6 hours of Fuji; Toyota TS030 Hybrid (Shanghai win!)
10-14-12, 01:10 AM
#22
Pole Position
I'm just thinking about how this hybrid tech could trickle down to mainstream production performance cars. Who says hybrid can't be sporty?
10-14-12, 07:31 PM
#23
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Awesome result! At home too at their Toyota owned Fuji Track. This must spark some other interest for other Japanese Makes to run the WEC! To see that Toyota can jump in and be competitive and win 2 out of the first 5 events they ran is amazing. Of course, their TMG facilities are top notch and probably second to none, but Honda and Nissan should really consider this series. On to Shanghai, China in two weeks.
More here with drivers quotes- http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/th...toyota-racing/
More here with drivers quotes- http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/th...toyota-racing/
10-14-12, 07:41 PM
#24
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Great Result Toyota!!
Glad to see them becoming a threat to Juggernaut Audi in LMP1.
It helps that ex. F1 drivers Kaz Nakajima and Alex Wurz know the Fuji circuit very well but also that the TS030 was able to maintain it's great pace all throughout.
Glad to see them becoming a threat to Juggernaut Audi in LMP1.
It helps that ex. F1 drivers Kaz Nakajima and Alex Wurz know the Fuji circuit very well but also that the TS030 was able to maintain it's great pace all throughout.
10-14-12, 08:50 PM
#25
Awesome result! At home too at their Toyota owned Fuji Track. This must spark some other interest for other Japanese Makes to run the WEC! To see that Toyota can jump in and be competitive and win 2 out of the first 5 events they ran is amazing. Of course, their TMG facilities are top notch and probably second to none, but Honda and Nissan should really consider this series. On to Shanghai, China in two weeks.
More here with drivers quotes- http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/th...toyota-racing/
More here with drivers quotes- http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/th...toyota-racing/
It is also very expensive, it takes $80 mil per year at least for full entry, without the starting costs. So, thats why Audi was almost left alone this year. I doubt Nissan or Honda would go in there.
10-15-12, 12:44 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
You're not telling me anything new. The 80 million is in british pounds, so it's probably over 100 million dollars. But I doubt that budget is over one year. They've been planning and making the car for a couple years now. They started interest before they even left F1. The hybrid system is an updated version of the one used by the Hybrid Supra that won the Tokachi 24hour race. To me it's not surprising that they won a race. As soon as LeMans rolled by, I knew they'd be capable of winning against Audi. The fact they overtook Audi on track in their first race is one of those reasons.
You may doubt Honda and Nissan want to race there, but it's a fraction of the budget for F1, and Honda is looking at a return to F1. Nissan and Honda already have LMP2 with engines and Honda have a Wirth Research designed LMP1 HPD. So technically, they're already part of the way there.
You may doubt Honda and Nissan want to race there, but it's a fraction of the budget for F1, and Honda is looking at a return to F1. Nissan and Honda already have LMP2 with engines and Honda have a Wirth Research designed LMP1 HPD. So technically, they're already part of the way there.
10-19-12, 05:13 AM
#27
Pole Position
Kobayashi just lost his seat in F1 due to lack of sponsors, maybe this is a perfect opportunity for Toyota WEC team to pick up the finest japanese race driver there is today. Get him in the another car!
10-19-12, 11:57 AM
#29
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Where'd you get that information? Sauber hasn't confirmed their driver lineup for 2013, so Kobayashi may still be with the team. If he isn't, another F1 team may pick him up before he decides to try for Toyota's LMP1.
10-19-12, 02:03 PM
#30
Pole Position
Gutierrez is getting some practice next month, Sauber renewed their relationship with TelMex and Hulkenberg is confirmed. That's about a wrap if you ask me but I could be wrong. Shame for Koba really, he could have been there in McLaren.