TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy ready for its first ‘Supra Season’

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy proved to be a success in 2019 with an increased number of participants compared to its debut season and close competition right until the end. In the final weeks of the championship, German rally ace Hermann Gassner Jr (TOYOTA GT86 CS-R3) marched ahead and beat Belgian racing drivers Olivier Muytjens and Jacques Derenne (both TOYOTA GT86 CS-Cup) to claim his second title in a row.

On 1 March 2020, the third season of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy has begun, and it welcomes a new member to the family. The all-new GR Supra GT4 is now also a part of the Trophy in 2020 alongside the three GT86 models (CS-Cup, CS-V3 and CS-R3). The new race car, featuring a 430bhp three-litre six-cylinder engine, was developed by the TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) over the last year and will soon receive its GT4 homologation.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy will allow drivers of the four TMG customer motorsport cars to score points in any racing or rally events across Europe between 1 March and 30 November 2020, with the 10 best results counting for the championship. While the concept of points being awarded in relation to the size of the grid and length of the event has been proven in principle, the organisers have done some fine-tuning. In 2020, every driver which sees the chequered flag in his race or rally, will receive points. Furthermore, there will be a championship bonus of 50 points for those entrants who are able to win their respective title. While the entry to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy is cost free, TMG offers a total prize money of EUR 55,000 to the top five drivers with EUR 25,000 going to the winner.

On top of this, TOYOTA Deutschland GmbH offers additional prize money for teams racing in Germany. The local importer provides EUR 750 on each race weekend of the ADAC GT4 Germany and the same amount is on offer at each round of the German Rally Championship (DRM). A total of EUR 1,000 will be given to the best Trophy participant at each race of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, formerly known as VLN. Participation in the ADAC Total 24h Nürburgring race is particularly attractive. Here, the best GR Supra GT4 and the best TOYOTA GT86 team will each be awarded with EUR 5,000. Finally, TOYOTA Deutschland will also reward the best GT86 taking part in the German WRC round, the Rally Deutschland.

Rob Leupen, Managing Director of TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH, said: “We have high hopes for the debut of the GR Supra GT4. This will make the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy more attractive for potential participants and the competition more international than in 2019. The slight modifications made to the points system are intended to reward the drivers' performances in a more differentiated manner. So we are looking forward to an even bigger and more exciting TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy 2020.”

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Trophy and its partners RAVENOL, PFC and IKmedia are looking forward to the start of the new season. RAVENOL is the official lubricants partner of both the GT86 models and the new GR Supra GT4 and new cars will be equipped with RAVENOL products. PFC Brakes will again offer special conditions on its high-performance brakes to all Trophy participants.

Copyright-free, high-resolution images of the TMG’s motorsport activities are available from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s global media website www.tgr-dam.com.

About TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH:

TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) has been based in Cologne, Germany since 1979 and built its reputation in motorsport, beginning with two decades of FIA World Rally Championship success. TMG’s facilities and capabilities expanded significantly during its time in Formula 1 (2002-2009). Since the end of that era, TMG has combined works motorsport participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship with research and development support for TOYOTA Motor Corporation and a thriving business as a supplier of high-performance services to the automotive and motorsport sectors. Additionally, TMG has built a growing customer motorsport business covering activities in rally and circuit racing, with all activities inspired by TMG’s vision of Creating Excitement Through Team Spirit and Advanced Technology. www.racingbytmg.com

Media contacts:

TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH

Sebastian Klein Senior Coordinator Communications

Tel: +49 (0)2234 / 1823 - 1499

E-Mail: sebastian.klein@toyota-motorsport.com

IKmedia GmbH

Oliver Schielein Managing Director

Zoran Vucenovic Head of Marketing I Motorsport

Tel: +49 (0)911 / 570320 - 0

E-Mail: info@tgr-trophy.com