Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body wasted no time getting the luxury LC300 platform into race car spec, and specced up two 2023 production GR Sport models for the world’s most notorious off-road race. Despite their class mandating limited modifications from the factory spec, the team secured a resounding eleventh-straight victory in the Production Car Class.
Amazingly, the class encourages teams to be as close to the production vehicle as possible and limits extensive modifications to the body, chassis or suspension meaning that, underneath the skin, the LC300s are relatively close to their road-going lookalikes.
Inside, the cars have had some weight stripped out and some extra safety equipment included like a roll cage and fixed back seats, while certain driveline components like the differentials are slightly modified to make them easier to remove and service whilst in competition.
Two of the most notable upgrades are to the suspension where aftermarket, rally-spec suspension from BOC is permitted, while the factory wheels and tyres have been swapped out for stronger and lighter aftermarket magnesium forged wheels from Enkei, and Open Country M/T-R tyres - an outwardly identical tyre to the commercially available Open Country M/T that’s been subtly tweaked for off-road racing, and is popular in categories all over the world.
