The suspension specialists at ThyssenKrupp BILSTEIN and the team from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) triumphed at one of the world’s most prestigious off-road races, taking first place in the Full Size Stock Class at the 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
The victorious 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Series was modified specifically to compete in the Baja 1000, a race renowned for showing no mercy to man or machine. When Toyota’s race team set out to push the limits of the new Tundra in the harsh terrain of the Mexican desert, they understood that winning the race would require careful consideration of component partners.
According to Zack Zwillinger, senior design engineer at TRD USA, “We pre-ran the 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 with TRD Pro vehicles equipped with production TRD tuned BILSTEIN shocks. The TRD PRO Tundra prepped for the race won the Stock Class equipped with TRD-tuned BILSTEIN racing shocks.”
The TRD Pro Desert Race Team was coached by legendary off-road racer Ivan “Ironman” Stewart, and included drivers Andy Bell, Jamie Bestwick, Ryan Millen and Ted Moncure.
Doug Cimins with BILSTEIN’s Off-Road and Motorsports department said, “We have a lot of respect for what Baja racing represents. Our products, backed by more than 40 years of off-road victories, are designed to deliver the most ideal ride when you need control, durability and performance. Congratulations to the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Desert Race Team for an amazing win!”
“Not only did the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro win the Baja 1000 Full Size Stock Class, the Tundra and BILSTIEN shocks were in such remarkable condition they drove the truck home from La Paz, Mexico to California. This is an incredible feat, considering most teams are just satisfied with finishing the event. Toyota and BILSTEIN engineering did a remarkable job designing and testing the parts used on this vehicle. We are proud of our strong partnership with Toyota, both on their production and race vehicles,” said Regis Finn, BILSTEIN marketing manager.
Those looking for a taste of Toyota’s Baja-tested performance can find it in the new 2015 TRD Pro Series Tundra, which comes equipped with BILSTEIN / TRD 60mm Reservoir Shocks with new ZoneControl technology.
BILSTEIN’s racing history in the United States dates back to the beginning of off-road racing in the 1960’s, when they revolutionized the racing world with the technology of their monotube shock absorbers. They continue their legacy of cutting edge development, with BILSTEIN’s brand new 9200 Series 3.0 (70mm). The Baja-winning 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Series was equipped with the new 9200 Series bypass in the front and the Black Hawk Radial Bypass shocks in the rear.
About BILSTEIN
Founded in 1954, BILSTEIN is the world’s leading manufacturer of monotube gas pressure shock absorbers. With their main headquarters located in Germany, BILSTEIN is an original equipment supplier to BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota and many others. Today, BILSTEIN Aftermarket and Motorsports has grown to nearly 75 employees located in two locations around the United States and distributes more than 3,000 part numbers into the U.S. aftermarket. BILSTEIN operates within ThyssenKrupp Component Technologies Group. For more information, please visit www.bilsteinUS.com.