Team Dakar USA competed in the Dakar™ for the first time in January 2006, drawing attention due to their radically different vehicle which was capable of high speeds across the Sahara desert. Unfortunately, the team eventually dropped out of the race with a damaged radiator after impacting a mound of camel grass.

Learning from past experiences and with the help of major supporters such as General Motors and Toyo Tires®, the team has made significant changes to the race truck. Extensive wind tunnel testing has resulted in major changes to the Menards Engineering carbon fiber body, including a shallow windshield angle and a sloped rear body section resulting in less drag. An onboard tire inflation/deflation system makes it much easier to adjust the air pressures of the 37X14.50R15 Toyo Open Country M/T™ tires while on-the-fly. Greater overall speed also comes from a GM Racing LS7 (427-cubic inch V8) attached to a six-speed Albins sequential transaxle. (During the last Dakar™, Gordon used a manual shift Albins five-speed transaxle.) Team Dakar USA also improved the cooling system by mounting two Ron Davis radiators in series, making the system less prone to impact damage.

During the Dumont Dunes event, dubbed The Robby Gordon Dakar Experience, journalists were provided demonstration rides in the H3 racer and a giant Mercedes support truck. One of the team’s Hummer H1’s was also on display, also shod with Open Country M/T™ tires from Toyo Tires®. The Moroccan theme event included a Moroccan-style tent and cuisine, along with camels to help provide the overall experience. In addition to U.S. television and print media, members of the foreign press attended from countries as far away as Great Britain, Spain, Brazil, Germany, China and Honduras.

To learn more about Team Dakar USA, log on to robbygordon.com. The learn more about the Open Country M/T™ tires which survived last year without a flat, log on to toyo.com. Also log on to hummer.com for more information about the vehicle.

During 2006, Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of high performance and original equipment replacement tires for passenger car, light truck, commercial truck, bus, off-road and construction applications.