Corona, CA – Total Chaos Fabrication will take on the famed Mint 400 off-road race in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 4th. The team will field a Toyota Tacoma, known as “Lil T,” driven by Total Chaos co-founder, Nicole Pitell-Vaughan.
Known as the “The Great American Off-Road Race,” the Mint has a long and storied history in the world of racing on dirt, launching originally in 1967. After a 20-year pause, the return of the Mint has not only been welcomed back, but has been growing rapidly in both size and scope, with Las Vegas as its backdrop. However, at the heart of the festivities is a brutal racecourse designed to test both vehicle and driver.
For over eighteen years, Total Chaos Fabrication has been affiliated with the sport of off-road, building premium quality Toyota aftermarket suspension equipment and accessories. TC equipment is designed to enhance ride quality and reinforces weak links in the OE platforms. And while the bolt-on equipment is used for recreation and vehicle-based adventures, the same bolt on parts are used in racing applications. Total Chaos suspension equipped race vehicles dominated this year’s Dakar, sweeping the podium in the newly established T1.S class. In 2016 TC shipped a street legal 4 door Tacoma to Africa where Nicole drove her way to the podium in the grueling 9-day all female Rallye Aicha de Gazelles event, competing with the bolt on 2” Race Series long travel kit.
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The race truck the team is entering into the 2017 Mint 400 is a Toyota Tacoma 2WD, equipped with custom suspension utilizing the same uniballs, materials, and construction techniques that are used in TC production suspension systems. Standing apart from the 7200 class competition, “Lil T” is not a tube chassis race truck. Under the Tacoma badging, is a production chassis retaining many original parts including the stock frame, cab, doors, and headlights. The custom built suspension bolts to the factory control arm mounting locations and utilizes modified OE Toyota components to complete the build. TC performed a 4.0L 6cyl motor swap, modified a 2007+ Tundra steering rack to fit the narrower vehicle and custom fabricated 86-95 Toyota 4WD lift spindles that utilize Land Cruiser hubs.
#7211 will be driven by Nicole Pitell-Vaughan, the co-owner and Director of Operations at Total Chaos Fabrication, Inc. Nicknamed “CHAOS,” Nicole is hard charging and focused on every detail within the business. Beyond the desk, she lives her life in the dirt, having honed her skills at a young age racing BMX and is frequently found riding her dirt bike. She has competed in off-road (two and four wheel) for 18 years and is known for her aggressive style and love of air. But expect to see a refined and laser-focused driver as she will pilot the entire distance during Saturday’s unlimited race.
To learn more about Total Chaos Fabrication and TC components, log on to www.chaosfab.com.