REVIVAL OF RACING IN JAPAN
Toyota re-entered the circuit racing scene in the 1980s, capitalising on its renewed popularity in Japan. Toyota Team TOM’S spearheaded the resurgence and guided Toyota’s involvement in endurance sportscar racing both in Japan and Europe.
In 1982 the World Endurance Championship (WEC) hosted a round at the Fuji circuit, helping revive popular interest. The new Group C category emphasised fuel efficiency and this, too, contributed to drawing support from Toyota and other manufacturers.
Toyota supported the TOM’S and Dome teams with a works-tuned engine from 1983 and in 1985 Dome claimed victory in the Suzuka 500km event. Although Toyota’s name was not in the forefront of competition, it was working internationally and focusing on participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Toyota’s Le Mans efforts moved up a gear in 1988 with the launch of the 88CV, which deployed a 3.2-litre V8 engine in a Toyota-designed chassis. In 1989 it extended its activities from Le Mans to contest the sportscar world championship and in 1990 the 3.6-litre 90C-V finished sixth at Le Mans, Toyota’s best result yet.
International Group C rules were changed in 1991, requiring cars to use a normally-aspirated 3.5-litre engine – the same as for Formula 1 cars of the day – later reduced to three-litre capacity. To take advantage of the new regulations, Toyota set about developing the TS010, powered by a 3.0-litre V10. The car made its competition debut in the final round of the 1991 WEC season.
A full World Sportscar Championship campaign was launched in 1992, with Hitoshi Ogawa and Geoff Lees winning the opening race at Monza. In spite of many close battles, including a second-place finish at Le Mans, this was to be the TS010’s only victory. Operations were scaled down for 1993, with the car only contesting the Le Mans race.
Toyota went on to concentrate on the GT category, but in 1994 took advantage of the opportunity for Group C cars to compete at Le Mans, entering the TS010 with an updated turbo V8 engine through the Sard and Trust teams. The Sard entry dominated the closing stages of the race, but was forced out with gearbox problems.
