Nov 27, 2012– Caringbah, Australia (AutoReleased) – Lexus LX 570 Conquers Class In Baja Endurance Test. A Lexus LX 570 has finished first in class at the legendary Baja 1000 endurance race in Mexico. Renowned test driver Joe Bacal took the wheel and drove the entire the course single-handedly in a performance reminiscent of Baja and off-road racing legend Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart.
This year’s Baja 1000 took in the entire Baja California peninsula, from Ensenada to La Paz, for a distance of 1805km.
Bacal completed the event in 38 hours and 22 minutes at an average speed of 46km/h to win the Stock Full class, in which no other competitors made it to the finish.
Paul Williamsen, National Manager of Lexus International Training and Lexus Product Marketing, was one of three co-drivers who completed legs of the event alongside Bacal and said the LX performed without fault.
“The LX ran flawlessly without a single mechanical issue,” he said. “It started and finished on the same four tyres and alloy wheels.
“Nothing but fuel and drinking water was required at the eight planned pit stops.” The specially-prepared Lexus LX 570 features modified racing suspension, 37-inch BF Goodrich Baja tyres, race seats, modern safety equipment including full roll cage, and KC driving lights.
The Stock Full class prohibits any modifications to the drivetrain, chassis and electronics. Bacal also drove the LX 570 to victory in the Stock Full class of the Laughlin Desert Challenge held in January this year.