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The spotlight is on Toyota as they withdraw their participation from Formula-1 racing. They now again catch all attention as the Japanese car maker decides to send off the almost near-stock 4Runner 2010 model to join the Stock mini class through the off road racing of Baja 1000.
The announcement may be a clear display of faith on the capabilities of the 2010 4Runner. The Baja 100 is a 672 mile of racing far from being a joke. It is no grounds for any amateur even with the fiercest guts. The race is considered by all experts as very suicidal as drivers zoom over broken paths night and day.
The 22-time winner of the Baja 1000, Ivan Stewart is confident though that the 5th Generation 4Runner can handle the stress. He has no doubts that the 4Runner can make it and has enough under its hood and body to survive the grueling ordeal of Baja. Hopefully, any defects on the ride will not show midway through the race or it will be a disaster.
Last year, a Ridgeline from Honda won the Stock Mini class besting an H3 and an FJ Cruiser. The Toyota FJ Cruiser failed to finish the race and crashed a few miles from the finish line.
The 2010 4Runner has a V-6 under its hood which is said to be 34 horsepower more aggressive that the older brother. The chassis was also structured to withstand the toughest of off-road conditions. There is press release yet if the attempt at Baja will lead to an upgrade package for the 2010 4Runner like what Ford did to the Raptor with XT and SVT variants.
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