In 1977, Canadian born Tom Nyhuus got the racing bug. This was the year he modified and ran a Ford Bronco in both the mud racing and sand drag circuit. Also during this time Tom built a Baja style short coarse racer for desert racing. To support his racing habit, Tom went to college in 1979 to become a welder and metal fabricator. He then designed and fabricated off-road race vehicles for rally cars, mud racers, sand dragsters, and pro-street racers, earning many AWS (American Welding Society) certifications. In 1982 Tom decided to run the Pro Indoor Mud Racing circuit full-time, which he did very successfully. In 1988 he stepped up to the Blown Alcohol class for which he built his “Rude Awakening” mud dragster that set numerous records.
Since the first standard travel car was manufactured, Tom Pro Design cars have evolved into high tech mini sandrails that set the bar for other mini sandrails. With his patented Tom Pro reverse box, Tom continues to set the pace for the mini sandrail market. Aside from the reverse box, some of the many options available on the Tom Pro Design cars are Toms trademark 1300 turbocharged Hayabusa motors, dual fuel systems, heated leatherette seats with sand drains, custom sheet metal, HID lighting, gauges, chrome/polish packages, and much more. So, if you’re ready for the ride of your life, give Tom a call and let him fulfill your sandrail dreams with a Tom Pro Design motorcycle powered mini sandrail.
2000: Tom built the first long travel Mini Buggy powered by a 1200cc Turbo Suzuki Bandit engine with Tom’s Reverse Box and King piggyback shocks; it was featured in the April/May 2003 issue of Sand Sports Magazine.
Tom built this for his wife, the first Monster Truck with bypass shocks with a 1200HP Chevy blown big block 468ci engine and a Turbo 400 transmission.
1996: Tom’s rear engine Mud Racer (similar to his 1994 model but 12″ longer and easier to drive) with a Ford Boss Shotgun Hemi 572ci engine, 50% overdriven 1471 blower, every conceivable modification generating a true 2200HP, 2 magnetos and 2 spark plugs per cylinder, 3-disk centrifugal clutch, hi-gear reverser with Tom’s gearbox (similar to the one used in his current Mini Buggies), 9” front and rear differential with 60 front axles (Tom’s custom differential in the front; explosion proof), this monster was insane to drive, providing the best rush ever imaginable.
1995: This was Tom’s first Mini Buggy with an all aluminum frame and a Suzuki GS1100 engine. The total weight of this buggy was only 490 pounds and a whole lot of fun to drive.
1994: Tom’s rear engine Mud Racer with a Ford Boss Shotgun Hemi 572ci engine, 50% overdriven 1471 blower, every conceivable modification generating a true 2200HP, 2 magnetos and 2 spark plugs per cylinder, 3-disk centrifugal clutch, hi-gear reverser with Tom’s gearbox (similar to the one used in his current Mini Buggies), 9” front and rear differential with 60 front axles (Tom’s custom differential in the front; explosion proof), this monster was insane to drive, providing the best rush ever imaginable.
1990: Tom’s 1800HP Ford Ranger with a Ford SVO 588ci engine, 40% overdriven 1471 blower, buzzard catcher injector on alcohol, Crower centrifugal clutch, hi-gear reverser with Tom’s gearbox, chrome Ford 9” rear-ends on the front and rear (the first of dozens of 9″ front ends to be built for other people), a 12″ stretched body, pushed up wheel wells to fit 44” tires, Lexan windows and Tom’s custom frame.
1986: Tom’s 1100HP Ford Ranger with a blown alcohol Ford 351ci small block, 2-speed Lenco and Tom’s first reverse gearbox, tube frame and fiberglass body made by Tom.
1985: Tom’s Ford Bronco Mud Racer.
1984: Tom’s Ford Bronco Sand Racer with a Boss 302 ProStock engine and HiPort Heads putting out 750HP plus an additional 200HP with Nitrous.
1982: This was Tom’s first fiberglass body Ford Bronco with an aluminum floor.
1980: Tom’s Two-Seat Class 1 Buggy with a twin I-Beam front end, 9″ rear end and a 429ci engine.
1979: Tom’s Single-Seat Class 1 Buggy with a twin I-Beam front end, 9″ rear end and a 429ci engine.
1978: Tom’s 650HP Ford Bronco with a Boss 351 Cleveland engine, dual 4-barrel 660 Holley carburetors and a 4-speed top-loader transmission.
1977: Tom’s 300HP Ford Bronco with a 240ci engine and a 4-speed top-loader transmission.
1976: This was Tom’s first Racer; a Ford Bronco with a 250HP 6-cylinder engine.
1974: At only age 14, Tom built his first Go-Kart with a Yamaha 305cc Big Bear 2-cylinder street bike engine; a monster engine for its time.