Introducing the Toyota Champ
Please meet the Toyota Champ, one of the wildest concepts for a racer we have seen.
Set to debut this weekend in the Super PickUp class in the Thailand Super Series from the Chang International Circuit, it is sure to be a head turner, with unique styling that makes it more at home on a construction site than a racetrack.
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Unlike the tightly controlled V8 SuperUtes in Australia, the Super PickUp category sees a proper arms race carried out between the different brands, who pump big boost into their diesel-powered racers.
With the country being a major manufacturing hub for multiple marques, the domestic Thailand Super Series attracts significant factory backing across a range of categories.
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing local operation will be represented by the Champ in Super PickUp, a pair of Supra GT4s, a pair of Lexus RC-Fs in Supercar GTM Am and Pro Am, a pair of Supras in the GTC category, as well as a Corolla Altis Turbo e-fuel and a Yaris Turbo e-fuel in the Super Compact class.
Ford and Isuzu are both strongly represented in the Super PickUps alongside Mitsubishi, Chevrolet and Mazda, with the category split over two fields.
Other categories on the series’ roster include Super Eco for pocket rocket cars ranging from the Suzuki Swift to Toyota Yaris and the Honda Brio, Supercar GTM/GT4, Supercar GTC and Supercar GT3, with a spread of familiar machinery.
While the bulk of the Thailand Super Series events are contested at the Chang International Circuit, Thailand’s home of MotoGP racing, from July 3-7 the incredible seaside Bangsaen Grand Prix comes alive once more, while the GT3, GTM, GT4 and GTC classes are scheduled to have a pair of events at the Sepang International Circuit in August and September.
There will also be an Australian influence in proceedings, with Brad Jones Racing enduro co-driver Jay Robotham enlisted to drive a new generation Ford Ranger in the Super PickUp class, below, and a MARC Mustang in the GTM category for the Lanotec-backed Corliss Race Engineering squad. Ex-pat-Kiwi-team principal Craig Corliss is set to co-drive the Mustang.
Elsewhere, there is an antipodean flavour in race control, with James Taylor and Craig Baird enlisted as senior officials.
The Thailand Super Series is streamed live in Australia via its YouTube and Facebook channels.
Timing details are available in our weekend TV Guide.
Mark Walker (administrator)
A vastly experienced Motorsport Public Relations operator, journalist, commentator and photographer, Mark brings his unique angle to The Race Torque in both words and imagery. As well as serving as our key photographer on the ground at major events around Australia (and overseas), Walker will often chime in with his unique and pin-point sharp viewpoint of the racing world via the keyboard too.
