A Rally-Spec Toyota RAV4?

Toyota seems to be set on returning to the world of automotive racing: after unveiling a Yaris that was ready to race in the WRC and winning the Baja 1000 with a mostly-stock Tundra TRD Pro, the Japanese manufacturer decided to associate themselves with the Millen family to race in Rally America.

The Millens have a long tradition of racing with Toyota: Rod Millen still holds the record for the fastest climb at Pikes Peak (before it was paved) with his single-seater racecar that vaguely resembles a Tacoma, and his son Ryan was behind the wheel of the Baja-winning Tundra TRD Pro.

To race in Rally America's 2WD stock class for the 2015 season, Ryan Millen chose an unusual vehicle; his rally-prepped RAV4 will line up next to a bunch of sport cars on the starting grid.

To give the crossover a fighting chance, it was lightened; mechanics removed around 225 kg of weight from it. They then added a rollcage and a TEIN suspension. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder is stock, which means it sends its 175 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

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