This old Corolla from the ’80s is getting a new life as a desert racer, and it’s ready to race in one of America’s hardest off-road events.
Randy Wimenta, is an employee at KC HiLiTES, built. This super changed 1989 AE92 Corolla GT-S shows that Toyota’s small cars have more to them than just the popular AE86.
Wimenta got the idea after seeing a picture on Instagram by @stevoform of a desert racer like the ones Ivan Stewart used to drive.
He wanted to turn a regular front-wheel-drive AE92 into something that could handle off-road adventures.
To start, he used two cars that you wouldn’t expect: a normal 1989 Corolla coupe and an All-Trac wagon. By putting them together, Wimenta made a special all-wheel-drive system.
This gives the car the grip it needs for racing in the desert. The suspension has been improved with Bilstein dampers and Eibach parts.
It also has tough Raceline Wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, which give it great grip on sand and rocks. Since Wimenta works at KC HiLiTES, the car has a bunch of extra lights for racing at night.
They call it “AWDROLA”. This unique Corolla was first shown off at the SEMA Show. People loved its old-school Toyota racing colors and the fact that it was lifted higher off the ground. But it’s not just for show.
This weekend, the car is going to race in the Mint 400, a really tough 400-mile race through the rough Nevada desert, competing in the Gambler/Hooptie-X Modified class.
Even though people don’t pay as much attention to this Corolla as they do to the rear-wheel-drive version, it proves that even these less popular models can be awesome for off-roading.
The Mint 400 is no joke. Imagine trying to drive fast for 400 miles across sand, rocks, and who-knows-what-else Nevada throws at you. It is a true test of a vehicle’s endurance and the driver’s skill.
For Wimenta this race is where he will see if his creation is up to the challenge. Other teams are probably running with more expensive and powerful platforms, the AWDRLOA definitely stands out from the crowd.
The car is an absolute head turner, especially with the lights. The Lights is sure to turn night into day. It is an important thing to have when you are racing in the middle of the desert.
It is not easy to take an old car and rebuild it so it can race in the desert. It takes skill, imagination, and a lot of hard work.
Wimenta probably spent hours in his garage, welding, bolting, and fine-tuning every little detail.
He had to be making the all-wheel-drive system work and making sure the suspension could handle the rough terrain.
All of the changes the driver made will allow the car to get through any obstacle.
The AWDROLA is more than just a car. It is a reminder that you do not need anything new.
You can always fix something up to show its true potential. Wimenta has given this old Corolla a new purpose, and he is looking to show people that anything is possible with the right amount of creativity, passion, and skill..
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