Africa-Press – Lesotho. Toyota is truly embracing the “Race on Saturday, sell on Monday” mantra as they aim to build their GR brand into something recognisable on racetracks and at traffic lights, as TRD was in the 1970s and 1980s.
Investing in local motorsport Toyota is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to developing local motorsport on all levels, starting with karting.
Since its inception in 2022 the Gazoo Racing Junior Academy has significantly contributed to motorsport in South Africa by nurturing young talent and providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed.
Through the academy, Toyota Gazoo Racing SA has identified and developed promising karters who have gone on to achieve great success. The academy aims to develop drivers holistically by coaching them on various facets of motorsport under the mentorship of specialists such as Leeroy Poulter.
Currently, the academy consists of a diverse group of drivers from different cultures and genders participating in the national and regional Rotax MAX Challenge championships.
“The racing mentorship and training programme ensures we fulfil our objective to develop drivers across the various motorsport formats to mentor them – to ultimately participate and represent us at the Dakar Rally.
“We believe the GR Junior Academy has already made a positive impact in the local motorsport space by showing young racing talent that there is a future in motorsport and growth opportunities,” says Riaan Esterhuysen, Senior Manager: Toyota SA Product PR and Gazoo Racing.
On the main circuits, Toyota birthed the GR Cup last year. It expanded the concept during 2023 with this year’s series consisting of a group of youngsters who made their tin top racing debut in the GR Yaris while members of the media were given a taste of motorsport behind the wheel of the GR 86.
The vehicles used in the GR Cup are essentially road cars that have been prepared for racing with minimal modifications and the addition of safety equipment such as a roll cage, racing seat and harnesses, showcasing the performance pedigree of these GR products in stock form.
On the circuit, Toyota Gazoo Racing also contested the highly competitive GTC series, achieving several podiums and victories throughout the year, and this programme is set to continue.
In 2024, Toyota Gazoo Racing will expand its circuit racing activities by entering the popular SupaCup series and expanding the GR Cup field with the addition of race-prepared GR Corollas.
On the off-road motorsport scene, Toyota Gazoo Racing remain competitive in both the National Rally Championship with an all-new Starlet and with the T1+ Toyota Hilux in the SA Cross Country Championship, which is used as a test bed for their highly successful Dakar Rally programme.
At Zwartkops raceway, Toyota made a significant investment when they revamped a large facility at the top of the circuit to create the Gazoo Racing headquarters, providing a space for GR fans to enjoy all GR activities from the best viewing location at this circuit.
The facility is now home to Toyota Gazoo Racings Global Touring Cars, GR Cup, GR Junior Academy and the GR Driving Academy, allowing members of the public to receive driver training behind the wheel of GR products on the circuit and skidpan. Building cars that are fun to drive
The GR lineup currently consists of the GR Supra in manual and automatic guise, GR Corolla, GR Yaris and GR 86, all of which offer exceptional performance in their market segment and allow enthusiasts to drive motorsport-inspired and capable vehicles on a daily basis.
GR Sport models include the Corolla Cross GR-S, Hilux GR-S and Land Cruiser 300 GR-S, which feature subtle interior and exterior enhancements that add a sporty look.
These GR models perfectly dovetail with Toyota’s motorsport initiatives and allow enthusiasts to drive the same cars that are being campaigned in the world of motorsport in road-going form, which is a testament to Toyota’s recent strategy of not only building vehicles that are focused on doing a job or being kind to the environment, but which are also fun to drive.
At dealer level, Toyota unveiled the first Gazoo Racing Dealer Zone this year, which aims to bring the ‘world of GR’ to fans’ backyard and build on the racing success achieved by Toyota Gazoo Racing on a global scale in formulas such as Rally Raid, Dakar, WRC, WEC, GTC and local Rally championships.
The aim is to continue to grow GR as an iconic, global performance brand and provide customers with a tailored performance motoring experience. Utilising bespoke shop fitment, merchandise area, digital features and a race-like environment, the GR Zone is the one-stop-shop for motoring enthusiasts to come experience the GR Brand within their community.
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