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