Prior Experience No Longer Applies
Taking on the Challenges of Grueling Races with New Vehicles in 2016
In 2007, the first small step was taken by competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race.
The team, made of novices, has grown and overcome numerous hurdles with the support of many people, and this year marks 10 years since that race.
In 2016, three vehicles will compete in the race: a Toyota C-HR Racing competing for the first time, and a Lexus RC F. New challenges are being undertaken to develop human resources who can make ever-better cars.
Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, May 29—This year, the race will be broadcast live from the race site for 26 hours again!
The race will be broadcast on the official site (YouTube Live) and on-air on J SPORTS.
Live broadcast on the official site (YouTube Live) |
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| Japan time | 21:30 on Saturday, May 28 to 23:30 on Sunday, May 29 | 26-Hour Live Broadcast |
| Germany time: | 14:30 on Saturday, May 28 to 16:30 on Sunday, May 29 | |
On-air on J SPORTS |
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| Japan time: | 22:00 on Saturday, May 28 to 23:30 on Sunday, May 29 | The broadcast will be divided into five parts |
* Broadcast times, etc. are subject to change
* Live broadcasts can be viewed on this page
* Viewing is possible only in Japan.
The demanding Nürburgring 24 Hours Race teaches us how to make better cars
The hope for ever-better car making in the future of the race
When refining the vehicles that compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race, said to be the world’s most demanding race, competition isn’t just limited to the circuit, but includes developing machines from the ground up, conducting driving tests throughout Europe, and so on. Perfecting the sensibility of building powerful machines by driving on “real roads” where it is not known what types of accidents will occur, and fostering human resources who will relentlessly pursue the creation of ever-better cars is the true goal of Toyota GAZOO Racing as it tackles these demanding and lofty challenges.
Roads refine people, and people make cars. The roads that people drive on are the essence of Toyota’s automaking.
Vehicles & Drivers
Team NameTOYOTA GAZOO Racing
Vehicle
- TOYOTA C-HR Racing
- New challenges in a crossover vehicle that isn’t a pure sports car.
Human resource development and car development will be accelerated and used in future vehicle development, gaining a new vehicle for which past experience no longer applies.
Driver
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Masahiko Kageyama
1Won third place in the 1998 LeMans 24-hour race, a first for a Japanese team. Had the world’s first race appearance in a Toyota 86 at VLN9 in 2011, and in 2015 competed in the Super Taikyu series as director of Toyota Team Tom’s Spirit.
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Kumi Sato
First encountered racing while attending university and competed in the Super GT, Super Taikyu, and other races. Is active in a wide range of categories including spot competition in the TRD Rally Challenge in an 86 in 2013.
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Hiroki Yoshida
Made his racing debut in 2004. Has won many races including the FJ1600 Suzuka Club Man Series and the Super Taikyu ST-1 Class Series. Is currently active in 86/BRZ races, primarily in Super GT.
Chief mechanic
Akihiro Osaka
Vehicle
- LEXUS RC
- Second time competing since 2015.
Improvements addressing last year’s issues have been steadily incorporated and new technology items have been introduced, deepening both human resource development and car development.
- Engine configuration
- 8AR-FTS
- Total displacement (L)
- 2.0
- Vehicle dimensions(Length x Width x Height)
- 4,695mm × 1,840mm × 1,350mm
- Tire size
- 245/40R18
- Drive format:
- 2WD (rear-wheel drive)
- Transmission:
- 8-speed automatic
Driver
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Takayuki Kinoshita
1Began racing in 1983. Has won numerous races including the Japanese F3 Championship, All-Japan Touringcar Championship, and Super GT. Is the Japanese driver who has raced the most times in the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race.
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Takamitsu Matsui
Competes in Super GT (300 class) and Super Taikyu (Toyota Team Tom's Spirit). Starting in 2015, competed in the Nürburgring Race with Toyota GAZOO Racing.
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Naoya Gamo
Competed in the Japanese F3 Championship and has competed in the Super Taikyu since 2012. In 2015, raced in various categories including the Super GT (300 class), Super Taikyu (Toyota Team Tom’s Spirit), and 86/BRZ Race.
Chief mechanic
Minoru Takagi
Team Name TOYOTA GAZOO Racing with TOM’S
Vehicle
- LEXUS RC F
- Tom’s takes charge of the development of cars exclusively for motorsports and competes in races.
The extensive experience and know-how of Tom’s is used and the stimulus from master mechanics drives Toyota’s human resource development.
- Engine configuration
- 2UR-GSE
- Vehicle dimensions (Length x Width x Height)
- 4,805mm × 1,915mm × 1,366mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,730mm
- Drive format:
- 2WD (rear-wheel drive)
Driver
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Takeshi Tsuchiya
Active in F3 and Formula Nippon and currently complete in and is active in Super GT. Has also competed in the Super 24-Hours and LeMans 24-hour races.
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Tatsuya Kataoka
Was among the first cohort of scholarship recipients to the Formula Toyota Racing School (FTRS) in 2000. Active in F3, Formula Nippon, Super GT, and other areas. Won the Super GT (500 class) for the first time in 2005 in a Supra. Currently active in Super Taikyu and Super GT.
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Kazuya Oshima
Has numerous accomplishments in Super GT and Formula Nippon. In 2013, competed in Super GT (GT500 class) with Lexus Team LeMans ENEOS and came in first place in the eighth race at Twin Ring Motegi. In 2015, competed in super GT (GT500 class) with the same team.
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Takuto Iguchi
Competed in Super GT (GT 300 class) in 2008. Overall winner of the Bangsaen four-hour endurance race in 2012. Has competed in Super Taikyu with Toyota Team Tom’s Spirit since 2012. In 2015, in addition to Super Taikyu, competed in Super GT (300 class) and 86/BRZ Race with Subaru BRZ.
