Toyota continues to invest in Gazoo Racing brand and SA motorsport initiatives

Toyota is truly embracing the "Race on Saturday, sell on Monday" mantra as they aim to build their GR brand into something recognisable on racetracks and at traffic lights, as TRD was in the 1970s and 1980s.

Investing in local motorsport

Toyota is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to developing local motorsport on all levels, starting with karting.

Since its inception in 2022 the Gazoo Racing Junior Academy has significantly contributed to motorsport in South Africa by nurturing young talent and providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed. Through the academy, Toyota Gazoo Racing SA has identified and developed promising karters who have gone on to achieve great success.

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The academy aims to develop drivers holistically by coaching them on various facets of motorsport under the mentorship of specialists such as Leeroy Poulter. Currently, the academy consists of a diverse group of drivers from different cultures and genders participating in the national and regional Rotax MAX Challenge championships.

"The racing mentorship and training programme ensures we fulfil our objective to develop drivers across the various motorsport formats to mentor them – to ultimately participate and represent us at the Dakar Rally. 

"We believe the GR Junior Academy has already made a positive impact in the local motorsport space by showing young racing talent that there is a future in motorsport and growth opportunities," says Riaan Esterhuysen, Senior Manager: Toyota SA Product PR and Gazoo Racing.

On the main circuits, Toyota birthed the GR Cup last year. It expanded the concept during 2023 with this year's series consisting of a group