Toyota will compete in Thailand's 10-hour endurance race with carbon-neutral, hydrogen cars

ABU DHABI: Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it will take part in the Idemitsu Super Endurance Southeast Asia Trophy 2023 specifically the 10-Hour Endurance Race scheduled to take place at Thailand's Chang International Circuit on December 22 and 23. Toyota's participation in this event aligns with the growing trend among companies to use motorsports for brand engagement and enhancement with automotive enthusiasts.

For ROOKIE Racing, Toyota will compete with a three-vehicle setup featuring the ORC ROOKIE GR86 CNF concept, the CP ROOKIE PRIUS CNF-HEV GR concept, a recently launched Prius HEV powered by carbon-neutral fuel, and the ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 concept which is basically a hydrogen-powered Corolla. 

Toyota carries forward its carbon-neutral initiative with a GR86 using carbon-neutral fuel and a hydrogen-powered Corolla, both tested in the 2022 Thailand 25-Hour Endurance Race. Toyota had made certain enhancements to the Prius for racing, focusing on fuel efficiency and driving pleasure as it launched a racing-ready HEV. The biogas from food waste and poultry farms will be used for powering the hydrogen-powered Corolla that is all set to compete in the Thailand 10-Hour Endurance Race.

The drivers that will represent Toyota at the event include Chairman Akio Toyoda (Morizo), Daisuke Toyoda, Tatsuya Kataoka, Masahiro Sasaki, Hiroaki Ishiura, Naoya Gamo, Kazuya Oshima, Kenta Yamashita, Keizo Kato and Hibiki Taira. Kachorn Chiaravanont, Executive Committee Member of the Charoen Pokphand Group will drive the Prius. 

Also read: Toyota spends 3.5 hours inspecting each Century SUV