Toyota Return to Rally
And That's a Bigger Deal Than You Think.
I have a very love/hate relationship with Toyota. Sometimes, they can get things SO right. Celica ST205, the GT-One, the prodigal son of the car enthusiast world that was the GT86. And then, they balance that fantastic recipe for an amazing car by releasing a million and one boring cars. I'm looking at you, Avensis and Auris. The whole 'Toyota = Boring' cliché has been played out more times than I can count. It actually became a running joke between me and my media teacher back in High School (and by running joke I mean I just basically gave her abuse) that anytime something went wrong or an opinion differed between the two of us, 'Yeah well you drive a Toyota so that says it all' became a recurring phrase.
Hur dur, they don't make them like they used to, et cetera. Photo Credit: Toyota
But, every Camry, Avensis and generic beige-mobile that they sell, puts money in the piggy for Toyota to do something they excel at - Motorsports. And by 'excel', I mean 'Try oh so damn hard and come oh so close'.
During what I call the 'Great Toyota depression of the 2000s' (basically, nothing very exciting or successful happened, and don't even get me started on that God-awful F1 campaign), a lot of people lost faith in Toyota. The MR2 had gone. The Celica had gone. The Supra had gone. Car enthusiasts had no reason to bother with Toyota any more. There was nothing exciting, nothing inspiring, nothing truly great. Of course, there was the failed attempt at a youth market brand (Scion), but even Toyota knew that their own buyers were old and had no desire for a fun, compact sporty car. They were quite happy in their V6 Camrys, and it was lining Toyota's pockets, so why bother changing?
The Yaris RS was pretty much the last 'fun' Toyota until the GT86 came along, if you ask me. Photo: Toyota
You may be thinking, 'This is very negative, why are you so bothered about Toyota being in rallying then?' I often get asked that question, and let me explain - If there is one company that gives motorsport absolute dedication no matter the odds, it's Toyota. Despite usually always being the underdogs, Toyota still always give it their all. One prime example of this, and it's a very, VERY sore subject for me to talk about, is Le Mans 2016.
Tomo PattisonIf you go to a dictionary and it has pictures, beside the word "disappointment' you will see a photo of the TS050.
"Oh here we go", sighs the people that know me. Yes, Le Mans 2016. Le Mans 2016, and the Toyota TS050 Hybrid Race Car. I stayed up for the entirety of that race, because for some strange reason (which is probably linked to the Toyota GT-One of Gran Turismo fame) I have a strong love of Toyota's Le Mans efforts. We were the rank outsiders - Audi and Porsche were the obvious favourites, and Toyota were running an essentially unchanged 2015 car, and everyone pretty much ruled them out of the running altogether. Yet somehow, they were winning, with one Porsche down and the Audis nowhere to be seen, and it was looking sure to be a victory. Yet, in the very last minute, the winning Toyota suffered complete electronic failure. It coasted for a while but it was not to be, and the last Porsche crossed the line in first place. Total heartbreak ensued, and everyone, including Porsche, admitted that it 99% should have been a Toyota victory, but it was not to be. I'm pretty sure that if you go to one of those dictionaries that supposedly have photos (I'm convinced they don't exist but the expression lives on), beside the word 'Disappointment' you will see a photo of the Toyota TS050 Hybrid stopped at the side of the track.
Disappointment. The very last lap, amidst defeat. Photo credit: Motorsport.com
But, in true Toyota spirit, they've said they'll be back again. After numerous entries to Le Mans and coming so, so close to victory only to have it snatched from them, they just don't give up. It's this fighting spirit that Toyota Team Europe (now known as Toyota Gazoo Racing) has and have always had that makes me love them so much.
So what's this got to do with Rallying? Well, nothing really. Le Mans and Rallying are two very, very different disciplines. But, Toyota has an illustrious history in both.
Where it all began, the TA22 Celica. Photo: Toyota
Way back in the 70s, before I was even twinkle in the earth's existence, Toyota defied all odds as a newcomer to be very successful in Rallying, in their Celica TA22. And for the next 20-odd years, they would keep on fighting for championships, when rallying was at the height of it's fame, driving different variations of the Celica, usually sponsored by Castrol, and onto the Corolla in '98. After some, shall we say, 'controversy' regarding Turbos in the Celica ST205, spirits were slightly dampened and by the end of the '99 season Toyota had enough of the rallying world (along with the Le Mans world) and set out on their F1 efforts.
That is, until next year. Toyota has announced their return to rallying, and they're bringing this: the frankly insane looking Yaris WRC. Just look at it.
Photo Credit: Toyota
It looks like if you asked a child to turn mummy's hatchback into an absolute animal. If Toyota carry on their Le Mans spirit into the world of rallying, we will have a lot to look forward to. Rallying, Le Mans, a fun and affordable rear wheel drive car on sale, and a new Supra on the horizon?
Welcome back, 90s Toyota. We Missed you. Never change.
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Comments (1)
Yay?!