November 12, 201312 yr Author comment_671605 http://www.wrc.com/news/toyota-unveils-new-wrc-eligible-rally-car/?fid=19348 Toyota Motorsport is developing a rally version of the GT86 sports car that will be eligible to compete in the World Rally Championship. The car, known as the TMG GT86 CS-R3, will be built to R3 regulations, with a 2000cc boxer engine, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed sequential gearbox. It will be made available to private competitors, with delivery expected for the 2015 season. The car will be built by Toyota’s german-based motorsport division, Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), the company that masterminded Toyota’s successful WRC programme in the 1980s and 1990s, securing four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ WRC titles. Nico Ehlert, TMG’s principal engineer customer motorsport, said: “Rallying is in our blood at TMG so it is very exciting to announce that we will be expanding our rally operations. The GT86 CS-R3 promises to be a thrilling car on the rally stages; with rear-wheel drive we can expect some dramatic action which is sure to be entertaining for drivers and fans alike.” In a statement, Toyota Motorsport said today’s announcement ‘strengthens TMG’s commitment to customer motorsport and rallying, both of which represent key aspects of its long-term business strategy.’ Report
November 13, 201312 yr comment_671735 Pity it's not going to be a proper WRC-class car (and thus run in the main series), but I suppose that would necessitate them going to a 1.6L turbo and AWD to meet the modified Super2000 rules that the WRC class runs, whereas R3 runs 1600-2000 NA 2WD Report
November 14, 201312 yr comment_671806 They neglect to say that this is the same outfit that was busted cheating in a huge way in the 90's and then stopped competing? Report
November 14, 201312 yr comment_671811 They neglect to say that this is the same outfit that was busted cheating in a huge way in the 90's and then stopped competing? Cheating scandal was at the end of '95 (team was banned for '96 but the cars still raced) with the ST205, they returned mid '97 with the Corolla and got second in both the driver's and manufacturer's championship in '98, and won the manufacturer's in '99 (third in driver's) before pulling up stumps and focusing on Formula 1... And let us never mention that again... Report
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