Changing the off-road race game

STORY BY ANYA MURPHY

PHOTOS BY ALEJANDRA VALENCIA

Raceline wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich KO2 tires give the AWDROLA an intimidating stance.

Full customization comes with a lot of detail work.

You may have heard of the AWDROLA (pronounced “Odd-Rolla”). If you haven’t, here’s the story: a rendering of a Corolla AE86 by @stevo.form that circulated around Instagram came across KC HiLites Marketing Activation Manager Randy Wimenta’s feed way back in 2020, and, long story short, a couple of years and a ton of elbow grease later, we have the AWDROLA.

The rig we see rolling out in the desert today is a true Frankenstein, with the body of a Corolla, the 4ASV transaxle and transfer case of a 1989 All-Trac wagon, and the suspension of a 1999 Rav4. Down to its individual components, this vehicle is unique, from a 4AGE engine cranking out 120hp to its fully custom roll cage.

Safari Team

Randy’s 1989 Toyota Corolla GT-S was his daily driver back in 2020, but he immedi- ately saw potential to turn it into something that looks a whole heck of a lot like this Ivan Stewart-inspired B-Class Safari rig rendering. But first, he needed a team.

Randy looks at home in the driver’s seat of the AWDROLA.

“TAKING INSPIRATION FROM ‘THE OGS OF THE SAFARI RALLY BUILD’ TURNED OUT TO BE A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS.”

First came the AWD conversion, a full swap with a 1989 Toyota Corolla All-Trac, set up by Randy’s cousin Will Wimenta and executed with the help of Alberto Rivera of KC. Overall direction of the suspension and roll cage install was provided by Jon Rood. Suspension and roll cage fabrication was done by Trophy Truck trainer and builder, Chuck Dempsey.