TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Decides Not to Participate in 2020 Edition of Nurburgring 24 Hours
May 21 2020 - 1:19AM
JCN Newswire (English)
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has decided not to participate in the 48th
edition of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring Endurance Race (24 Hours of
Nurburgring), which is scheduled to take place September 24 to 27,
2020. Originally set to be held in May, the race was moved to
September as a result of COVID-19.
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24 Hours of Nurburgring in
2019 |
Since our inaugural participation in 2007, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has
competed in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring for 13 consecutive years,
and this race is the root of our activities in pursuit of "making
ever-better cars." Toyota mechanics and engineers had intended to
participate in this year's edition of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring
with a Lexus LC race car they created themselves and were
proceeding with the necessary preparations.
However, the global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in travel
restrictions and the TGR team did not have enough opportunities to
conduct driving tests in the Nurburgring on track, and this has had
a substantial impact on the development of the race car.
This year, the team was planning to run a new engine and peripheral
technologies in the Lexus LC. In the present circumstances,
however, and given how demanding the 24 Hours of Nurburgring is for
race cars, it would have proven more difficult for the team and the
race car to complete the 24 hours race in a safe manner. For these
reasons, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has decided not to participate in this
year's 24 Hours of Nurburgring. We apologize to our fans who are
always supporting us and who had been awaiting this year's 24 Hours
race, but ask for your understanding of our decision.
Nevertheless, the 24 Hours of Nurburgring continues to be the root
of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing activities, and its importance to our
organization remains unchanged. We therefore are committed to
resume participation in the race next year onward. Our decision not
to take part this year has freed up time, which we intend to use
effectively by beginning preparations early for next year's race.
We intend to do everything we can to ensure that we line up for the
2021 edition of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, which is set to be
held in June, with an even stronger team and car, and that we
fulfill the expectations of our fans. We very much appreciate your
continued support.
Akio Toyoda, President and Representative Director of Toyota Motor
Corporation
The other day, a friend who lives in Nurburg sent me a photograph
of the "Nurburg cherry blossoms"--beautiful flowers that bloomed
again this year. For the past 13 years, every year, the team and I
have prayed for safety and pledged to make ever-better cars in
front of those cherry blossoms before the race. We are unable to do
so this year, and my disappointment is immense.
Even in these adverse circumstances, and although I am far away in
Japan, while looking at the photograph I once again pledged to
continue making ever-better cars.
We have chosen not to participate in this year's race. However,
together with all our mechanics, engineers, professional drivers,
suppliers, sponsors, and partners, we will continue to take on the
challenges of making ever-better cars. It is my hope that all our
fans continue to watch over our activities and continue lending
their tremendous support.
About Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the global mobility company that
introduced the Prius hybrid-electric car in 1997 and the first
mass-produced fuel cell sedan, Mirai, in 2014. Headquartered in
Toyota City, Japan, Toyota has been making cars since 1937. Today,
Toyota proudly employs 370,000 employees in communities around the
world. Together, they build around 10 million vehicles per year in
29 countries, from mainstream cars and premium vehicles to
mini-vehicles and commercial trucks, and sell them in more than 170
countries under the brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. For
more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
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