TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Outlines 2017 Motorsports Activities

Toyota City, Japan, February 2, 2017―Toyota Motor Corporation today announces its TOYOTA GAZOO Racing motorsports activities for 2017.

Toyota views motorsports as an important medium to convey the anticipation and excitement of driving. Toyota will strive to carry out activities to refine its people and cars, as well as to expand the car fan base through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, thereby contributing to the creation of ever-better cars.

Toyota returned to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in 18 years with the Yaris WRC (called the Vitz in Japan).　Toyota will also race under the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team name in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race, and the Japanese Rally Championship. In the WEC, Toyota will race the improved TS050 Hybrid, based on a hybrid system developed at the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center. Three units of the car will be provided for the second race of the season at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and the third race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This year, the goals are to win the overall title for the year, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time. In the 2017 Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race, which will mark Toyota’s eleventh year of participation, Toyota will enter the Lexus RC, where we return to the starting point in terms of developing our personnel.

In the U.S., Toyota will continue to compete in NASCAR events. In South America, Toyota will support Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd., who will participate in the following Dakar Rally. Additionally, starting with this season, Toyota will supply the Lexus RC F GT3 to the U.S. and Japan.

In Japan, Toyota will newly enter the Lexus LC 500 in the Super GT, aiming to win both this race, and the Super Formula two seasons in a row.

In its focus on programs aimed at cultivating young drivers who hope to compete in top racing categories throughout the world, Toyota will continue to run the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Challenge Program for rallies, as well as the Toyota Young Drivers Program (TDP) for races.

Toyota will also actively work on helping more people appreciate the joy of automobiles, helping to transform them in becoming car enthusiasts. In addition to providing a full range of motorsport events that customers can participate in and enjoy, such as the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Netz Cup Vitz Race, and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge, it will also hold various circuit events, as well as hands-on events in collaboration with dealers nationwide. Toyota plans to continue promoting TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Woman, designed to help women feel more comfortable with, and enjoy motorsports. Additionally, Toyota will continue to send out precise information through the web and social networking sites about races, rallies, and events, as well as on models such as the GRMN, which were commercialized through racing and rally experience.

Going forward, Toyota will continue to work together with its affiliates to promote activities for consumers to see, learn about, and experience motorsports, thereby contributing to the creation of ever-better cars, satisfying the passion of car lovers, and bringing the joy of cars to an even wider audience.

Presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY5VijvvVk8

Talk Session
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHItnoKRLE8

Outline of Toyota’s 2017 Motorsports Activities

1) FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

- This season, Toyota returned to the WRC for the first time in 18 years, seeing the series as an important platform to help promote its ever-better-cars initiatives.

- Toyota will race the Yaris WRC (called the Vitz in Japan) developed in Finland under the leadership of Team Principal Tommi Mäkinen. The engine to be used is a 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo GI4A, developed at Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG).

2) FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)

- The FIA World Endurance Championship has taken place every year since 2012.

- Highlights of the Championship include the third and seventh races of the series: the Le Mans 24-hour race (June 17–18), and the 6 Hours of Fuji race (October 15).

- TMG and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing have applied to enter two of the improved TS050 Hybrid vehicles into all nine races.

- Three units have been applied for the entry for the races at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans, while two units of the TS050 Hybrid vehicles have been for the other 7 races respectively.

- The THS-R powertrain, developed at Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan, features not only the existing system capable of better powering all wheels, but also an engine, motors/generators, and batteries that have all been significantly enhanced. Toyota plans to utilize these advanced hybrid technologies in its mass-production hybrid vehicles.

- Sébastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson, Kazuki Nakajima, Mike Conway, and Kamui Kobayashi will be joined by newcomer José María López. Stéphane Sarrazin and two more drivers (TBD) are scheduled to participate in Rd.2 Spa-Francorchamps and Rd.3 Le Mans.

- All vehicles will be equipped with Michelin tires.

3) Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race

- The Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race is the starting point for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s activities toward the creation of ever-better cars. Through participation in this race again this year, Toyota plans to also continue refining its people and its cars.

- The 45th Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race (official name: 45. ADAC Zurich 24h-Rennen) Dates: May 25–28, 2017

- In 2017, Toyota will enter the race with a Lexus RC (for the third year consecutive year). This year, which marks Toyota’s eleventh year of participation, the entire TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team will work to make improvements and further enhance performance from last year’s by going back to the starting point for the development of our people.

4) NASCAR

- Toyota will once again compete in the NASCAR series through Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A Inc.

- Toyota will compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with the new Toyota Camry and the Xfinity Series with the Toyota Camry. The Toyota Tundra will compete in the Camping World Truck Series.

- All vehicles will be fitted with Goodyear tires.

Toyota Teams and Drivers for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

5) IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, U.S.A.

- Through Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Toyota will supply two Lexus RC F GT3 to 3GT Racing, which will compete in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series.

- All vehicles will be equipped with Continental tires.

6) Dakar Rally

- Toyota regularly supports Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body (TLC), which competes in the Dakar Rally with Toyota Land Cruiser 200 vehicles.

- At the Dakar Rally 2017, held in January this year, car No. 327 finished in first place in the production vehicle division for the 4th consecutive year, and Car No. 332 finished the race in 2nd place for a one-two finish.

¹ Includes gasoline and diesel classes
² TLC competed in the diesel class of the production vehicle division
³ Toyota Auto Body employee

7) Super GT

(1) GT500 Class

- Super GT series is in the top category of Japanese car racing.

- In 2017, Lexus GAZOO Racing will enter the new Lexus LC 500, which complies with the new technical rules.

- Lexus GAZOO Racing will support six teams and six vehicles through TRD.

Tire legend: BS: Bridgestone; YH: Yokohama

(2) GT300 Class

- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will also enter a Toyota Prius incorporating a hybrid system and a new Lexus RC F GT3 in the GT300 class.

Tire legend: BS: Bridgestone; YH: Yokohama

8) Japanese Super Formula Championship

- The Japanese Super Formula Championship is in the top category of Japanese formula racing.

- Through TRD, Toyota will supply the two-liter four-cylinder RI4A direct-injection gasoline turbo engine for 11 vehicles in six teams.

- All vehicles will be equipped with tires made by Yokohama Rubber.

9) Japanese Rally Championship

- Through participation in the Rally Championship, the greatest of all rallies in Japan, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will continue refining its people and its cars toward the creation of ever-better cars.

- The vehicle entered in the rally will be the TGR Vitz CVT. Toyota is pursuing the possibilities of CVTs by installing a motorsports-tuned CVT in a race vehicle. Toyota’s comprehensive participation will include staff acting as engineers and mechanics, and involvement ranging from vehicle production to racing.

10) Japan-based participatory motorsport events

In the hope of extending the enjoyment of driving to all, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will provide a full range of driving activities at venues around Japan in collaboration with the various regions and circuits, with increased support for people who would like to compete in participatory motorsport events such as races and rallies.

(1) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race
(organized by the Toyota Cars Race Association)

- The 86/BRZ Race started in 2013 and is a one-make race in which only Toyota 86Racing and SUBARU BRZ RA Racing compete in. Since 2015, the race has been divided into the Professional Series and the Clubman Series. While many professional drivers who have raced in the Super GT and Super Formula compete in the Professional Series, only amateur drivers are allowed to compete in the Clubman Series.

- In 2017, nine rounds will be held concurrently for each series at seven circuits throughout Japan.

- From this season, race-specific car insurance was made available with cooperation from Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd. in order to create an environment that makes it easier to participate.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race Schedule

*Two races will be held on the same day.

(2) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Netz Cup Vitz Race
(organized by the Toyota Cars Race Association)

- The Netz Cup Vitz Race is an amateur race open to anyone who drives a Vitz RS Racing and holds a class A license. It is a popular race with a consistently strong fan-base, which started in 2000 and will mark its eighteenth year in 2017. The race is held across Japan, with more than half of the participants being beginner racers, and many female drivers participating as well. In 2017, a total of 17 races will be held at seven circuits in five regions (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, and Western Japan), and the Grand Final will be held in TGRF².

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Netz Cup Vitz Race Schedule

Hokkaido Series

Tohoku Series

Kanto Series

Kansai Series

Western Japan Series

Special round

* Two races will be held on the same day.

(3)TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge
(organized by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Office)

- This is a competition suitable for those participating in a rally for the first time. Since it is a one-day rally held only on Sundays, entry is convenient. This rally is attractive to many beginners because the only requirement for entry is a class B license. To encourage participation by as many people as possible, twelve rounds are held across Japan.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Race Schedule

Eastern Series

Western Series

Special round

¹ Original round: Held by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing only
² Cup round: Held in combination with the All-Japan Rally, district rallies, etc.

(4) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Waku-Doki circuit events and sports driving lessons

- This year, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will again be providing a variety of lesson programs suited to the individual’s skill level, ranging from lessons which are designed to teach the basic vehicle operations of driving, turning, and stopping, to high-level practical driving techniques.

- In total, fourteen Regular Circuit Racing Programs designed for sports driving beginners will be held at circuits across Japan.

- As a step-up program, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will also offer sports driving lessons nine times at circuits across Japan. These events are aimed at drivers wanting to improve their sports driving proficiency, or for those who are planning to compete in one-make races or rallies.

- In addition, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will conduct a series of activities at Mega Web in Tokyo, enabling people to experience full braking and slalom driving, which seeks to provide opportunities to for all to experience motorsports more easily.

a. Full braking and slalom experience
These circuit events will provide a deeper understanding of vehicle behaviors associated with driving, turning, and stopping operations.

b. Regular circuit racing program
This program recreates the experience of circuit driving.

c. Sports driving lessons
Lessons will be provided to help drivers advance their skills and prepare for competition in events such as the Netz Cup Vitz Race and the 86/BRZ Race.

Full Braking and Slalom Experience at Mega Web

See the Mega Web website for event schedule (Japanese only):
http://www.megaweb.gr.jp/article/wakudoki_driving/

“Waku Doki” Circuit Events and Sports Driving Lesson Schedule

11) Driver development initiatives in Japan

(1) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program

- This program was started in 2015 with the goal of cultivating young rally drivers who will be able to compete on the world stage.

- Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai, who were selected through an audition held in 2015 and have been training and participating in rallies in Europe, will continue their activities in Europe under Tommi Mӓkinen’s guidance. For 2017, the two young drivers are scheduled to compete in a total of 14 races, including the WRC2 class in R5 cars, and hope to gain sufficient skills and mental strength to participate on the world stage.

- From 2017, co-drivers will also be trained.

- Sayaka Adachi will move up to compete in the Finnish Rally Championship. She is winner of the All-Japan Rally Championship for four consecutive years, and has worked with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to contribute toward boosting interest in rallies in Japan.

(2) Toyota Young Drivers Program (TDP)

- This program supports young drivers who hope to compete in top racing events around the world.

- The program is dedicated to identifying new talent, and provides a framework to hone the abilities of participants, depending on their particular strengths.

- Ryo Hirakawa will again compete in the European Le Mans Series.

- Ritomo Miyata, who won the FIA F4 Japanese Championship last year, will move up to compete in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship this year.

List of Toyota Young Drivers Program participants for 2017

2017 race schedules for Toyota Young Drivers Program graduates

Formula Toyota Racing School (FTRS)

- Formula Toyota Racing School provides a way for Toyota to conduct driving education and also expand its motorsports foundation through the discovery and cultivation of Japanese racing drivers who will one day be able to compete in top racing categories around the world.

- From 2017, support for race participation will be provided to the participants deemed to have the greatest driving potential.

Note: The 2017 FTRS schedule has not yet been determined.

FIA F4 Japanese Championship

- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will support young drivers competing in the FIA F4 Japanese Championship, which is the entry class formula category. Seven events and 14 races have been scheduled.

12) Five Continents Drive Project

- Toyota began its Five Continents Drive Project in Australia in 2014. Under this project, which is endorsed by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing with a focus on global motorsport activities, employees test Toyota vehicles by driving on diverse type of roads from around the world, gaining experience and knowledge of road conditions that cannot be predicted or replicated on test tracks. The understanding obtained in this exercise supports Toyota’s goal of creating ever-better cars, and cultivates expertise in employees. Toyota aims to use the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 as a milestone for the completion of this project.

- After finishing its North American leg in 2015, the project continued in Latin America in 2016. A total of around 110 Japanese and local employees drove over approximately 20,000 km of roads in seven countries. The employees drove on unpaved swampy roads in the tropics and high mountain roads at an altitude exceeding 5,000 m, which are unique to Latin America, as well as sandy terrain that are part of the Dakar Rally course.

- In 2017, the fourth year of the project is scheduled to continue on in the European continent. Employees plan to drive approximately 20,000 km in at least twenty countries over a period of about three months. Through experiencing a wide variety of cultures and climates, driving at high speeds on the Autobahn, and driving on a variety of roads unique to Europe, such as cobblestone city streets and mountain roads, the participants will refine their sensors for making ever-better cars in Europe, the birthplace of automotive culture.

13) Providing venues for car fans

- Toyota will promote initiatives to increase venues and opportunities for car enthusiasts to gather around vehicles and share their dreams, hopes, and enthusiasm for cars.

(1) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival

- This annual festival attracts a large number of car fans of everything from racing cars to well-cared personal cars. Toyota plans to hold the festival again this year.

(2) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Park

- With the goal of encouraging more people to become interested in cars, Toyota will hold a variety of events aimed at people of all ages.

(3) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WOMAN

- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Woman was established with the twin goals of helping women feel more comfortable with and enjoy motorsports, and supporting women who participate in motorsports. Various events will be held featuring content that tends to interest women, such as the Racer Fitness program held last year.

(4) TOYOTA GAZOO Racing exhibitions at custom car shows in Japan

- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing organizes displays at custom car shows in Japan, such as the annual Tokyo Auto Salon, which is held in January through March every year. These events enable Toyota to interact with car enthusiasts and incorporate feedback received from customers into product planning.