Toyota will launch a one-make race series built around its GR86 sports car in the United States in 2023.
The new series will be known as the GR Cup and will be operated by Toyota Gaju Racing North America. And Toyota announced Wednesday that there will be a total of $ 1 million and prizes in purses for possession during the opening season.
The GR Cup will be approved by the SRO America and will host seven rounds during the opening season, and if the US-based GR Cup proves popular, a similar series in the US could potentially open in other regions.
Several automakers currently offer one-make race races, although these are from foreign brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. As a result, entry costs tend to be steep.
2022 Toyota GR86
Toyota has not announced the cost for the GR Cup, but starting at মূল্য 28,695 for the 2022 GR86, including the destination, the cost of entering the GR Cup should be much more affordable than anything like the Ferrari Challenge or the Lamborghini Super Trofeo. This should make it a popular way for up-and-coming drivers to improve their skills before tackling the more challenging series.
The rear-wheel-drive GR86 is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 rated 228 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. Toyota quotes 0-60 miles per hour of 6.1 seconds with manual and automatically 6.6 seconds.
Race cars running in the GR Cup will not be fully stocked. The changes, which will be operated at TRD’s new facility in Moorsville, North Carolina, will include Bosch engine management, a Borla exhaust, SADEV 6-speed sequential transmission, Alcon brakes, JRI adjustable shock, OMP safety equipment and a roll cage. The suspension will include a custom McPherson strut, as well as custom bodywork for advanced aerodynamics, including a carbon-fiber rear wing.
Toyota says the program will enable its engineers to verify the GR86’s performance when pushed to the limit, and that the lessons learned will benefit the automaker in developing future sports cars.