Latest News | 24 March 2021
Derbyshire-built Corolla set to contest BTCC honours again
A car built by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in Derbyshire is set to once again contest for honours in one of Britain’s top motor racing series.
Toyota Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport arm, has this week lifted the lid on the Toyota Corollas that will compete in this season’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
The Corolla, which is exclusively built at Toyota’s Burnaston factory, achieved impressive results in the nation’s premier motorsport series last season.
For this year, the Speedworks Motorsport-run squad has expanding its entry to two cars for the first time in eight years.
They will be driven by Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt, who will put the cars through their paces at pre-season testing later this week, starting at Donington Park before moving on to Snetterton and Brands Hatch.
The action will then get underway on 8/9 May at super-fast Thruxton circuit, scene of a double victory for the Derbyshire-built Corolla last September.
Every race will be televised live and in high definition on ITV4.
Christian Dick, team principal at Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, said: “Since first gaining official BTCC ‘Manufacturer’ status two years ago, we’ve worked hard to foster ever-closer relations with Toyota Gazoo Racing and to now see not just one but two Speedworks-built touring cars in the brand’s signature red, black and white colour scheme is a very special moment.
“I have no doubt that the cars will look even better at speed and we are all excited to go testing this week to try out everything we’ve been working on back at base over the winter months.
“We are quietly confident of taking another step forward with the Corolla this year, and once the action gets underway, we look forward to seeing the Toyota Gazoo Racing colours where they belong – right at the front of the pack.”
