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Carsales Staff21 Aug 2014
NEWS

Trophy trucks like you've never seen them

High-octane new documentary to profile one of the world's toughest motorsports

Toyo Tires and Jetpilot have released a gripping teaser video of a new documentary that chronicles the highs and lows of trophy truck racing for the first time, and will go to air on 7mate at 12:30pm on August 30.

Attack The Dirt: The Road to Finke tells the story of the rapidly growing pick-up racing scene from the perspective of one of its most successful drivers as he prepares for the jewel of Australian off-road racing, the infamous Finke Desert Race.

It combines spectacular scenes of trophy truck crashes, racing footage shots from helicopters, driver interviews and inside info on the high-horsepower engines and sophisticated suspension behind some of the toughest vehicles on the planet, all using the latest high-quality production technology.

Embedded with Team Toyo, the documentary traces the history of the #454 truck driven by Brad Gallard, following the team through the lofty highs and devastating lows of their 2014 Australian Off Road Championship campaign.

"Viewers are brought face-to-face with the confronting reality of what it takes to succeed in off-road racing, and are given a rare insight into the physical and mental demands of tackling the toughest tracks in Australia," says Toyo Tires.

Gallard said the doco was an unprecedented insight into the sport and his single-minded determination to reclaim the 2014 'King of the desert' crown he won in 2012, but lost in 2013 due to a devastating mechanical failure.

"I am honoured to be the subject of a movie that gives a different perspective to trophy truck racing," he said.

"This is a sport I believe in and I'm determined to help it grow. This documentary is a giant step forward in increasing its profile and telling the story of how we got to where we are."

Director Allan Hardy said the adrenaline-charged motorsport is tailor-made for film, as is the #454 team's search for balance between the full-throttle aggression that won Gallard the loyalty of many fans and the measured strategy it takes to win an off-road championship.

"The making of this film has given me a new perspective on trophy truck racing," he said.

"Visually the sport is so striking, and you can't help but become emotionally invested in the team and engrossed in the detail of the equipment they use.

"I have developed so much respect for the drivers and teams that throw so many dollars, and so much time into it and give their all to compete in an extremely tough sport.

"A roll-over, broken suspension arm or a mechanical failure might seem like problems you can overcome with a good old 'well that's racing', but every hit these trucks take hits the driver, the navigator and the supporting team even harder. These guys bleed off-roading," Hardy said.

Toyo Tires marketing manager Jose Angeles is clearly an off-road racing convert, saying: "There is so much to off-road racing -- sleepless nights, heartbreak and blood, sweat and tears. Attack the Dirt... takes you as far behind the scenes of trophy trucks as anyone has been allowed to go.

"It is a look at a sport on the brink of national recognition, and with the action and honesty shown in this film, it isn't hard to understand why off-road racing is about to explode.

"The world needs to know the story of who these guys are and why they do what they do. Trophy truck racing is motorsport at its most raw. There is a grassroots camaraderie among the teams and every race is a unique experience," said Angeles.

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