VLN2 Report & PhotoGallery

On April 25, Toyota GAZOO Racing competed in the second round of the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring (VLN2).On April 12, the LFA Code X participated in the ADAC Qualifying Race 24-Hour—a six-hour race to help prepare teams for the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race—and finished first in the SP-PRO Class and in 16th position in the overall standings.

The car was also awarded a “Blue Flash” high-luminance LED light, given to only the fastest vehicles, and gained entry to the top-30 qualifying session for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Various improvements were made in the small amount of time remaining, and it was an upgraded LFA Code X that competed in the VLN2.

Hiroaki Ishiura, one of the drivers of the LFA Code X, was full of praise after finishing eighth in qualifying (second in the SP-PRO Class): “The car is definitely a step up from last year, and everyone’s hard work is starting to bear fruit.” Even though the vehicles were subject to high-speed regulations, the LFA Code X bettered its qualifying time from VLN1—convincing proof of its improved performance. However, the team encountered gear-box trouble in the middle of the qualifying session, and had to work through the night to determine the cause of the problem and subsequently rectify it. In order to enhance the balance of the car, the rear calipers were also adjusted after qualifying.

The RC qualified in 144th place, and seventh in the SP3T Class. Takayuki Kinoshita commented, “The car is significantly faster than it was in VLN1. We will now have to consider installing the 250 km/h speed-limiter, which we had been told was unnecessary.”

The race took place in challenging weather and the track conditions shifted from semi-wet to dry, then back to wet again. The LFA Code X started on the rain tires but, with the weather improving, immediately pitted to change tires. However, the time incurred during the tire change led to the car falling down the order. While the mechanics worked measurably faster during this race than in VLN1, further improvements will be expected for the next race. In addition, the gear-box trouble that had afflicted the team during the qualifying session re-surfaced. The LFA Code X crossed the finishing line in 19th overall, and second in the SP-PRO Class.

The RC, meanwhile, made major progress and finished in 76th in the overall standings, and fifth in the SP3T Class. While the race result confirmed the car’s improved speed, there is still more to do to reach the next level.

There is barely any time left, but the hands of the engineers and mechanics continue to work ceaselessly. Everything is geared towards the creation of “ever-better cars.”