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In the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) World Rally Team (WRT) showcased exceptional prowess at Rally Poland. Achieving remarkable one-two places, the team underscored its supremacy and competitive edge in this rigorous global rally event.
Toyota Rally Team Triumphs Again in Motorsports!
After Rally Poland 2024 concluded, World Champion Kalle Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen clinched first place in the No. 69 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle, despite minimal pre-race preparation. Following closely behind, driver Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin secured second place in their No.33 GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
On this memorable occasion, Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: "This was the first event in Poland since 2017, when Toyota came back to WRC. I sincerely appreciate Kalle and Jonne for accepting the team's sudden request and driving with the strong intention of supporting the team. They surprised us by achieving such a great result, doing the maximum preparation possible in a very short amount of time."
Toyoda added: “Lastly, I am really thankful to Elfyn and Scott for securing the valuable second place! Thanks to them, TGR was able to achieve a one-two finish. I believe that achieving a one-two finish in this rally, which marks the halfway point of the season, is very meaningful towards the manufacturers' title."
He further remarked: "They have been strong in our home rallies, so I am expecting their strong performance in the second half of the season, which includes our home rallies in Finland and Japan! The team will continue to fight together in the second half of the season."
Rovanperä and Halttunen’s recent triumph also signifies their first appearance at Rally Poland. Stepping in for teammates Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais after they withdrew due to an unfortunate road collision, the No. 69 crew underwent an intensive pre-event reconnaissance schedule to ready themselves for the rally’s rapid gravel stages.
Toyota Gazoo's Results in Poland Rally
- Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen on No. 69 GR YARIS Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle:
- Position: 1st
- Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 7.6 seconds
- Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin on No. 33 GR YARIS Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle:
- Position: 2nd
- Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 35.9 seconds
Toyota Excels in Innovation and Performance in Motorsports
Over the years, Toyot has a rich history in motorsports, since it has been competing in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race.
Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand.
Aligned with Toyota’s belief :"the roads build the people, and the people build the cars", TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to making ‘ever-better’ cars.
Leveraging expertise gained from diverse motorsports challenges, TGR strives to pioneer and to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.
Returning to the 2024 World Rally Championship, the eighth round will take place in Rally Latvia from July 18-21. This round marks a new event featuring high-speed gravel roads, with the rally starting from the capital city of Riga, despite the service park being located in the southern coastal city of Liepāja.
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