Japan – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secures Sebring one-two

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing dominated the opening round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) to earn a one-two victory in the 1000 Miles of Sebring in the face of strong Hypercar competition.

The GR010 HYBRID #7 of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez bounced back from a practice accident on Thursday to take victory after a hard-fought 239 laps at the home of endurance racing in the United States.

After a tense race-long battle at the front, World Champions and 2022 Le Mans winners Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa completed a perfect result for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing by finishing second in the #8 GR010 HYBRID, just 2.168secs behind.

Relentless consistency, flawless team operations and strong tyre management combined as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing overcame the challenge of new Hypercar rivals from Cadillac, Ferrari and Porsche to lap all competitors twice and earn the team’s 40th WEC victory.

Despite missing pole position on Thursday, the team was immediately in the fight at the front when the green flags waved in midday Florida sunshine. Sebastien kept pressure on the pole-sitting #50 Ferrari through the opening laps, while Mike held off a challenge to his third position.

An early safety car, due to a fifth-lap accident for a GT car, put the battle on hold for 25 minutes. During that interruption, the lead Ferrari pitted for fuel, moving the GR010 HYBRIDs to the front and defining the pattern of the race. Sebastien set a new Hypercar race lap record as he and Mike edged clear of the competition.

At the two-hour mark, little separated the GR010 HYBRIDs and their gap over the chasing pack was enough to keep them ahead through the first driver changes. Kamui took the wheel of the #7 and two laps later Brendon jumped into the race-leading #8, although he immediately came under pressure from the sister car.

As half distance approached, Kamui moved the #7 to the front and soon after, early in the fifth hour, he handed over to Jose. Ryo took the wheel of the second-placed #8 to resume an intra-team battle for victory, with the pair now a lap clear of the competition.

After Kamui and Sebastien returned to their respective cockpits, the gap at the front began to grow during the seventh hour. When Mike took the wheel of the #7 with 47 minutes remaining, he held a 23secs advantage over Brendon at the start of the final stint.

As the sun set on Sebring, Mike ticked off the remaining laps without taking risks and Brendon reduced the gap steadily. The chequered flag flew in darkness and Mike crossed the line 2.168secs ahead of the #8 to conquer the biggest-ever top-class grid for a WEC season-opener and earn maximum race points.

Hypercar battle resumes in Portugal in a month’s time with the 6 Hours of Portimao on 16 April, the second of seven races this season.

1000 Miles of Sebring – Result:
1st #7 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 239 laps
2nd #8 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +2.168secs
3rd #50 Ferrari AF Corse (Fuoco/Molina/Nielsen) +2 laps
4th #2 Cadillac Racing (Bamber/Lynn/Westbrook) +2 laps
5th #5 Porsche Penske (Cameron/Christensen/Makowiecki) +4 laps
6th #6 Porsche Penske (Estre/Lotterer/Vanthoor) +4 laps

For more information, visit https://toyotagazooracing.com/wec/release/2023/rd01-race/.

Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Japan – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in search of more Swedish snow success

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Japan – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and Lexus to Exhibit at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and Lexus are planning to exhibit at the three-day Tokyo Auto Salon 2023(1) to be held at Makuhari Messe (in Chiba, Japan) from January 13 to 15, 2023. Also, Lexus and Toyota are planning to exhibit at the concurrent Tokyo Outdoor Show(2) at the same venue. Both efforts–under the shared theme: “Toyota: Leaving no car lovers behind”–are to exhibit vehicles and automotive parts in line with the three concepts of “Carbon neutrality for protecting beloved cars”, “Making ever-better motorsports-bred cars”, and “Diverse lifestyles to enjoy with beloved cars”. Details of the exhibited vehicles and other information are to be posted on the TGR website below as they become available. Also accessible via the same URL are to be a press conference scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on January 13 and talk sessions (featuring Toyota President Akio Toyoda, professional racing drivers, and others) during the show. The press conference will be available in both Japanese and English. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP2YsAqMsMU

As new initiatives utilizing digital technology, TGR and Lexus have organized an “NFT Digital Stamp Rally” for added enjoyment at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023’s physical venue and a metaverse-based “Virtual Garage by GR/Lexus” to deliver enjoyment to a broad audience of and beyond show visitors. For more information, please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/eventexhibition/tokyoautosalon/virtualgarage

“Carbon neutrality for protecting beloved cars”
Toward achieving carbon neutrality, Toyota is aiming to provide its customers with more choices by offering a full product lineup.

In parallel, expecting that it will take time before all new vehicles are carbon neutral, Toyota believes that simultaneously promoting the carbon neutralization also of vehicles currently in customer use is essential for the future. As such, TGR and Lexus will exhibit concept cars that propose that customers can continue to drive forever in their beloved cars while taking on the challenge of reducing CO2 emissions.

“Making ever-better motorsports-bred cars”
TGR is putting into practice its approach of “Making ever-better motorsports-bred cars” by commercially providing cars that have been honed to win races. At Tokyo Auto Salon 2023, TGR will unveil a product that commemorates its WRC drivers’ title win. TGR will also announce a product that utilizes the knowledge gained through WRC participation, with demo runs planned for January 14 and 15.

“Diverse lifestyles to be enjoyed with beloved cars”
In addition to exhibiting vehicles that have been customized under the supervision of professional racing drivers, new GR Parts and GR Heritage Parts that are scheduled for release in 2023 are to also be displayed. Furthermore, Lexus and Toyota will exhibit for the first time at the Tokyo Outdoor Show. Toward achieving a carbon-neutral society, and based on its desire to deliver outdoor experiences that help people understand, enjoy, and protect nature, Lexus will promote its “Overtrail Project”, which offers the fun of vehicles that enhance outdoor lifestyles while coexisting with nature and provides various outdoor experiences.

New initiatives using digital technology

1. NFT Digital Stamp Rally
The NFT Digital Stamp Rally is for visitors to enjoy a new style of stamp rally(3) using digital technology as they tour the venue. By scanning special QR codes placed at the booths of TGR and supporting companies, visitors can obtain original digital stamps from each company, with a bonus stamp being awarded to those who collect all stamps.

Participating companies
– Rays
– Bride
– Sparco/Sabelt
– Toyota Auto Body
– Daihatsu
– Modellista
– Tom’s
– TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

2. Metaverse “Virtual Garage by GR/Lexus”
So that as many visitors as possible can enjoy Tokyo Auto Salon 2023, a “Virtual Garage by GR/Lexus” will open on cluster, which is one of Japan’s largest metaverse platforms. The garage will enable visitors to freely enjoy the exterior, interior structure, and video images of some of the exhibited vehicles without worrying about time or crowds, and a participatory conference on the future of motorsports is also scheduled. Visitors will receive a special login gift. The virtual space is to partially open in advance on January 6, with the exhibition of vehicles slated to begin on January 13.

For more information on the “Virtual Garage by GR/Lexus”, please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/eventexhibition/tokyoautosalon/virtualgarage

(1) A customized car event to be held at Makuhari Messe (in Chiba, Japan) for three days from January 13 to 15, 2023 (13th: industry and press invitation day; 14th and 15th: general public days)
(2) An exposition focusing on outdoor lifestyles and based on the concept of “Being kind to and enjoying nature–our new and prosperous lifestyles” to be held at Makuhari Messe (in Chiba, Japan) for three days from January 13 to 15, 2023 (13th: industry and press invitation day; 14th and 15th: general public days)
(3) An activity for collecting (traditionally) inked stamps at predetermined locations along a designated course or within a designated venue

Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Japan – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Launches GR Corolla Sales Efforts with Lotteries in Japan

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) commenced its sales efforts today for the Japanese-market trim levels of the new GR Corolla–the GR Corolla RZ and GR Corolla RZ “MORIZO Edition” (GR Corolla Morizo Edition)(1)–with purchasing lotteries that run to December 19 for GR Corolla RZ and December 18 for GR Corolla Morizo Edition. Sales of both models are slated to start in early 2023.


GR Corolla RZ


When the GR Corolla RZ was unveiled on June 1, TGR announced that the model would go on sale through Toyota vehicle dealers throughout Japan. However, continuing COVID-19 infections and the semiconductor shortage prompted a switch to an online purchasing lottery for an initial 500 units, with additional sales to be considered while monitoring the production situation. For the GR Corolla Morizo Edition, which is a two-seater model with enhanced driving performance, purchasing lottery applications for 70 units can be made at GR Garage locations nationwide(2).

The GR Corolla was developed by putting into practice the concept of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, emphasizing honing cars to win races and making them commercially available. TGR will continue to evolve the GR Corolla by reflecting the knowledge that it gains in its continued participation in motorsports.

(1) The official name of the GR Corolla Morizo Edition is the “GR Corolla RZ ‘MORIZO Edition”. Also, as a customized vehicle, units must be submitted for physical inspection for first-time registration.

(2) Purchasing lottery applications are not available at the GR Garage FUKUROI previously owned vehicle specialty store

For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/38317830.html.

Copyright ©2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.