Toyota unleashes V6 HiLux Heroes

10 April 2008 · Staff

Toyota Australia has teamed up with some of Australia’s top professional drivers to form the V6 HiLux Heroes stunt driving team.

The V6 HiLux Heroes will pilot slightly modified versions of the 4×2 V6 Toyota HiLux, Australia’s best-selling ute.

The team will entertain crowds at major shows and trade days with a range of stunts, from formation driving to reverse flick turns and high-speed crossovers – where the four show vehicles drive towards each other in an X formation.

The highlights of the performance include a stunt in which the driver balances the vehicle on its two driver-side wheels, and another featuring a 12-metre ramp-to-ramp jump.

Other stunts will include drifting, nose-to-nose driving and vehicle jumping displays.

Between them, the V6 HiLux Heroes team has several decades of experience in stunt and rally driving, and has performed in front of more than 45 million Australians.

V6 HiLux Heroes was conceived by well-known Toyota personality Rick Bates and owners of the growing Drift Australia series Wayne Boatwright and Scott Anderson.

Director Rick Bates said the team is excited about the new alliance with Toyota.

“Not only is the Toyota HiLux considered virtually unbreakable, it’s also great fun to drive,” he said.

“Having Toyota’s support has given us the opportunity to take the show to the masses, while also nurturing some of the newer driving talent coming through the ranks.”

Toyota’s motorsport manager Todd Connolly said the new V6 HiLux Heroes partnership will help further build the Toyota brand.

“HiLux is Australia’s most popular ute, and one of the most recognisable workhorses in the country.

“The V6 HiLux Heroes will demonstrate the rugged durability and power of V6 HiLux and show HiLux performing stunts that are not traditionally associated with this vehicle.

“This partnership will bring the HiLux name to all points of the compass in Australia – from regional shows to the major city fairs.

“It will display the vehicle in a way that is more extreme than its normal day-to-day use.

“Using HiLux was a no-brainer: the vehicles are tough, powerful and can withstand the rigours of rough treatment. It’s a great way to show off their performance credentials.

“Between Rick, Wayne and Scott, the team is a completely professional outfit, backed up by drivers that have been doing this sort of thing for decades,” he said.