Robby Gordon tests his Toyo Tires equipped Hummer H3 racer in the California desert during preparation for the upcoming 2007 Dakar. (PRNewsFoto/Toyo Tires,Jay Jones)

Gordon and Grider drove into the lead during the first 725-miles of the legendary Baja race in their Chevrolet Silverado Trophy Truck running on 37X13.50R17 Toyo Open Country M/T(TM) tires. During the remaining distance, co-driver Andy McMillin and his navigator, Gregg Till, brought the truck across the finish line in First Place in La Paz, Mexico. This year, the event was packed with competitors, creating more dust and traffic making passing hazardous.

Gordon returns to the Dakar(TM) with his revised Hummer H3 race truck along with five support vehicles. Learning from the experience of competing in the 2006 Dakar(TM), the team made several changes to the vehicle, including a change from a five-speed Albins/Weddel transaxle to a sequential six-speed unit; a more aerodynamic body, wind-tunnel tested with the assistance of General Motors, a reworked radiator coolant system and a new engine package with increased horsepower and torque. The Hummer will share the same size 37X13.50R17 Toyo Open Country M/T(TM) tires as those used on Gordon's Baja Winning Trophy Truck. According to Gordon, "During both the Baja 1000 and at Dakar earlier in the year, my Toyo Open Country M/T tires were trouble free and delivered outstanding performance. I look forward to a great run on these tires at Dakar." This year, the team has also logged considerably more test miles on the revised Hummer H3, including using it to pre-run a majority of the Baja 1000 course.

To learn more about the grueling 16-day Dakar(TM) race running from Lisbon, Portugal to Dakar on the coast of Western Africa, log on to www.dakar.com. For more information about Robby Gordon and Toyo Tires(R), log on to toyo.com. 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.

Source: Toyo Tires