Custom ’89 Toyota Corolla GT-S to Compete in the 2026 Mint 400
A retro-inspired, AWD conversion built on an AE92 Corolla chassis, "AWDROLA" began life as a rendering in tribute to Toyota's desert racing heritage...
What began as a viral Instagram rendering in 2020 has evolved into a sanctioned desert race entry. Randy Wimenta and co-driver Will Wimenta will compete in the 2026 Mint 400 Gambler/Hooptie-X Modified class under American Off-Road Racing (UNLTD Off-Road Racing & BITD Partnership) with their custom-built 1989 Toyota Corolla GT-S known as “AWDROLA.”
Originally conceived as a tribute to Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and Toyota’s desert racing heritage, “AWDROLA” is a retro-inspired, all-wheel-drive conversion built on an AE92 Corolla chassis and powered by an AE95 All-Trac drivetrain. The project debuted publicly at Off-Road Expo and later appeared at SEMA, where it garnered international automotive media attention and enthusiast acclaim, company officials stated in a press release.
Now, the build enters its most significant chapter yet, lining up at the Mint 400.
Co-driver and fabricator Will Wimenta is currently preparing the vehicle at Shift Auto & Off-Road in Santa Ana, California, reinforcing suspension and steering components and completing technical updates required for race contingency and inspection.
“This project started as a creative build paying homage to Toyota’s rally and desert off-road racing heritage,” said Randy Wimenta. “We want to prove that a rebuilt 1989 Toyota platform can still run hard in the desert.”
“AWDROLA” Build Specs & Race Components
AWDROLA blends 1980s Toyota racing aesthetics with modern off-road racing technology, noted the release. The vehicle features:
- AE92 Corolla GT-S chassis with AE95 All-Trac AWD drivetrain conversion
- Custom Barnes 4WD 4-link rear suspension system
- Eibach Dual-Spring Setup: Front and Rear
- Custom Streetwise/Bilstein Strut System: Front
- Bilstein 8125 Coilovers with Reservoir: Rear
- Custom Dana Spicer front CV axles
- KC HiLiTES Gravity Titan Lightbar, FLEX ERA 4 Bumper Lights, and Cyclone accessory lights
- Dempsey Fabrication roll cage, subframe and structural integration
- Raceline 16×8 wheels with BFGoodrich KO2 tires
- Full safety and recovery systems for competition use
The vehicle previously participated in the Gambler 500 and Hooptie-X environments as a shakedown test and has since undergone refinement in preparation for desert-race conditions.
“The Gambler/Hooptie-X class captures the original spirit of the Mint,” said Matt Martelli, CEO of UNLTD Off-Road Racing. “It’s about creativity, determination and teams bringing whatever they built in their garage and putting it to the test in the desert. We welcome every Gambler/Hooptie-X racer willing to line up and take their shot, including creative builds like ‘AWDROLA.’ Fans can catch all the action live on the Unlimited Offroad Racing YouTube page.”
“AWDROLA’s” Road to the Mint 400
The Mint 400 represents a meaningful step in the project’s evolution. Built as a tribute to one of desert racing’s most decorated drivers, “AWDROLA” now enters the same racing ecosystem that shaped that legacy.
“At KC, we’ve always believed that legacy is built by people willing to dream beyond the render,” said Alan Wang, CEO of KC HiLiTES. “When Randy joined us nearly a decade ago, he carried a deep respect for heritage, culture and the emotional power of cars and motorsport. Watching this project move from a concept parked on Instagram to competing in the Mint 400 is a full-circle moment. It reminds all of us that when passion is anchored to purpose, ideas can move from spark to flame and from imagination to action.”
“Being surrounded by an incredible community of fabricators, grassroots racers and desert legends is truly inspiring,” said Taylor Ulrich, director of brand marketing at KC HiLiTES. “I watched Randy start as a DIY Jeeper and slowly catch the racing bug simply by being around people who genuinely love this sport and what it represents. Racing the Mint 400 demands commitment, courage and perseverance. We’re proud to support Randy and Will as they take the ‘AWDROLA’ on the biggest journey of its life and line up for their first-ever desert off-road race.”
