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 will enter two cars, 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
Tyres: RWD
KYB Components Onboard
Suspension
EPS
Takeshi Tsuchiya
Born April 6th 1968 – Japan
Since 2016 he has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. 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 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 3rd 1968 – Japan
Since 2015, he has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. In 2007, he started racing at FCJ and Formula TOYOTA Series. In 2014 he raced Super Taikyu Series ST4 Class with GAZOO Racing SPIRIT 86. In 2016, he won SUPER GT GT300 Class Champion and was 2nd in the Super Taikyu Series ST4 Class with TOYOTA Team TOM’s SPIRIT 86. In 2017, he was 5th at SUPER GT GT300 Class and became Super Taikyu ST4 Class Champion.
Naoya Gamo
Born April 25th 1983 – Japan
Since 2013 he has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. He has competed in the FCJ since 2008 and Japanese F3 Championship in 2010. He has raced at Super Taikyu Series ST4 Class since 2012 with GAZOO Racing SPIRIT 86.
In 2013, he won the 4th Round of Super Taikyu ST4 Class and 86/BRZ Race at the same round in Okayama. Since 2014, he has been racing at various categories including SUPER GT GT300 Class, Super Taikyu ST4 Class, and GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race, and has several wins every year. In 2017, he was 2nd in SUPER GT GT300 Class and became Champion at Super Taikyu ST4 Class.
Yuhki 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 FCI. In 2010, he won pole position at 12 races and achieved 10 wins. In 2011 he stepped up to Japanese F3-N Class. In 2013 he won Japanese F3 Championship with 11 wins. In 2012 he made his Super Formula Debut.
From 2015, he has been racing at SUPER GT GT300 Series and Super Taikyu ST3 class, and he has been winning every year until 2017.