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Barbazza · 28 Jun 2010, 12:38

So, I have heard rumours of Toyota going back to WRC or Le Mans, or even going into WTCC. Even if posting in the Rallying forum might colour the results a bit, what do you think Toyota should do next?

**BertMk2** · 28 Jun 2010, 13:20

Tricky one really:

- The WRC as it stands is struggling, entries aren't good and the coverage is poor.
- IRC is feasible but again the profile isn't that great. Two "top level" rally championships surely aren't sustainable?
- WTCC seems to be going downhill, manufacturers are leaving. May be an option though if the car built for the WTCC can also be used in national touring car championships.

I don't really know enough about FIA GT or Le Mans to make a judgement, but I always struggle to see how investment in a Le Mans program pays off. It's one race a year. (I know the cars can be used elsewhere but again - there's not much coverage is there?)

GT6 · 28 Jun 2010, 13:34

Voted for le mans, but then as long as it is not F1 I am happy for then return to any top class motorsport

Barbazza · 28 Jun 2010, 13:44

Well, I voted WRC for old time's sake really. Agree completely that there are positives and negatives with all these championships (apart from FIA GT which I don't see having many positives tbh), so it's a hard choice.

schanche · 28 Jun 2010, 17:03

WRC for me no question!
Hopefully then someone can use similar car in Rallycross! develpment work could be done between each discipline

Makes sense to me!

NaBUru38 · 3 Jul 2010, 21:12

Lexus to DTM.

**Adam43** · 4 Jul 2010, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbazza

Well, I voted WRC for old time's sake really. Agree completely that there are positives and negatives with all these championships (apart from FIA GT which I don't see having many positives tbh), so it's a hard choice.

There were some lovely Toyota rally cars at Goodwood yesterday. The GTOne was on display too and that won me over again. You'd think that the guys in the Toyota PR would realise that everyone wants to see that go up the hill again.

They are going big with hybrid. Which is what they were pushing at Goodwood and at the recent Company Car In Action show. If Le Mans regs favour hybrid I guess they should do that.

However, if that is not the case, then rally is where they have the history and success. It is all year round too, which has to help from a marketing point of view.

Hopefully someone from Toyota will read this and take on board what the fans want.

Draco · 4 Jul 2010, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Lexus to DTM.

German bricks dont let lexus in dtm

Barbazza · 8 Jul 2010, 10:00

Well, maybe there are already some moves to start a new motorsport programme. I notice Toyota Motorsport in Germany is hiring various people: http://www.autosport.com/directory/appointments.html

This is just a few months after plenty of people with those qualifications were made redundant, so it is very intriguing to know why recruitment has started again so soon. New motorsport programme maybe?!?

Bentley03 · 8 Jul 2010, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I don't really know enough about.......or Le Mans to make a judgement, but I always struggle to see how investment in a Le Mans program pays off. It's one race a year. (I know the cars can be used elsewhere but again - there's not much coverage is there?)

In 2011, Le Mans becomes a points scoring round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. The ACO are upping the ante and hoping the manufacturers will fall into line to make 'factory' level endurance racing, under the Le Mans banner, global.

Time will tell if the ACO's dreams turn into reality, but this appears to provide the manufacturers (potentially) with far better value for their investment.

**Adam43** · 8 Jul 2010, 11:06

And it looks like it will have a race in Japan too.

Bentley03 · 8 Jul 2010, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

And it looks like it will have a race in Japan too.

Sure does......

Provisional 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup schedule:
1. Sebring 12 hours (March) *
2. Spa 1000km (May) *
3. 24 Hours of Le Mans (June)
4. Silverstone 1000 km (September)*
5. Petit Le Mans, Atlanta (September - October)*
6. Mount Fuji 1000 km (end of October)
7. 6 hours of China at a not yet designated Chinese track (mid November)
* still to be confirmed.

**Adam43** · 8 Jul 2010, 11:47

Spa is just down the road from Cologne!

Throw Monza in there and it is looking pretty good.

Barbazza · 8 Jul 2010, 16:08

That's interesting because as far as I know, Toyota owns Fuji Speedway. Is that right? It would seem odd to bring a race to your private track if you were not involved in any way.

**Adam43** · 8 Jul 2010, 18:07

I think they should go to Suzuka. Surely people would prefer to go there.