Toyoda Visit, Tommi Makinen’s AWD GT86 Stoke Rally Rumors in Finland
Toyota is producing a few rally cars right now, two TMG cars, a GT86, a Yaris and a Rally America xB. Now we can add the Tommi Makinen WRC car—although it’s apparently an exploratory effort.
Last week, Akio Toyoda, the man behind Toyota and lover of all things motorsport, was on hand to witness and test out the unveiling of the Makinen car. We’ve learned that the GT86 does have AWD and is setup to immediately compete in WRC, meaning it has been built to WRC rules and regulations. It won’t compete Toyoda gives the go ahead.
What’s particularly interesting is that TMG, Toyota’s in-house rally guys have also created a GT86, but it’s only setup to compete in the lower classes due to its RWD platform.
It will be interesting seeing which direction Toyota goes with. My money is on Makinen’s course, but Toyota has already invested a lot of money and time into the TMG program. Hopefully we get both, because the WRC car will be hugely expensive, the TMG version, hopefully more realistic to those that want to build a competitive class team.
We will know more soon enough, the TMG car is set to make its inaugural debut at the German WRC round soon.