Toyota at le mans

[designndrive62]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95341

While all the other series seem to be losing entries Le mans seems to be getting inundated!

Didn't think Toyotas return was untill 2013 along with Porsche and Jag but the sooner the better! Here's hoping they will be competetive from the off. Any speculation on the likely driver combos?

[shoestring7]

Unfinished business for Toyota, surely.

Mind you, entering when their are strong factory teams from Porsche, Audi & Peugeot is going to make it addtionally hard for them. Winning Le Mans is probably the most difficult target in racing.

SS7

[paulmurr]

Huge marketing opportunity for their hybrid systems too.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Quick Nick surely for the seat?

Missed Le Mans this year- hoping next year is a cracker.

[ArnageWRC]

Great news, another Manufacturer entry in the top LMP1 class!! Just what the sport needs, was getting quite predictable with Audi v Peugeot. Also, another sign that the new for 2012 WEC seems to be justified.

Personally, as a Rallying & Sportscar fan, it’s mixed news – Toyota in Japan wanted a Sportscar program, while the old TTE facility in Cologne, wanted a Rally program. Seems the WEC/Sportscar program was more attractive…

[xspencex]

Great to see Toyota back in top line motorsport. As much as I loved seeing them on the grid last time with the GT-One, it wasn't quite the success they all thought it would be.

I'm really happy that there'll be competition for the diesels. . .

Also I think these campaigns will flush out the older drivers from F1, I can see at least 3 leaving F1 in the next year or two to compete with these factory Le Mans teams in LMP1.

[zac510]

This is great news for sportscars.

[robmlufc]

xspencex said:

Great to see Toyota back in top line motorsport. As much as I loved seeing them on the grid last time with the GT-One, it wasn't quite the success they all thought it would be.

I'm really happy that there'll be competition for the diesels. . .

Also I think these campaigns will flush out the older drivers from F1, I can see at least 3 leaving F1 in the next year or two to compete with these factory Le Mans teams in LMP1.

Scumacher and Webber both have unfinished business at Le Mans

[spunkytherabbit]

Henry Fiddleton said:

Quick Nick surely for the seat?

Missed Le Mans this year- hoping next year is a cracker.

Seriously? To do what? Fall asleep at the wheel and drive really slow?! The man's racing career is over. He was employed to be a decent approximation of Kubica and develop the car this year. But he did his usual, went like stink in testing when he thought it really mattered then fell asleep when he got comfortable. And got the sack.

Deservedly so too in my opinion given what he was employed for. Toyota would be a fool to employ him.

Edited by spunkytherabbit on Friday 14th October 13:48

[TonyHetherington]

paulmurr said:

Huge marketing opportunity for their hybrid systems too.

Indeed - and I imagine car companies can see benefit in LMP vs F1, because of the ability to use systems that they can directly relate to their cars.

I imagine they've seen the huge positive angle that Audi (and Peugeot) diesels have had, and they want their hybrid approach (with Prius in there too, of course) to have the same halo.

[robmlufc]

They get a nice year head start on the Porsche Hybrid too! Interesting this came the same week the ACO announced new Diesel regulations.

[weyland yutani]

It's a shame Trulli resigned with Lotus for next year. I think he's past it in F1 but a sportcar career with his former employers could be a good move.

[zac510]

robmlufc said:

They get a nice year head start on the Porsche Hybrid too! Interesting this came the same week the ACO announced new Diesel regulations.

It's clear now why the ACO have seemed to have been working to create a bit more of a distinct gap between P1 and P2 as separate manufacturers and privateers. Although it was always intended to be that way anyway.

[Stack]

I always remeber Toyota at LeMans with this car in Taka -Q & Minolta colours & not that ghastly GT-one ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mendaman/4570796523/