Toyota/Rebellion Racing - Le Mans/ILMC/LMS - 2011 (merged)

[Jamesy-18]

I find it quite laughable that the only top line motorsport Toyota is in now is the joke that is NASCAR! Sells cars over there, but in Europe....not so much I'd say.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Jamesy-18

I find it quite laughable that the only top line motorsport Toyota is in now is the joke that is NASCAR! Sells cars over there, but in Europe....not so much I'd say.

They ended their F1 involvement at the end of last year. You can't expect from them to have a totally different project up and running. If they don't enter a major series (e.g. WTCC, DTM, LMS/Le Mans) in 2011 I agree with you.

[Matador]

I think it might be more likely that SARD or Dome will tackle Le Mans on behalf o Toyota......... I'm just wondering what the hell the Guys at cologne will be up too.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

I think it might be more likely that SARD or Dome will tackle Le Mans on behalf o Toyota......... I'm just wondering what the hell the Guys at cologne will be up too.

Not likely to me SARD or Dome.
Toyota has always have more success in europe with TTE, than with SARD or Dome (though Dome is likely to build the car).
I think we are going to here a presentation of a Toyota Le Mans program at Le Mans, or soon hear about a S2000 Toyota.

[cptkablamo]

Originally Posted by CTD

Not likely to me SARD or Dome.
Toyota has always have more success in europe with TTE, than with SARD or Dome (though Dome is likely to build the car).
I think we are going to here a presentation of a Toyota Le Mans program at Le Mans, or soon hear about a S2000 Toyota.

I actually think a S2000 Toyota could be on its way...there was an awful lot of effort to get the Neil Bates car homlogated for Rally Australia...factory development of that is a logical starting point I think.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by CTD

Not likely to me SARD or Dome.
Toyota has always have more success in europe with TTE, than with SARD or Dome (though Dome is likely to build the car).
I think we are going to here a presentation of a Toyota Le Mans program at Le Mans, or soon hear about a S2000 Toyota.

That'd be quite jolly.

[aeroehl]

What do you expect them to say? Yeah Dome has already built the thing and we are ready to go. See you next year. That is not how motorsport works.

[JAG]

I recall reading on DSC Porsche made major parts/manufacturing orders for the RS Spyder a good 6-12 months before the program was announced.

A number of journalists were also insistent there was no chance of a Porsche LMP practically until the thing hit the tracks.

[Tom908V12]

I hate this kind of communication: talking about Le Mans just because you want media/people to interest to you and in fact nothing more, you don't come finally(what Toyota is doing)

[Stefvh]

I think it's the opposite.

[Lola T70]

In my opinion there is too much smoke to have nothing behind it and Le Mans is a passion in Japan and a victory has eluded them.

Pascal Vasellon saying there is no Le Mans programme at TMG, they also thought they would be still in F1 days before Toyoda announced they were pulling out.

I would bet on 2011.

[joeb]

I wonder how much Toyota's recent road car issues are going to impact any decision to go LM racing. You could argue that the racing is important to demonstrate the abilities of the companies hybrid technology, heck even their "acceleration" technology could find a place in racing!

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

...heck even their "acceleration" technology could find a place in racing!

may work if the there were no chicanes on Mulsanne...the way they have described how to prevent a "run away" would be hell on the brakes!

[joeb]

In this article from AutoWeek, Toyota talks about their current and future racing plans. LeMans is not mentioned. Unless you consider this statement:

“I think the best kind of races are those in which people can get in close to the race.”

You can sure get close to the race in the ALMS, but that might be reading to much into things.

[GT6]

I think that is just wishful thinking but let us all hope

[CTD]

Originally Posted by joeb

In this article from AutoWeek, Toyota talks about their current and future racing plans. LeMans is not mentioned. Unless you consider this statement:

“I think the best kind of races are those in which people can get in close to the race.”

You can sure get close to the race in the ALMS, but that might be reading to much into things.

It's more likely Rally or smaller open wheel classes.
Unfortunately.

[Birddog07]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83726

Sounds like they may have a go at Touring Cars, Rally would be a warm welcome back, Sports Cars/Le Mans would be amazing.

[deggis]

http://feedmesportscars.com/node/7221

MotorsTV have reported that Toyota haven been helping the ACO shape the hybrid rules for ACO series by attending an ACO meeting on the subject.

Well... doesn't mean much at all.

[aeroehl]

that websites rumors don't usually pan out

[Fogelhund]

It has been said in other circles, that Toyota is kicking the can... now whether they actually decide to do something or not, and get board approval is a completely different subject.

[JAG]

One of the Eurosport commentators said TTE (I know they've changed their name) were in the paddock alongside Highcroft personnel, who themselves were making it known they'll be representing Honda next year.

Of course there's plenty of room for misunderstadnings as the commentator said he only overheard them.

[deggis]

What will happen to the facilities at Cologne? http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=370152

[deggis]

Originally Posted by JAG

making it known they'll be representing Honda next year.

[AUTOLEGEND]

What is TTE new name?

I also want to know what will happen to the Cologne facility as it would be a shame if Toyota got rid of it.

Toyota ran a WRC and Le Mans project from their in the 90's and i'm sure with the F1 development that place is one of the best in the world.

[skycafe]

looking at what happened over the weekend with all four Pugs, a car which had won the year before, and all four of which had outstanding pace to be able to lead all the way, left the race trailing one form of smoke or another. Each time a very visible and very abject failure, from a car that had won the year before and had been tested seemingly as completley as is possible. So, if you are Toyota, having built your image on great engineering in road cars, but now taking hits in every form of media (in some cases unwarranted in comparison to other makers) which is harming your enviable market share big time-do you at a board meeting dicsuss going to LeMans, where you have not enjoyed success, throwing tons of money at it? Do you do that after having seen Peugeot fall flat on their face? Is if worth the risk? I don't think Toyota can risk failing in a public way, and you could say that the engineering department could argue that they have the talent and resources to not fail, but a cynical board member or two would likely rebut that the same conversation had probably taken place at Peugeot and the results could be viewed on the internet.

If you want to get close to crowds and be 'exciting,' dump money into drifting. It is visable but at the same time really isn't a competition amongst manufacturers that I can see, except for some sort of 'cool factor,' which probably would sell as many cars to the youth crowd as a LeMans win. Seems to be what Nissan is doing?