Toyota Gaju Racing Completes Endurance Race at 24:00 Nurburgring 2025
Jun 24, 2025
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■ The completion of the Nurburgring 24 o'clock endurance race is the starting line of 'making a better car'
2025 Nurburgring 24 o'clock endurance race was the first comeback in six years. The philosophy of "making a better car" since 2007 remains the same, and this race participated in Toyota Gaju Rookie Racing, a new system that integrates Toyota Gaju Racing and Rookie Racing. From fall 2023, it has undergone a thorough preparation process, including vehicle development, test driving conducted in Japan and overseas, and participation in NLS in April.
The Toyota Gaju rookie racing team faced an unexpected situation from the night session on the first day of qualifying. No. 382 (GR Yaris) and No. 110 (GR Supra GT4 Evo2) both had trouble with landing impact after jumping. It was not a fatal problem, but it would not have happened without the special environment of the Nurburgring. An engineer remained alert, saying, "There is no word for 'smoothness' in the GR dictionary."
On the morning of the final day, MORIZO*¹ said to all members. "In 2025, our Nurburgring challenge begins. I was very happy to see the title "Toyota Returns to the Nurburgring" in the newspaper that arrived in the room this morning with a picture of GR Yaris. I am grateful to be able to participate in Morizo with many colleagues, not Morizo, who was alone 20 years ago. I want to complete it and make our results together. I look forward to your kind cooperation."
The race began at 4 p.m., and GR Yaris (No. 109) and GR Supra GT4 Evo2 (No. 110) continued their steady run without getting caught up in the initial mix-up. About four hours later, Morisot was brought in as a driver. He started driving with vehicle 382 led by Hiroaki Ishiura, and was originally scheduled to run three laps, but repeated "one more lap" and ran a total of six laps. Ishiura said with a smile, "The more I rapped, the faster Morizo's pace became, so I was rather pressured."
In previous years, Nurburgring had suffered from volatile weather such as rain and fog, but this year, clear weather continued and the overall driving pace was accelerating. As a result, accidents continued to occur throughout the course from around 10 p.m., but the two vehicles continued to drive without being caught up in the aftermath. In the past, there were many cases of trouble at this time and Pete was busy, but this year, it passed without any problems. An engineer also reacted cautiously, saying, "It's scarier that nothing happens."
After a deep night, the situation remained stable even after the morning sun rose. At 10 a.m., Morisot made his second run. It was supposed to be lap five, but I made an emergency pit-in with more than a walkie-talkie for the fourth time. Mechanic responded quickly and returned immediately, and this few-minute suspension was the only suspension of GR Yaris 109.
Morisot then ran nine more laps and recorded a total of 15 laps, including his first run. This is Morisot's most ever run of the Nurburgring. Hirata, who has participated in the Nurburgring program since 2007, said, "The driving video reminded me of Naruse, Morizo's driving teacher."
After that, the two vehicles continued to drive stably, and Hirata's chief mechanical was asked to be interviewed by the media, but he declined to say, "I have experienced trouble at the end several times, so I can't answer until the moment I cross the goal line." As he said, with 3 hours left until the end, 110 GR Supra GT4 Evo2 had trouble and two tire punctures. Nurburgring was never a place to relax until the last minute.
And at 4 p.m., 24 hours after the start of the competition, both vehicles were checked. This year's competition was a rough race with a total of 134 cars and only 88 cars completed, but No. 109 GR Yaris finished 52nd overall (No. 1 in the SP2T class) and No. 110 GR Supra GT4 Evo2 finished 29th overall (No. 4 in the SP8T class).
In its first comeback in six years, Toyota Gaju Rookie Racing completed 24 hours, and the achievement was not just a result, but a new starting line for "making a better car" that has continued since 2007.
*Based on results: June 22, 2025 (Sun) at 4 p.m. local time
■ Toshiyuki Sekiya: Toyota Kaju Rookie Racing GM
There were some challenges for the next challenge, but there were few problems in terms of driving steering and braking. We believe that the outstanding performance of GR Yaris, trained through the SuperDieQ series, is also demonstrated in Nurburgring. To be honest, I felt it was amazing. On the contrary, I think there was a part where the team was pushed back by the vehicle this time. The old Nurburgring challenge was a one-off match that caused several breakdowns, but this time it didn't happen. However, the project began in the fall of 2023 and was a series of iterations of "fixing when broken." Nurburgring is no easy place, either.
■ Hisatomi Kei: Senior Engineer, GR Yaris
Including development, it was quite a long time, but I decided to get it through without compromising. In the race, I was able to push forward half confidently because of the background I have accumulated so far, but as time went by, anxiety grew, and at the end, it was hard enough to hope that it would be over soon. The machine insisted on mass production specifications, and this completion convinced us that the vehicle development direction we pursued was not wrong. The knowledge and insights gained through this activity must be reflected in the next mass production model. That is my task and my mission.
■ Morisot
I was able to safely run the 15 laps I aimed for as a driver. The reason why I was able to drive safely even in collisions or rough road conditions was because my experience of practicing while watching Naruse's tail lamp in the past helped me greatly. While driving, I talked to Mr. Naruse. "Did I improve my driving?" I asked, "I told you not to improve your driving skills anymore. Then I couldn't understand a good car," he said. Still, I replied, "If you don't drive well, you don't know the taste of a really good car."
Looking back, when we launched GR with Naruse in 2007, we were a team that was not cheered on by anyone. But this time, Toyota Gaju Racing, Rookie Racing, Engineers, Mechanics, and Drivers were able to join as a team.
It was something I couldn't do even if I wanted to do 20 years ago, so I could realize that there are now numerous colleagues on the path of "making a better car" with steering. This completion is an achievement made by all participants together. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all for your hard work.
Editor Song Moon-cheol mc.song@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
