A wild off-road racing truck which uses tyre technology developed for extreme Australian conditions will be one of the stars of the Brisbane Truck Show this week (May 16–19).
Brad Gallard’s Finke Desert Race-winning Trophy Truck will make its public debut in 2013 competition specification, featuring stronger, more aerodynamic bodywork and new Toyo livery.
Gallard believes the updated truck has what it takes to repeat his 2012 Finke victory in the face of stiff competition from more nimble off-road buggies.
“The buggies can do the tight, technical hairpins and switchbacks of the qualifying circuit a lot faster than our truck, but they can’t keep the pace up on the knee-high undulations outside Alice Springs, so that’s where we start reeling them in,” said the South Australian off-road champ.
Visitors to the Toyo stand can enter a competition to win a ‘hot lap’ in Gallard’s Trophy Truck, which is on display at the Brisbane Truck Show to highlight the toughness and durability of the company’s truck tyres.
The Open Country M/T-R race spec tyre features a modified version of the ultra-tough compound used for Toyo’s M315 and M506 on/off-road truck tyre models.
The compound is designed specifically for Australian conditions, including severe off-road applications, and was tested during product development by a logging company at Gympie in Queensland. The compound used in the M315 and M506 resists tread damage such as cuts and chips, which can reduce grip and drive.
“Our Truck and Bus Radial customers benefit from the same toughness and durability that Brad Gallard depends on when racing in the desert,” said Matthew Grovenor, general manager of tyres for Toyo Tyre & Rubber Australia Limited.
“Toyo Tires’ philosophy is to use the Japanese tradition of precision in design and manufacturing to deliver optimum levels of product performance at the lowest cost.
“Tyres are one of the few consumable components in heavy vehicles that have a multiplication effect in potential fuel cost savings.
“The bigger the transport fleet, the greater the potential product performance and cost-per-kilometre gains,” he said.
“Toyo Tires’ fuel-saving ZeroSys product range is specifically aimed at gleaning very high levels of fuel efficiency gains.”
On display will be a number of Toyo’s hero truck and bus tyres for the commercial market, including the M628A all-position tyre launched in 2012. The M628A features a scrub-resistant compound and deeper tread for long life in urban and short haul applications.
Its flat crown radius evens contact pressure for improved handling and tyre life while minimised tread flex reduces shoulder wear.
Truck show visitors who purchase any 10 Toyo truck or bus tyres will receive a free Warn Starter Recovery Kit worth $130.
The off-road driving kit features an 8,000-kilogram snatch strap, leather winching gloves, two 3.5-tonne bow shackles and a heavy-duty recovery bag.
Toyo Tyre & Rubber Australia will display at Stand 20 in the Great Hall on the foyer level of the Brisbane Exhibition Centre.
