GAZOO Racing participated with the GR Supra in the 24 Hours of Nrburgring in Germany for the first time recently, and performed well under demanding conditions to complete the race third in the SP8T class . MORIZO, otherwise called as Toyota President Akio Toyoda, was one of the four drivers to take the wheel of the No. 90 GR Supra during the 47th edition of the continuance race, which denoted a profoundly critical anniversary for the GAZOO Racing squad.

This year's first qualifying session was influenced by an abrupt thunderstorm. The climate had cleared by the second session, yet high temperatures soon brought on severe conditions for both the vehicles and their drivers. The No. 90 GR Supra started from 99th spot on the grid among a sum of 158 vehicles that attanged for the 24-hour race. MORIZO was the first driver for the GR Supra, and was trailed by his colleagues Masahiro Sasaki, Uwe Kleen, and Herwig Daenens.

The No. 90 GR Supra made a good begin and steadily raised its position. In any case, the soaring temperatures negatively affects on majority of the vehicles, resulting in multiple collisions across the course. Thereafter, the race became one of survival. It was at this time that the GR Supra made contact with a competitor vehicle. Luckily, the team was able to continue, with the vehicle running easily into the following day.

The second day of the race occurred on 23 June, a date that is written in the history of GAZOO Racing. Mr. Hiromu Naruse, the master driver of Toyota who co-launched GAZOO Racing and was MORIZO's former driving teacher, passed away suddenly on the outskirts of Nrburgring nine years ago on this date. At this years 24 Hours of Nrburgring, it became a special day for Akio Toyoda and the GAZOO Racing team, as running with the new Supra had long been Toyoda's dearest wish.

Toyoda, who was Vice President at the time, set up GAZOO Racing with the objective of making ever-better cars and begun his driver training at the Nrburgring in 2001. However, the following year, production of the Supra was suspended. This remained a source of extraordinary lament for Toyoda, who was determined to restore the Supra and refine it on the rigorous Nrburgring roads before launching it into the world.

Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, commented: First of all, I'd like to thank everybody. Today is a day of remembrance for Mr. Naruse's passing. At the time of Mr. Naruse's funeral, I resolved to stay on this path, alongside a handful of passionate people who wanted to continue doing this with me. Our GAZOO Racing activities have continued through the great support of growing numbers of people to bring us to this point today. And as a matter of fact, this event has taken a central place in our continued activity of making ever-better cars and developing human resources.

The Nrburgring circuit offers 170 corners of varying lengths and a maximum elevation difference of 300 meters; it has been said that the circuit consolidates the worlds roads into a single course, making it the ultimate vehicle demonstrating ground. The extended nature of the 24 Hours of Nrburgring race also allows engineers to supplement clinical machine data with the subjective analysis of experienced master drivers, who can provide more nuanced, emotion-led feedback.

GAZOO Racings Hideyuki Tanaka, Chief Mechanic for the Supra, stated: For the GR Supra, the longest race we had encountered until now was just four hours, so I am happy that we finished 24 hours for the first time. Our drivers and many supporters helped us to accomplish it. I am loaded with gratitude and I want to thank everyone.

Over the years, Toyota has been taking part in many different forms of motorsport, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nrburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyotas participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established GAZOO Racing, to consolidate all of its motorsport activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyotas belief that the roads build the people, and the people build the cars, GR highlights the role of motorsport as a fundamental pillar of Toyotas commitment to making ever-better cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsport events, GR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.

Race Notes:

No. 90 GR TOYOTA Supra (Masahiro Sasaki, Uwe Kleen, Herwig Daenens, MORIZO)
o Position: 3rd (SP8T class)
o No. of Laps: 137