OFF-ROAD RACING AT ANAHEIM STADIUM : New Season, New Lineup Unveiled

Significant changes in racing teams and equipment in the mini-pickup truck class will be unveiled at 7:30 tonight in the season opener of the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Championship Gran Prix at Anaheim Stadium.

Team Toyota, which has won the series eight consecutive years, will be headed by defending champion Ivan Stewart of Alpine, Calif. Stewart won his first of five series races at Anaheim last year and will be joined by a new teammate, American Rally champion Rod Millen of Newport Beach.

A factory-supported Chevrolet team is expected to challenge Toyota for the first time. Danny Thompson, whose late father, Mickey, founded stadium off-road racing, has signed a three-year contract with Chevy and will be supported by veteran desert racer Larry Ragland in his pursuit of the series title.

Veteran driver Walker Evans of Riverside has switched from Jeep to Dodge and will be joined by Glenn Harris. Walker helped Dodge finish second in the manufacturer’s championship the last two years.

Roger Mears, who returns behind the wheel of a Nissan, is the only driver who hasn’t made a change in equipment or personnel. Mears will be joined by his son, Roger Jr.

Six classes of racing, including 1600cc dune buggies, 250cc motorcycles, Odysseys and Ultrastocks, will be included on the program. Gates open at 5:30 with a driver autograph session beginning at 6 p.m.

Frank Arciero Jr. of Laguna Hills will bid for a record third consecutive victory in the 1600cc class and is expected to be challenged by Jerry Whelchel of Irvine. Arciero has 14 main-event victories in the series.