Timo Glock Drives Toyota Hilux on Two Wheels

Timo Glock driving with Toyota Hilux Stunt Team in Melbourne

F1 driver plays with stunt cars during lead-up to Australian GP

Toyota Racing driver Timo Glock chose an interesting way to prepare himself for the Australian Grand Prix. Did he meditate to calm his nerves, or exercise to warm them up? None of the above. Glock spent the day at Calder Park Raceway behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, learning to drive on two wheels.

Toyota's Hilux Heroes stunt driving team was on hand to give the 27 year-old German driver some pointers, and from the look of things Glock was able to quickly adapt his Formula One driving skills to stunt driving. Hilux Heroes lead driver Jack Monkhouse and Guinness world record holder Lawrence 'The Legend' Ryan demonstrated the required techniques in a 4x2, V6-powered Toyota Hilux whose main modifications consisted of safety equipment. When it was Glock's turn behind the wheel, he managed to get the Hilux up on two wheels in just his third attempt. He managed an impressive 60-meter two-wheel run on his final attempt.

The successful stunt driving was a cheerful departure from Glock's experiences in Melbourne last year, when a terrifying crash launched his car into the air and left him with minor injuries. The crash was severe enough that Albert Park officials made changes to the 2009 course to prevent another such incident. Following his successful two-wheeled drive, Glock was on hand to demonstrate other stunt driving skills to assembled journalists. "This was a lot of fun," he said of his trucking adventure. "Although, I think it would be a little hard to drive a Formula 1 car on two wheels."

That will hopefully not be a concern for Glock as he prepares for the race at Albert Park in Melbourne. Last year Glock finished tenth, an impressive showing for his first full year in F1. His performance in the Panasonic Toyota Racing's new TF109 has been equally promising, as he has been among the fastest drivers in final pre-season testing.

Source: Toyota

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GLOCK ROCKS ON TWO WHEELS

Panasonic Toyota Racing driver Timo Glock has experienced a unique view of Melbourne in the lead-up to this Sunday's Australian Grand Prix by driving a Toyota Hilux on two wheels.

Glock spent the day at Calder Park Raceway north of Melbourne where he learnt the secrets of stunt driving from the renowned Toyota V6 Hilux Heroes stunt driving team.

The team, which performs nationally at leading metro, regional and rural shows in slightly modified versions of the 4x2 V6-powered Toyota Hilux, is made up of Australia's leading professional drivers.

Glock was tutored by Guinness World Record holder, Lawrence 'The Legend' Ryan, and the team's lead driver Jack Monkhouse, who showed off the finer points of two-wheel driving before unleashing the F1 pilot behind the wheel.

The 27-year-old German was fearless in his approach. Using the determination that took him to second place in last season's Hungarian Grand Prix, Glock mastered the extremely difficult trick at just his third attempt.

The Toyota F1 pilot then repeated the feat a number of times - piloting the near-standard Hilux a staggering 60 metres on two wheels on his final run.

He then moved on to doughnuts and formation driving where he entertained a large group of invited media with his prowess behind the wheel.

Despite adapting quickly to the driving technique required to perform the tricks, the man who finished 10th last year in his first full season of Formula 1 has his eyes firmly fixed on this weekend's season-opening race.

"This was a lot of fun," Glock said of his stunt driving cameo. "Although, I think it would be a little hard to drive a Formula 1 car on two wheels."

Glock believes the team can succeed if it transfers its testing pace to the races.

"We did strong development in the latter half of last season and my dream was to take this development curve over into 2009. It looks like we have done this with the pace the car has had from the beginning," Glock said.

"In all conditions the car looks strong. But testing is different to racing, so we have to see how the car performs in qualifying, but my perfect dream would be to win the first race of the season."

Glock topped the time sheets twice during the final pre-season test in the team's new TF109 race car, proving both he and the team will be a threat at Albert Park this weekend.

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janobr

he didnt even "flick" it on to two wheel, he had to use a ramp, and then the car had support bars and a wheel on the side, my grandmother could've done that, with her hands tied behind her back,... shows how skilled toyota drivers are...

March 23, 2009 9:12 pm

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Kepe

(modern) cars can't be "flicked" on to two wheels on level ground. you need a ramp. unless the car is an old A-class Merc or a minivan driven by Richard Hammond... real life is a bit different from Hollywood, you know?

March 23, 2009 9:55 pm

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Pentium

and this bars are for protection, you want to get injuries before ur first race in 2009 season?

March 24, 2009 4:49 am

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Beetle

The bars are to stop it rolling over and any car of any age can be rolled if pushed hard enough , just look at the Mercedes a class before the fix. Id like to see anyone try this in a hilux most of the weight is at the front .

March 24, 2009 5:21 am

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