About
Toyota Gazoo
“There are aspects of making ever-better cars that can only be realised via competing in the extreme environment of racing” Gazoo Racing began racing in the 24hr Nürburgring in 2007 with the above in mind. The race has been used to launch, test and refine high-performance models such as the Lexus LFA and the Toyota GT86. In 2019, Toyota Gazoo Racing entered two cars for the first time, the Lexus LC in the SP-Pro class, and the GR Supra in the SP8T class.
Introducing the teams
About 24hr Nürburgring
The 24-hour race spans 100 or more laps of the world famous Nürburgring. The race began in 1970 and has been referred to as the “Holy Land of New Car Development”. The race is run on a road like surface (as opposed to a racetrack surface) for manufacturers and professional drivers to put themselves to the test. The track is 25km long with over 170 corners and a 300m difference between its highest and lowest points.
Records & Achievements
Toyota Gazoo 24hr Nurburgring Record
About the vehicle
Lexus LC
Engine: V8
Drive Train: RWD
Transmission: Sequential paddle shift (MT)
Engine Type: 2UR-GSE (modified)
KYB Components Onboard
Suspension
EPS
Takeshi Tsuchiya
Born April 6th 1968 -Japan
He has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with Toyota Gazoo Racing since 2016. He started racing karts in 1990 and made his Japanese F3 debut in 1994. In 1995 he made his Japan GT Championship debut, and in 1999 he came 2nd in the Super GT300 Class Series. He raced GT500 Class in 2000-2009, and Formula Nippon in 2001-2008. In 2016, he was the Super GT GT300 Class Champion.
Takamitsu Matsui
Born Dec 15th 1987 – Japan
He has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with Toyota Gazoo Racing since 2015. In 2016, he became the Super GT GT300 Champion and was 2nd in the Super Taikyu Series ST4 Class with Toyota team Tom’s Spirit – also supported by KYB. In 2017, he was 5th at Super GT GT300 Class and became Super Taikyu ST4 Class Champion, again with Tom’s Spirit.
Naoya Gamo
Born April 25th 1983 – Japan
He has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with Toyota Gazoo Racing since 2013. He has competed in the FCJ, the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, Super GT GT300 and the Super Taikyu ST-4 Class. In 2017, he was 2nd in Super GT GT300 Class and became Champion at Super Taikyu ST4 Class with Tom’s Spirit- also supported by KYB.
Yuichi Nakayama
Born July 29th 1987 – Japan
He will race at Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with Toyota Gazoo Racing for the first time in 2018. In 2007, he won the Toyota young drivers programme (TDP) Scholarship. In 2008 he debuted in the FCJ, achieving 10 wins in the 2010 season. In 2013 he won Japanese F3 Championship with 11 wins. In 2012 he made his Super Formula Debut. From 2015, he has been racing in the Super GT GT300 and Super Taikyu ST3 class and ST-4 class for Tom’s Spirit- also supported by KYB.