— Update 12 August 2024 – original post below —
Team Würth Power 135 TRD Hilux competes this week in the 2024 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) in Thailand. This is the third challenge for the team, which started competing in 2022 for the first time.
Back in 2023, the Toyota Hilux, piloted by Mr. Masanao Nitta and his co-driver, Mr. Satonaka, and clad in a unique natural fibre composite bodywork, crossed the finish line in Laos in 10th place overall. This even meant that they occupied the impressive 9th rank of the T1D class at the end of the race.
The natural fibre bodywork of both cars hold up incredibly well and manage to withstand the challenging and rough conditions during the tough racing where human and machine are pushed to the limits. This year, the team has decided to renew its vehicle, while still being the unique team to have a designed flax-based bodywork.
Before the race, driver & Tras CEO Masanao Nitta commented: “This year a new charcoal colored natural fibre Bcomp body will implement the new charcoal-colored fibers. Based on last year’s positive experience we have confidence in the natural fibers and have applied a new charcoal colored version this year.The AXCR 2024 will again be a long-distance rally with extreme road conditions, so car maintenance and care by the TRD crew will be key. The team will work together to reach this goal with Würth Power 135 TRD Hilux.”
— original post —
The 2024 edition of the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) is just around the corner and we are happy to be involved again with our dear friends from Tras Ltd. Team Würth Power 135 TRD Hilux is competing again after their successful participation last year which saw them as the sole team running a natural fibre composite bodywork. This engagement earned the team a Special Award which rewards the effort to reduce CO2 emissions in the vehicle production process, while keeping the performance and joy of motorsports in mind.
The 29th Asia Cross Country Rally will be held in Thailand between 11 – 17 August 2024. The team will be led by Masanao Nitta and his co-driver, Kenta Satonaka. Mr. Nitta is the founder and CEO of the Japanese Advanced Composite Materials Specialist company Tras Ltd. and is an experienced driver. His skill is sought after in the automotive industry and in the MotoGP. For the AXCR, Tras developed a unique natural fibre composite body for the Toyota Hilux.
Flax fibre composites provided by Bcomp
Bcomp Ltd. supports the WÜRTH POWER 135 TRD HILUX team as a materials sponsor. The team already successfully completed the AXCR rally in the T1D class in 2022 with a Special Award for the use of sustainable natural fibre materials. Even more, our team proved its competitiveness with a top-ten ranking last year. The parts with flax-based ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ by Bcomp Ltd. have a CO2 reduction from cradle to gate up to 85% compared to parts made purely of carbon.
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www.tras.co.jp/en/company
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