Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Trial By Fire: Toyota to run nearly stock 2010 4Runner in SCORE Baja 1000]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/trial-by-fire-toyota-to-run-nearly-stock-2010-4runner-in-score/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/trial-by-fire-toyota-to-run-nearly-stock-2010-4runner-in-score/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/trial-by-fire-toyota-to-run-nearly-stock-2010-4runner-in-score/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 4Runner for the Baja 1000 -- Click above for high-res image

Toyota is taking a nearly stock 2010 4Runner to the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in about ten days, and the immortal Ivan "Ironman" Stewart will be piloting. Toyota hasn't said what changes to the production truck will be made, but the class rules dictate that runners stay pretty close to factory specs, while allowing more serious mods to the suspension and whatever is needed inside for a safety cage.

In addition to the loss of the rear gate and the swapped-out wheels, we imagine a thorough shock overhaul and a minor engine tune. We'll look for more in-depth info on the car as the race gets closer, but for now we'd like to let Toyota know that they need to add this package -- minus the cage and spare -- to the 4Runner's showroom offerings. You can read about the truck in the presser after the jump, and click above for a high-res image or check out the stock '10 4Runner in our gallery below.


Gallery: 2010 Toyota 4Runner Limited


[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Trial By Fire: Toyota to run nearly stock 2010 4Runner in SCORE Baja 1000

Trial By Fire: Toyota to run nearly stock 2010 4Runner in SCORE Baja 1000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Subaru Baja never managed to win over the buying public, but those that own the little trucklet seem to downright adore Fuji Heavy's platypus, so they'll probably want to listen up, as their baby may be subject to a safety recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has discovered that cracks may develop in the Baja's fuel hose connection on the pressure side of the pump. The condition could result in a fuel leak, which could then lead to a fire. Beginning in September, Subaru is recalling 15,633 MY 2005-2006 Bajas and affected owners can bring their vehicles to any Subaru dealer to get the fuel pump bracket - including all nipples - replaced free of charge. Hit the jump to read over NHTSA's press release.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Subaru recalls 15,000+ 2005-2006 Baja models over fuel pump woes

Subaru recalls 15,000+ 2005-2006 Baja models over fuel pump woes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raptor: Born in Baja -- Click above to watch video

Autoblog went to the premiere of Raptor - Born in Baja, and while the film is on the long side, it's an enjoyable flick. We wrote before that the truck "only" came in third (out of four total trucks in Class 8), but to finish the Baja 1000 at all is an achievement -- especially when the overall attrition rate is close to 50%. Throw in a truck that had been built in three months and hadn't been tested in any other race before and you've got a little adventure on your hands.

The movie provides plenty more. There's never a good time for things to break, but the Raptor R chose a couple of the most abysmal moments to get sick: it was compelling irony to watch the whole race team wearing "Built Ford Tough" t-shirts gathered around a truck that wouldn't start 90 minutes before the race began.

And if it wasn't the Raptor, it was other trucks in the road holding things up. Still, not only did they get it started, but the Raptor R got to the end with all of its panels and, as far as we could see, no dents -- and it came within minutes of taking second place.

But you'll have to watch the movie to truly glimpse the eye of the tiger... and the thrill of the fight. You can view it on Speed TV on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. EST -- and when you do, look for Pickuptrucks.com's Mike Levine, Jalopnik's Ray Wert, and our own Drew Phillips who make cameos during the SEMA coverage. In the meantime, you can check out the trailer after the jump.


Gallery: Raptor - Born in Baja

Continue reading Quick Review: Raptor - Born in Baja is Rocky for pickup trucks

Quick Review: Raptor - Born in Baja is Rocky for pickup trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bajabaja 1000Baja1000etcfordford raptorford raptor f-150 svtford raptor rFordRaptorFordRaptorF-150SvtFordRaptorRlifestylemotorsportsmoviemoviespickupraptortruckvideoFri, 26 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-r-completes-inaugural-run-of-baja-1000/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-r-completes-inaugural-run-of-baja-1000/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-r-completes-inaugural-run-of-baja-1000/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Ford developed the F-150 SVT Raptor R, the Blue Oval wanted to make sure that it could offer the ultimate in off-road performance. We were pretty much sold after experiencing the truck in the Nevada desert, but Ford wanted to prove the Raptor's capabilities to the world. So Ford entered a modified version of the truck into the Baja 1000, confident that the race-ready Raptor could hold its own in the 631-mile competition. The SVT team entered with realistic expectations, hoping to simply finish a race that has a knack for providing unexpected challenges at every turn. Mission: accomplished. The SVT Raptor not only crossed the finish line, but it did so with flying colors by finishing third in the Class 8 division. This is especially impressive considering the Raptor is built for the lower-level Stock Full class in which it couldn't compete because the production version is not yet for sale. For more details you can check out PickupTrucks.com's live blog of the race, and we've also posted a short video of the SVT Raptor in action, along with the press release, after the jump.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a hi-res gallery from the first day of the Baja 500

Autoblog was invited to join HUMMER for last weekend's Baja 500 and, along with Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com, we'd be riding shotgun - or in Mike's case, backseat driving - with Chad and Josh Hall, sons of general off-road racing guru and Baja Hall of Famer Rod Hall. Having no idea what it takes to pilot a massive lump of essentially stock machinery at high speeds over rocks, jumps, ravines and cliffside single-track, the lessons - and the dust, heat, and bouncing - would be constant. Check out the gallery of hi-res images below, and follow the jump to find out about day one: pre-running. And that white helmet in the pic above? Yes, that's us, not The Stig. We eat Stigs.

Gallery: The Baja 500: Pre-running with HUMMER Racing

Continue reading Autoblog does the Baja 500: Round 1, the pre-running

Autoblog does the Baja 500: Round 1, the pre-running originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's obvious that the fast-paced risks Colin McRae endured during his time behind the wheel have set the tone of his retirement. The term "retirement" is a total misnomer however, as McRae has kept himself busy consulting, marketing and developing his own line of rally machines. The R4 is so close to completion that McRae has taken on another project dubbed the Enduro.

Much like the R4, its purpose is to offer privateers an entry-level means of competing in cross-country rallies, approved by the FIA's T1 regulations that cover everything from Dakar to other Baja-style campaigns.

The machine was developed in conjunction with MDV Specialist Engineering and is made up of a space-frame chassis in which a Land Rover-sourced, turbocharged diesel 2.7-liter V6, tuned by Roush, produces 240 HP and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is sent to the all four wheels via a six-speed ZF transmission equipped with a non-variable LSD in both the rear and center.

As with the R4, McRae envisions the Enduro competing in a one-make series, named the Pirelli McRae Enduro Trofeo, which will include three FIA World Cup events and three Baja series campaigns. Pricing is expected to be around 150,000 euros when it's finally offered up next year.

[Source: EVO]

McRae Enduro: Dakar doesn't stand a chance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bajacolin mcraeColinMcraedakarenduror4racerThu, 19 Jul 2007 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Micron to use Baja 1000 to prove chip reliability]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/micron-to-use-baja-1000-to-prove-chip-reliability/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/micron-to-use-baja-1000-to-prove-chip-reliability/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/micron-to-use-baja-1000-to-prove-chip-reliability/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Testing new semiconductor products doesn't always have to be boring - or at least not when a chipmaker is run by an ex-motocrosser. Micron CEO Steve Appleton will be driving a Porsche-powered Baja Tour Car buggy in the upcoming SCORE Baja 1000, and his company's Lexar flash memory and image sensing products will record the entire journey. This is said to be the first complete video recording ever assembled of the race, which underscores the nastiness of this environment.

The point of competing in this treacherous point-to-point race across the desert is simple - Micron wishes to compete in the automotive market, and this represents a high-visibility means to prove that its products are up to the task (the automobile being somewhat more intense than your average PC or digital camera). And, well, we're guessing that it's a lot more fun than babysitting some parts in a test lab.

The Baja 1000 will be run on Nov. 15-18, and Micron will be posting updates at http://baja.micron.com/ (right now, that link just kicks you to their automotive products website).

[Sources: CNN, Micron]

Micron to use Baja 1000 to prove chip reliability originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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