Toyota Hilux Champ race truck in Thailand Super Pickup series – 2.4L diesel, fender flares, rear wing!

You can’t think of a vehicle as diametrically opposed to a race car as the Toyota Hilux Champ. Here is a cheap-as-chips pick-up truck that’s been designed for simplicity and reliability rather than aerodynamics or performance, built on a ladder frame and, in its most powerful guise, producing just 166 PS. About the only thing that’s championship-worthy is its name.

Except the truck is sold in Thailand, so of course there’s a racing version. Built to compete in the Thailand Super Pickup series, this unlikely competition vehicle was developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Thailand – the same outfit that created a Corolla Altis race car for the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

The Champ racer made its debut at the first race of the season at Buriram in May but has recently surfaced on Top Gear Philippines. Fielded in the top Class A category, it looks wild even amongst the other trucks it competes against (such as the Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger), its distinctive utilitarian design outfitted with several upgrades to make it as aerodynamic as possible.

Bolted-on fender flares help hide the increased track width and fatter Lenso alloy wheels and Hankook track tyres, and there’s a small front splitter and even a rear wing that attempt to at least reduce lift. The team also added a front grille scoop and cut the front bumper open to feed more air into the engine and intercooler.

Speaking of which, this particular Champ uses the only engine in its lineup that conforms to the regulations (which require a diesel engine) – the 2.4 litre 2GD-FTV four-cylinder turbodiesel that originally pumps out 150 PS and up to 400 Nm. Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Thailand has not detailed the changes made for race use, but we can assume the truck makes quite a bit more than stock.

Unfortunately, the Champ hasn’t fared well this year, scoring zero points after three rounds (each with two races), trailing the dominant D-Max used by most teams. The Thailand Super Series – which includes Thailand Super Pickup – will return to Buriram for the season conclusion on December 13 to 15.

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