Nurburg, Germany – July 2019
Toyota GAZOO Racing (GR) participated with the GR Supra in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in Germany for the first time recently, and performed well under challenging conditions to finish the race third in the SP8T (vehicles with turbocharged engines and a maximum displacement of 4,000 cm3) class. Toyota President Akio Toyoda was one of the four drivers to take the wheel of the No. 90 GR Supra during the 47th edition of the endurance race.
The Nürburgring circuit offers 170 corners of varying lengths and a maximum elevation difference of 300 m; it has been said that the circuit condenses the world’s roads into a single course, making it the ultimate vehicle proving ground. The extended nature of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race also allows engineers to supplement clinical machine data with the subjective analysis of experienced master drivers, who can provide more nuanced, emotion-led feedback.
Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsport, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship, and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race. Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established GR, to consolidate all of its motorsport activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota’s belief that ‘the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,’ GR highlights the role of motorsport as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to making ‘ever-better’ cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsport events, GR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.
