Andrew Comrie-Picard Drives Scion Rally xD to Season Opener Victory!

Driver Andrew Comrie-Picard and co-driver Jeremy Wimpey earned Scion Racing its first win of the season and its first ever top finish at the Sno*Drift event on Jan. 26 in Atlanta, Mich. The pair crossed the finish line five minutes ahead of the competition in the two-wheel (2WD) drive class.

"I'm so proud of the entire team, and this victory belongs to them. This season’s new Scion xD is lighter, stronger, faster, easier to service, more predictable and easier to drive,” said Comrie-Picard, known as “ACP.” “The xD ran flawlessly in its first outing, giving Jeremy and I the platform to perform our best. It was a very satisfying win, and we aim to continue being on top throughout the season."

ACP and Wimpey piloted the Scion Racing Rally xD through 20 challenging snow covered stages, winning all but one of them in the 2WD class. The victory marks the second victory together for Comrie-Picard and the Scion Racing Rally xD team.

"We couldn't have asked for a better start to the season,” said Phillip Chase, team manager. “The enhancements to the new car have proven to be successful for the first race, and we are already working to be even more competitive for the next race. We have a great team and we are looking forward to a great season."

At the end of the 20 stages, ACP and Wimpey had a five-minute lead over the second place Ford Fiesta driven by Dillon Van Way and Andrew Edwards.

“To win the first race of the season with a brand new car is a testament to the synergy of a strong car, a talented driver and a skilled team,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion marketing and special events manager. “Scion is looking forward to more impressive racing this season.”

The Rally America National Championship returns to action at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, Feb. 22-23 in Salem, Mo.

The remaining Rally America 2013 race schedule:

• 100 Acre Wood Rally: Feb. 22-23 in Salem, Mo. 
• Oregon Trail Rally: May 3-5 in Portland, Ore.
• Susquehannock Trail Rally: May 31-June 1 in Wellsboro, Pa. 
• New England Forest Rally: July 26-27 in Newry, Maine
• Ojibwe Forests Rally: Aug. 23-24 in Detroit Lakes, Minn. 
• Lake Superior Performance Rally: Oct. 18-19 in Houghton, Mich.

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Maintenance Musts.

 

The best way to keep your vehicle healthy is to keep it clean and lubricated. Maintenance "musts" include changing filters and oil on a regular basis. These basics are the most important part of any maintenance regime and they're also relatively inexpensive. If you do these things regularly, you can help maximize your vehicle's 

 life. 

 

Important filters include:

	oil filter
	engine air filter
	fuel filter
	automatic transmission fluid filter
	PCV/Breathers
	cabin air filters

Scion FR-S Wins Cars.com Best of 2013 Award.

Collecting its first award of the new year, the Scion FR-S captured the Best of 2013 award from Cars.com, an online review and consumer information website. The win was announced at a Cars.com event surrounding the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and shared with the Subaru BRZ.

To earn the Best of 2013 overall award, the FR-S competed against all new and redesigned vehicles. Judges applauded the FR-S driving experience and affordability across all categories. First winning the best sports car award, the FR-S also bested competitors in the best SUV, midsize sedan, luxury sedan, pickup and hybrid categories to earn the overall prize.

“Winning the Best of 2013 award is an honor and evidence of the sustained energy around the FR-S,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “As many drivers have discovered, the FR-S is truly bringing the sport back to the car.”

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

It's Wallpaper Wednesday Friends and we have the perfect one for you!

2013 Tokyo Auto Salon : Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept.

A turbocharged Yaris unveiled today at the Tokyo Auto Salon is a more realistic look at future product.
Built by the race shop’s GRMN tuning division the factory 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gets pushed to 150 hp, while torque rises to 151 lb-ft.

While just a concept, Toyota is believed to be planning a new range of turbocharged engines for its conventional street cars (like the Yaris and Corolla), though they’re likely to focus more on fuel economy than performance.

Courtesy of House of Japan

Thank you Janet for the fantastic review!

"We are very pleased with our experience and would absolutely recommend Tri-County Toyota to our friends."- Janet R.

Click here to read what she said.

Dirty Air Filter!

Semi-clogged air filters hurt fuel economy for the same reason you don't like to run with a potato in your mouth. The question is, when is your filter dirty? Under a Norman Rockwell schedule of small-town errand running and church duty, an air filter might not see much grit. But grimy city surface streets or just looking at a dirt road on a map are often enough to overwhelm air filters. This one is about conditions. If you go near dirt, the air filter may need changing twice as often as the schedule calls for.

Courtesy of MSN Autos.

The 5-Star Reviews just keep on coming!

" I would highly recommend Tri-County and especially Rich Rippel."- Rbickta

Click here to read them.

Happy Throwback Thursday! Check out this great 1985 Toyota commercial!

Another great review just in!

"We are always very satisfied dealing with Tri-County Toyota. Whether it's sales or service they are a very good dealership. We will and have recommended Tri-County Toyota to others."- Toyotatundrabtn

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Gazoo Preparing Unique Looking Toyota 86 Scion FR-S Concept with 325HP Twin-Charged Engine.

Toyota's motorsports and tuning partner Gazoo Racing will host the world premiere of a unique looking Toyota 86 coupe (Japan's version of the North American Scion FR-S) named the GRMN Sports FR Concept Platinum.

The study will feature a unique body with different front and rear ends over the stock 86/FR-S along with some interior upgrades including bucket seats.

 

A 6-speed manual transmission feeds the rear wheels through a new limited slip differential, while other performance upgrades include a new suspension setup, more potent brakes and new 18-inch wheels wrapped in tires size 245/40R18 at the front and 265/35R18 at the rear. According to Gazoo, the concept tips the scales at 1,248kg or 2,751 pounds.

Full details and images are to be released within the next couple of weeks.

Courtesy of House of Japan.

A thank you goes out to our wonderful clients who keep on writing these great reviews!

"A smooth experience from start to finish. Great communications via phone, email, and in-person. Rich Rippel worked with us for our repeat business, and made us very comfortable through out the process."

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