After more than 1,000 kilometers (634 miles) through some of the toughest terrain imaginable, Volkswagen’s newly developed Baja Race Touareg TDI prototype successfully crossed the finish line in Ensenda, Mexico driven by veteran drivers Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero.
For the first time in the 41-year history of the Baja 1000, a vehicle with innovative clean diesel technology successfully competed in the demanding and fiercely competitive high performance trophy truck class in the Baja 1000.“Our aim for our first Baja 1000 was to finish the event with our all-new Touareg TDI – and we managed to do that. That’s why we’re really satisfied,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “It was the toughest Baja I’ve ever driven, the track simply was mercilessly rough,” commented Mark Miller, a multiple Baja winner, after arriving at the finish early Saturday morning (November 22, 2008). “At our very first running we immediately showed that the Touareg and the clean TDI technology are a powerful package.”
The Baja Race Touareg TDI experienced a defective seal on the gearbox during the race that led to the necessary replacement of the entire gearbox causing a major time loss for the team. “Ultimately, a simple seal had an enormous effect with a big loss of time. This defect surprised us because it had never occurred before,” said Don Tebbe, Project Manager for the Arciero Miller Racing (AMR) team which, in close collaboration with Volkswagen Motorsport, is responsible for the development and fielding of the Baja Touareg. “Shortly before the finish we also exchanged the rear differential just to be on the safe side. From tests we knew that this part might possibly be at the limit. Work on an improved version is already in progress,” Tebbe added.
The Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that ran the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class was powered by a 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine that produces 550 horsepower and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque.
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