Toyota Gazoo Racing: Where Passion Meets the Road
If you’ve ever wondered how a car company becomes a motorsport legend while still making everyday drivers smile, Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) is the answer. Born from a love of speed, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of “ever-better cars,” GR isn’t just a racing division—it’s a philosophy that’s as wild as the roads it conquers. Let’s dive into what makes this team so special.
The Heart of GR: “Roads Build People, and People Build Cars”
At the core of Toyota Gazoo Racing is a simple yet powerful idea: roads teach us how to build better cars. For over 60 years, Toyota has used motorsports as a testing ground, pushing vehicles to their limits on rally stages, endurance circuits, and desert dunes. The knowledge gained from these extreme conditions trickles down to the cars we drive daily, making them safer, more reliable, and—let’s be honest—way more fun 15.
Take Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s chairman and GR’s “Master Driver.” He doesn’t just approve designs from a boardroom—he races in rallies, tests prototypes, and even competes in the grueling 24 Hours of Nürburgring. His mantra? If you want to build great cars, you need to feel the road firsthand 13.
From Garage Dreams to Global Dominance
GR’s story started humbly. In 2007, Akio Toyoda and legendary test driver Hiromu Naruse entered the Nürburgring 24 Hours under the name “Team Gazoo” (derived from the Japanese word for “image”). With a shoestring budget and used cars, they aimed to prove that racing could refine both drivers and machines. That spirit of hands-on learning became GR’s DNA 510.
Fast-forward to today, and GR is a motorsport powerhouse:
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World Rally Championship (WRC):
Dominating with the GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid, GR has clinched multiple titles, including a thrilling 2024 season where they defended their manufacturers’ crown 811.
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Dakar Rally:
In 2025, GR scored a 1-2 finish, proving their GR Hilux T1+ is as tough as the deserts it races through 1.
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Le Mans 24 Hours:
Toyota’s hybrid Hypercars, like the GR010, have rewritten endurance racing history with six consecutive wins 26.
Cars That Make You Grin
GR’s road cars are where racing tech meets everyday life. These aren’t just souped-up Toyotas—they’re born from years of track-tested innovation:
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GR Supra:
Co-developed with BMW, this iconic coupe blends German engineering with Japanese precision.
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GR Yaris:
A rally-bred hatchback with a turbocharged engine and rally-inspired AWD—proof that small cars can be mighty 25.
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GR Corolla:
Built for the U.S. market, it’s a turbocharged love letter to hot hatch fans 2.
Each model is crafted at the “GR Factory,” where technicians assemble cars by hand, ensuring every detail meets racing standards 25.
Racing for a Better Tomorrow
GR isn’t just about speed—it’s about sustainability too. Their hybrid race cars, like the GR Yaris Rally1, use technology that reduces emissions without sacrificing power. Even their Nürburgring 24 Hours entries focus on reusing parts and materials to minimize waste 11. Plus, GR supports para-athletes, adapting motorsport tech for hand bikes and racing wheelchairs 6.
What’s Next?
In 2025, GR is doubling down on its global reach. The North American division rebranded as Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA), bringing NASCAR, NHRA, and Formula Drift under the GR banner 7. New talents like Finland’s Sami Pajari are joining the WRC team, while Akio Toyoda continues to race—and inspire—as “Morizo” 18.