TOYOTA has a long history in challenging for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It started as early as 1980 when a TOYOTA Celica (LB Turbo) was entered by Team TOM'S. After a short interval, the privateer returned to Le Mans in 1985 with the Group C TOM'S 85C-L Toyota. It was a logical step forward for TOYOTA to take over the TOM'S project to commence the official involvement in the world's toughest endurance race in 1987.

In the first factory year, TOYOTA developed the 87C, which turned out to be the 88C in the following season. In 1989, the 89C-V, the drastically modified version of the previous challenger arrived. They even clocked nearly the best time to grab pole position, and yet it ended up in null and void because the regulation did not allow any qualifying time set by spare cars. (The time was subsequently exceeded by another car anyway.) However, it was more than enough for TOYOTA to show its racing credential that warned the other manufacturer teams.

The company's first top-six finish was achieved with the 90C-V in 1990. With this positive result fresh in mind, TOYOTA developed the brand new TS010 based upon the heavily-revised technical regulations in 1991. Year 1992 has been remembered for the bruising battle against Peugeot, which resulted in the runner-up success for the Japanese giant.

The turbocharged 91C-V could be no longer allowed for Le Mans but was evolved to the 94C-V via the 92C-V in the Japanese Championship. Thanks to the other revision in the rules, the turbocharged car was eligible for competition in Le Mans. For the year, TOYOTA entrusted to Team SARD for the entry in the 24-hour race in 1994. The overall victory slipped away from their hands when the gremlins caused the gearbox problem one-and-half hours to go.

TOYOTA continued the rather low-key involvement with the Supra after the GT class was set to be the highest racing category. It was 1998 when the company renewed its commitment to Le Mans, which led to the serious development of the TS020, the ultimate in the GT technology. One year later, Ukyo Katayama/Toshio Suzuki/Keiichi Tsuchiya driving the TS020 (Car #3) fought fair-and-square for the overall win. The high-speed left rear tire burst deprived them from the golden opportunity, leaving them the gallant losers. Nevertheless, their fighting spirit and sheer commitment to winning impressed the fans all over the world.

After the more-than-a-decade-long sabbatical, TOYOTA announced the official comeback to the pinnacle of the Sports Car race. Would the new TS030 offer the final breakthrough for a major success with its unique hybrid powertrain? Let's keep our fingers crossed!