Feb. 25, 2003
Toyota Announces Motorsports Activities and Plans for 2003
'The Challenge of Aiming for the Top'Focuses on F1, IndyCar and JGTC
Tokyo ― TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC), under the banner of “The Challenge of Aiming for the Top”, announced today its motorsports plans for 2003, which place competing in the top racing categories of the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), the IRL (Indy Racing League) IndyCar Series and the All Japan GT Championship (JGTC) as its three main pillars. TMC also plans to continue cultivating top drivers for the future and carrying out activities that serve to support the foundations of motorsports.
For F1, TMC has designated its second year as the “Year of Challenge” and is set take on the competition with the Toyota TF103―featuring the new RVX-03 engine, a new seven-speed gearbox and evolutionary advances in aerodynamic performance―and new drivers Oliver Panis and Cristiano da Matta. To mark its inaugural challenge in the IRL IndyCar Series, TMC, through TRD, U.S.A., Inc. (TRD-USA), will provide the Toyota Indy RV8I, a newly developed 3.5-liter normally aspirated V8 engine, to 10 cars among five teams, aiming for victory at Indy Japan (Motegi) and the legendary Indy 500. In the All Japan GT Championship Series, TMC will strive for both the driver’s and team titles by introducing to competing Supras a new 5.2L normally aspirated V8 engine―based on the 4.3-liter V8 engine (3UZ-FE) available on the Celsior and other commercially sold models.
TMC is also actively identifying new talent and providing drivers with training and experience both at home and in Europe through its Toyota Driver Development Program, which was put in place to continually cultivate top drivers over the long term.
To further support the foundations of motorsports, Toyota will contribute by sponsoring one-make races in Japan including the ESSO Formula Toyota Series and Netz Cup races (Vitz Series and Altezza Series). Toyota will continue its active contributions, including support for the CART Toyota Atlantic Series in the United States and the Yaris Cup in Europe.
The Motorsports Division of TMC’s Higashifuji Technical Center is currently in charge of Toyota’s overall motorsports activities, while Toyota Technocraft Co., Ltd./TRD in Japan, TRD-USA in the U.S. and Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) in Europe serve as local hubs for regional activities.
Summary of Activities and Support Plans
1.FIA Formula One World Championship (F1)
1.FIA Formula One World Championship (F1)
- Competing will continue as a full-constructor team in 2003, dubbed as the “Year of Challenge” for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team.
- Using the wind tunnel that became fully operational last July, the vastly aerodynamically evolved new Toyota TF103 F1 racecar will debut in the season’s opening race. The Toyota TF103 features a new seven-speed gearbox and the advanced RVX-03 engine, which balances reliability with improved performance, thanks to weight reduction, a lower center of gravity and increased power.
- Behind the wheel will be new drivers Olivier Panis (France) and Cristiano da Matta (Brazil). Together with reserved driver Ricardo Zonta (Brazil), the team is fully prepared on all fronts―racing, testing and development.
- In accordance with expansion of the project, plans include separation of the roles of “company management” and “team operations”, revision of the structure of its Engineering Group and the establishment of a Race & Test Engineering Department to further TMG’s organizational strength.
- Engines will be developed and provided through Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. (TMS) and TRD-USA to five teams for 10 cars participating in the IndyCar Series.
- The Toyota Indy V8, a new 3.5-liter normally aspirated V8 developed mainly by TRD USA, will be supplied to each team.
Teams to be provided engines and their drivers
| Team | Drivers |
| Marlboro Team Penske | Helio Castroneves (Brazil) |
| Gil de Ferran (Brazil) | |
| Target Chip Ganassi Racing | Scott Dixon (New Zealand) |
| Thomas Sheckter (South Africa) | |
| Kelly Racing | Al Unser Jr. (United States) |
| Scott Sharp (United States) | |
| Mo Nunn Racing | Toranosuke Takagi (Japan) |
| Felippe Giaffone (Brazil) | |
| A.J. Foyt Enterprises | A.J. Foyt IV (United States) |
| Shigeaki Hattori (Japan) |
3.All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship Series (JGTC)
- Toyota will support teams taking part in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship Series (JGTC), through Toyota Technocraft Co., Ltd. TRD. (TRD)
- Participating cars models will be the Supra (GT500 class), powered by a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine (3UZ-FE), and the MR-S and Celica (GT300 class), powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-charged engine (3S-GTE).
- The new 5.2-liter V8, based on the 4.3-liter V8 engine (3UZ-FE) available on the Celsior and other commercially sold models, was developed in pursuit of creating an engine of high performance, yet light, compact and with a low center of gravity.
Teams to be supported and their drivers (tentative)
| Class | Team | Driver |
| GT500 | ESSO TOYOTA Team LeMans | Jyuichi Wakisaka |
| Akira Iida | ||
| TOYOTA TEAM TOM'S | Takeshi Tsuchiya | |
| Takuya Kurosawa | ||
| (To be decided) | ||
| (To be decided) | ||
| TOYOTA TEAM Cerumo | Hironori Takeuchi | |
| Yuji Tachikawa | ||
| TOYOTA TEAM SaRD | Dominik Schwager | |
| Manabu Orido | ||
| ADVAN Racing Team | Seiji Ara | |
| Jeremie Dufour | ||
| KRAFT | Naoki Hattori | |
| Shigekazu Wakisaka | ||
| GT300 | (To be decided) | |
4.Other Support Activities
Japan
TMC will provide support in the categories detailed below through TRD, which is in charge of the design, development and production of competition vehicles and which will also provide technical support to teams using Toyota cars in the various categories. The new 5.2-liter V8, based on the 4.3-liter V8 engine (3UZ-FE) available on the Celsior and other commercially sold models, was developed in pursuit of creating an engine of high performance, yet light, compact and with a low center of gravity.
Japan
TMC will provide support in the categories detailed below through TRD, which is in charge of the design, development and production of competition vehicles and which will also provide technical support to teams using Toyota cars in the various categories. The new 5.2-liter V8, based on the 4.3-liter V8 engine (3UZ-FE) available on the Celsior and other commercially sold models, was developed in pursuit of creating an engine of high performance, yet light, compact and with a low center of gravity.
All Japan F3 Championship Series
- Support will go to teams participating in the All Japan F3 Championship Series
Teams to be supported and their drivers (tentative)
| Team | Driver |
| TOM'S | James Courtney (Australia) |
| TOM'S | Tatsuya Kataoka (Japan) |
| TOM'S | Wataru Kobayakawa (Japan) |
| NOW MOTORSPORTS | Hiroki Yoshimoto (Japan) |
| NOW MOTORSPORTS | Taku Banba (Japan) |
| INGING | Naoki Yokomizo (Japan) |
| INGING | Ronnie Quintarelli (Italy) |
ESSO Formula Toyota Series
Netz Cup Altezza Series and Vitz Series
This competition began in 2000, based on the concept of not just "watching" but "participating" in the action. So far, a total of approximately 4,300 people have competed (about 900 in the Altezza Series and 3,400 in the Vitz Series).
Support for other grass-roots activities
- TMC will hold the 10-race ESSO Formula Toyota Series for one-make formula races for the14th season since 1990.
- Attention is paid to helping drivers prepare for competition in higher categories by equipping the participating FT30 type vehicles with carbon composite chassis, radial tires and limited-slip differentials.
Netz Cup Altezza Series and Vitz Series
This competition began in 2000, based on the concept of not just "watching" but "participating" in the action. So far, a total of approximately 4,300 people have competed (about 900 in the Altezza Series and 3,400 in the Vitz Series).
- Altezza Series
- This seven-race series covers major circuits across the country.
- Vitz Series (for cars certified for use on public roads)
- A total of 27 races will be held in five regions (Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, western Japan and Hokkaido).
- Regional series winners will compete in the championship race.
Support for other grass-roots activities
- Support will go to teams participating in a variety of activities (Super Endurance Series, All Japan Rally Championship, All Japan Dirt Trial Championship and others).
- The Vitz one-make rally TRD Vitz Challenge (with a total of six races) will be held as an event aimed at making it possible for even beginners with a B-class license to compete.
- Support will go to the Toyota Motorsports Club (TMSC)
United States
In addition to competing in IRL, the following support activities will be conducted, mainly through TMS and TRD-USA.
One-make races will be held for cars based on the 1.3-liter Yaris (known as the Vitz in Japan), with six to eight races to be held among several European countries.
Toyota Driver Development Program
Basic Concept
This program is aimed at cultivating drivers to be able to compete in the top racing categories, both in Japan and in the world. It is dedicated to identifying new talent and to providing drivers with training and experience that will allow them to steadily move up the ranks.
Japan
Toyota/Yamaha Step Up System
In addition to competing in IRL, the following support activities will be conducted, mainly through TMS and TRD-USA.
-
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- 4.1-liter V6-equipped Celicas will compete in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series. Drivers will be Robert Huffman and others.
- A Tundra NASCAR Craftsman Truck race vehicle and a NASCAR-spec 5.8-liter V8 engine will be developed toward competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2004.
- Participation will come in the form of being the title sponsor for the 15th year and by supplying one-make-specification 1.6-liter engines (4A-GE) to approximately 30 cars in the series’ 12 races.
- Support will go to Johnny Greves, participating in a Tundra, and to Jeff Kincaid, participating in a Tacoma.
- Support will go to Cegwa Racing, participating in the Rolex Sports Car Series, in the form of 4.3-liter V8 engine supply.
- Support will go to Alan Johnson Racing and driver Bruce Sarver, participating in the Funny Car Series in a Celica.
CART Toyota Atlantic Championship
CORR (Championship Off Road Racing)
Grand America Road Racing (Grand Am)
NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Drag Racing
In the CART Championship Series, Toyota will sponsor the third race―the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach―for the 29th time since 1975.
Toyota will also sponsor the IRL IndyCar Series opening race at Homestead Miami Speedway and the 15th race at Fontana.
One-make races will be held for cars based on the 1.3-liter Yaris (known as the Vitz in Japan), with six to eight races to be held among several European countries.
Toyota Driver Development Program
Basic Concept
This program is aimed at cultivating drivers to be able to compete in the top racing categories, both in Japan and in the world. It is dedicated to identifying new talent and to providing drivers with training and experience that will allow them to steadily move up the ranks.
Japan
Toyota/Yamaha Step Up System
- Support will go to the Racing KART Project promoted by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and excellent drivers will be invited to attend the ESSO Formula Toyota Racing School (FTRS)
- Support for competing in the ESSO Formula Toyota Series will go to three drivers―Kamui Kobayashi (16), Kazuki Nakajima (18) and Kazuya Ohshima (15)―selected from the ESSO Formula Toyota Racing Scholl (FTRS) for top racing KART and Introductory Formula Series drivers (for competitors around the age of 18).
- Support in the form of an ESSO Toyota F3 Scholarship will go to ESSO Formula Toyota Series champion Wataru Kobayakawa (21), selected through trial and assessment of the series’ top drivers in 2002, to represent TOM’S in the All Japan F3 Championship.
- Support in the form of a Toyota F3 Scholarship will go to Tatsuya Kataoka, Wataru Kobayakawa, Hiroki Yoshimoto, Taku Banba and Naoki Yokomizo to compete in the All Japan F3 Championship.
- The ESSO Formula Toyota Racing School will be operated under the lead of Masanori Sekiya
- Training programs for scholarship recipients will be held to provide a wide variety of options including basic knowledge of racecars, driving theory, mental and physical training, etc.
- Preparations will continue for a new racing school for formula-class and touring-class car drivers (based at Fuji Speedway and scheduled to open in 2005).
- Support will go to Toranosuke Takagis competing in the IRL (Indy Racing League).
- Continued consideration will be made toward supporting excellent drivers competing in top categories.
- A Young Drivers Program by TMG will support activities aimed at nurturing future F1 drivers.
- Programs will cover theoretical knowledge of racecars and driving, mental and physical training, public relations and language training.
Drivers to be supported
| Driver | Category | Team |
| Ryan Briscoe (Australia) (21) | European F3 Marlboro Masters F3 |
Prema Powerteam |
| Katsuyuki Hiranaka (Japan) (21) | ||
| Frank Perera (France) (18) | Italian Formula Renault Formula Renault Eurocup |
|
| Kouhei Hirate (Japan) (16) | ||
| Roberto Streit (Brazil) (19) |
Reference
About Fuji Speedway
About Fuji Speedway
- Fuji Speedway will continue normal business operations until Monday, Sept. 15, 2003 (a national holiday), hosting all-Japan championship races and other major race events. From Sept. 16, the venue will suspend business operations, with the exception of specific areas, for approximately one and a half years.
- Currently, in concurrence with normal business operations, renewal work is beginning in stages, with progress being made as originally planned. The speedway is expected to fully reopen in April 2005.
