator N-Fab will support the Tundra race truck in attacking the notoriously difficult desert race. The Baja 1000 is known for its penchant for breaking down both man and machine, making support vehicles all the more crucial for survival let alone victory.

“With over 1,000 miles of harsh terrain, the Baja 1000 is the ultimate proving grounds for research and development; it helps us to continuously improve our trucks,” said Mike Sweers, chief engineer of Toyota Pickup Trucks. “This race will not only test the race truck, but the three chase trucks as well. All of the trucks have to be up to the task in order to finish this tough race.”

Winning off-road races is not something new for Toyota or Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Toyota’s off-road racing heritage is one of utter dominance over the competition — 303 off-road wins, 27 manufacturer’s championships and 28 off-road driver's championships. At the helm of his famously indestructible Toyota trophy trucks, Ivan “Ironman” Stewart captured 11 Baja 500 and two Baja 1000 wins. He’ll serve as the race team’s coach and mentor as they head down to connect past and present in Baja.

The build shop at N-Fab equipped all three trucks to traverse Baja’s diverse terrain, carry gear that may be needed in a pinch and facilitate constant radio communication. “It’s a big deal for N-Fab and a big deal for TRD,” said N-Fab CEO Thomas Fichter. “We’re excited to go out there and prove that Toyota and the TRD Pro line of components are worthy for the off-road market.”

The TRD chase trucks can be seen alongside the Toyota Tundra Trophy Truck that Ironman Stewart piloted to numerous victories from November 4-7 at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The Toyota display booth (#24700) is located in the Central Hall.

TRD Chase Trucks Specs 2015 TRD 4Runner

•           Small cooler w/holder
•           Rigid E-series light bars: 40” (roof), 30” (bumper), 10” amber (rear-facing), 10” clear
            (rear-facing)
•           Lowrance 5” GPS
•           RCI chase radio w/antenna
•           Smittybilt 27046b Beaver step
•           Smittybilt 97495 XRC 9.5k winch, Gen 2
•           Smittybilt 40504 Defender rack
•           Smittybilt 2784 Overlander tint
•           N-Fab T104RKR4 rockrail with detachable FJ step
•           N-Fab rear tailgate set
•           Headrest TRD logo
•           Superior Dash carbon-fiber interior kit
•           Powder coating (charcoal grey)
•           ARB shade tent

2015 TRD Tacoma
•           Coleman large metal cooler
•           Rigid E-series 40” light bar mounted with N-Fab mount
•           Rigid E-series 30” (bumper)
•           Lowrance 7” GPS
•           Radio chase RCI radios w/antenna
•           Smittybilt 2747 power air tank
•           Jegs Pro alum. jack, 2.0 ton w/skid
•           Smittybilt 97495 XRC 9.5k winch, Gen 2
•           Smittybilt 2809 aluminum fairlead with misc. 8g/10g connectors
•           Atlas sling
•           N-Fab T054BR custom bed bar
•           N-Fab T0530LD light bar w/hoop
•           N-Fab T054RKRCC rockrail w/FJ detachable step
•           N-Fab T0540LR roof mount
•           Full leather two tone interior w/TRD logo in headrest
•           Superior Dash carbon-fiber interior kit
•           Powder coating (dark charcoal grey)

2015 TRD Tundra
•           Coleman large metal cooler
•           Rigid E-series light bars: 40” (roof), 30” (bumper), 10” amber (rear-facing), 10” clear (rear-facing)
•           Lowrance 7” GPS
•           RCI chase radio w/antenna
•           Toff spray-on liner
•           Smittybilt 2747 power air tank
•           Smittybilt 27046b Beaver step
•           Hunsaker 11 gallon fuel jug
•           Jegs Pro alum. jack, 2.0 ton w/skid
•           Smittybilt 9797412 XRC 12k winch, Gen 2
•           Smittybilt 2761 security storage
•           Atlas sling custom tie-downs and straps
•           Smittybilt 40504 Defender rack, cut and reconfigured
•           N-Fab custom bed cage w/tire carriers
•           N-Fab T0730LD front light bar w/hoop
•           N-Fab T074RKRQC rock rail w/FJ detachable step
•           Headrest TRD logo
•           Superior Dash carbon-fiber interior kit
•           Powder coating (dark charcoal grey)