How a SECRET Race Team SAVED Toyota! | Gazoo Racing’s Unlikely Origin Story

[@mryang3644]

Wish they would do a shout out to Yamaha who helped made all their exceptional motors standout since day 1.. They played a very very big part in Toyota's Reliability on the road.

[@The_Amateur_Hour]

4AGE legend

[@Mega-G-Star]

Toyota own Yamaha.

[@mr.cangieter8758]

The Toyota Altezza RS200 is such an underrated car in the performance world. Apart from the HKS TRB-01, it never got the recognition it deserved. Here's hoping that one day, Gazoo Racing will pay homage to their origin and revive a badge that deserves so much more respect than it was given.

[@rorbot_SMF]

I love that little Altezza.

[@JohnnyADi]

Just bought one, arrives in May. Love the history behind it. Love the people behind it. Love the way it looks. Love its interior. Was right in between the ae86, gt86, where at the time, the IS line WAS the first GR car, where we come to the GR86 and GR supra today. Pair that with a 2jz from the Supra, 3s ge from the mr2, or the 1uz being used in boats and planes, in my opinion, a perfect first car, good for a daily street car and street drifter. With its iconic quad circle tail lights, popularization of clear tail lights, and the collaboration with Yamaha for its engine, which later also worked on Japans best ever super car with the highest budget and the most talented contributors, the LFA, and I dont know if I will ever need another car from that era. Maybe one more..

[@jaron95]

You're right, they could totally make a movie based on this story. Great video!

[@themotorsportstory]

Thanks!

[@johndepalma3795]

My thoughts exactly

[@Barry.ONeill]

Thank God we have a car enthusiast runing toyota , i wish only car enthusiasts could run car companies.

[@JoshuaC923]

I know right, need to bring back the glory days of jdm.

[@electropneumatic]

How can you not be romantic about motorsports? A beautiful story.

[@themotorsportstory]

Definitely one of my favorite race team origin stories :)

[@Toyota4Life]

This is about Toyota not motorsports

[@electropneumatic]

​@@Toyota4Life you're about as dense as a neutron star aren't you?

[@justinlee7293]

Amazing video. Wish more manufacturers had the passion Toyota does

[@themotorsportstory]

Glad you enjoyed! It's clear Toyota still cares about making a drivers' car which is rare among major brands. People can say what they want about the GR Supra "being a BMW", but the way I see it, when two great brands collaborate all of us enthusiasts win :)

[@DroneStrike1776]

I wouldn't say Toyota has passion. They're more into the business of making money than making cars for enthusiasts or cars that pushes the envelope in design or tech. Before the GR Yaris/Corolla, what was the last exciting Toyota name plate they made? Early 2000s Celica and MR2? A Solara? Their most exciting car now is actually a BMW. They're extremely lucky that the B58 can handle so much power, just like the 2JZ.

[@ParabolicBox]

@@DroneStrike1776 I agree. I would say Porsche is the motorsports passion brand, a brand that only sells SUVs so they can keep their performance sports car alive.

[@tomstevens7452]

Well one of them is Honda, who has never stopped racing everything

[@imvivalamilo]

@@DroneStrike1776Did you even watch the video? Can you name any other performance car that was made in the last 2 years that is only offered in manual? Are you seriously calling the GR Supra, a BMW? Using your logic that the Supra is a BMW, then the Pagani Huayra is a Mercedes, or the Koenigsegg CCX is actually a Ford. BMW and Toyota actually worked together to build the components for both the Supra and Z4, so I suppose the BMW is actually a Toyota. I like the memes and jokes people make about the situation, but people who genuinely take it seriously are just ignorant.

[@TheNismo777]

Gr yaris was developed quite alot here in Finland where Gazoo has a developement base. Toyota has gone through alot, and will be better than ever before :)

[@siouex]

Ari Vatanen himself worked for a while with Gazoo Racing, hence Finland

[@stanneh1978]

@@siouexLegend!

[@ericksfk6797]

@@siouexalso it was Tommi Makinen who was the WRC Team Principal that pushed for the most radical parts of the car, like being wide body, having carbon fiber body panels and other things, the GR Yaris is the culmination of rally Legends working on that car on multiple ways

[@Imufur]

lets hope, the automotive industry is so boring nowadays, everything is an ev suv

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

What an impactful story to hear on how chance meeting with co ceo and top development driver would spawned one of the most dominant, influential, and successful racing teams in motorsports history we are so lucky to have a great person in toyota but also respect true hero of this story for showing(and teaching) his boss what true driving is all about so thank you master nürburgring we will never forget you r.i.p 😢😢 anyway thanks tms i really wasn't expecting a story like this get me emotional ok then see you next time bye now.

[@themotorsportstory]

Couldn't agree more! Glad you enjoyed it, always happy to see your comment🙂

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

@@themotorsportstory you too tms and have a nice night bye now.

[@cristian333GTX]

Well say agree with you 100 percent

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

@cristian333GTX thanks dude and have a nice day bye now.

[@ZetaFuzzMachine]

I remember following the development of the LFA prototype in my youth and rooting for it in every LM race! If only I knew this bit of the story...

[@tocino-kk3yt]

They need to make a movie based on their story!!!!

[@KuroRyuu86]

GR Yaris is the first GR brand to sell outside of Japan. The first car to Carry the GR badge was a 2015 - 16 Mark X GRMN edition that was exclusive to Japan with 100 units in 2015 and about 350 units in 2019.

[@siouex]

I found info that here were 200 Vitz and 400 Yaris for Europe, definitely saw few in UK

[@AbrahamArthemius]

Don't forget the "GR Yaris" before the actual GR Yaris which is the Yaris GRMN (Not to be confused with the GRMN Yaris) from 2017-18. It's basically your regular tiny European Yaris but with a Supercharged 1.8L 4cyl producing around 212hp. In a way it acts as the homologation car of the Yaris WRC (much like the GR Yaris with GR Yaris Rally1)

[@ProStriker92]

Fantastic video. It's amazing how nearly in his 70s Naruse still remained driving and doing his job as test driver, while contributing to Toyota motorsports until his last days. RIP the Master Driver.

[@amduser86]

walter röhl still does the same for porsche. not that special. experience is kind of everything for feedback. quite a lot of factory test drivers are quite old ...

[@wotwot6868]

Cool story about "Gazoo".. before this video, (while looking at my options for an affordable car) I was oblivious as to why they retired the TRD branding.. It didn't sound cooler than TRD.. Now I appreciate it more. Toyota should show this story in their dealerships.. especially as they are now offering "GR" on their absolute cheapest models (Daihatsu make)..

[@bombfog1]

That was a very touching video. Well done! I’ve only ever owned Toyota trucks and SUVs but I was saddened about the loss of great sports cars 15 years ago.

[@themotorsportstory]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@subaruhawkeyeimpreza]

they need to make a GR Altezza, it would be a great tribute icl

[@adenkyramud5005]

This is why i love tgr so much. I've been a motorsports enthusiast my entire life, and seeing so much passion is rare these days. They still have the passion that got me hooked on racing, and on cars in general.

[@93455Driver]

The GR Corolla is awesome. Even after a bad day at work , it is a great to look forward to that home bound commute in my brake dust wearing GRC. Many thanks Akio and Hiromu!

[@VisioRacer]

Having goosebumps during the whole video, I thank you for this astonishing story. I could nearly not hold my tears. This is what we love about the true sports cars, this is true passion

[@themotorsportstory]

Thanks so much! It's such an inspiring story for sure. I've definitely seen some of your videos before, glad to see you here! Most recently the camber race car video. You do a great job covering a wide range of interesting topics and always bringing the passion to your videos as well, keep it up!

[@VisioRacer]

@@themotorsportstory Thank you! I will gladly learn about more stories from your side. I truly enjoyed this one and the Volvo BTCC

[@siouex]

What a video, I got emotional. Not every great story begins with underdog, some begins with caged beast.

[@tuiso]

I always liked Akio, and I knew he liked racing, but this video gave me newfound respect for him. I am so moved. Unlike a spoilt child born to a king of an empire, he didn't let the "adults" just take it away. He went against actual challenges, some technical, some financial, some social, some life and death. I believe it's not an exaggeration that he risked his life racing the Nurburgring himself. He did all that to follow a passion, a passion he could only start following at an age where everyone else was already settling down. "Never too late" huh? Now Toyota's motorsport is revived, now he can finally continue the CENTURY old legacy of his forefathers, not just for the sake of the legacy, but because the passion for motorsport actually runs in their blood. I hope it only goes up from here. This is a truly inspriring story. I wait for the day they come back and take revenge on F1, so I can fully support a team from the (re)start.

[@Streetsupra88]

Wow, dude this is awesome! Been a Toyota nut since a kid. My first car was a 89 Supra (still own it today) in 03. Corollas have a special place in my heart as I had a 85 ae86 coupe til earlier this year. So owning a GR Corolla would be a dream, and even more so now after watching this. Thank you!

[@themotorsportstory]

That's awesome! It's great when you love something since childhood and it only seems to get better. Have fun with the Supra, and I hope you get that GR Corolla one day!

[@cory5197]

4:20 that Camry Solara got me 😂😂

[@themotorsportstory]

Have to throw the humor in there when you least expect it🤣

[@Cynderfan35]

Should have mentioned at the Le Mans part, they had big advantage for being only team in the class, but other than that, this truly was such good video X3 *i'm sure Naruse would still be proud of the legacy he gave, still lives on

[@themotorsportstory]

Fair point, and thank you! :)

[@TheFuebear]

True, but it's not Toyota fault VW decided to commit "diesel gate" lol.

[@democracysmith6060]

Honestly people need to stop saying this. Toyota have clearly shown what it takes and what it means to win a le mans. They are the ones who endured, they deserve their wins like every other winners.

[@AbrahamArthemius]

Ehh, considering just how dominant they are this season even after the huge influx of manufacturers coupled with the surprise sudden BOP change which put the Toyota's in the backfoot a little bit during Le Mans, their dominance is very much deserved. Plus this is pretty much a similar case that happened with Audi back in the 00s and to some extent Porsche as well. They are now THE benchmark on how you should operate a team on WEC. Clean drives, perfect strategy, fast pitstop, and pretty much act as a single unit all the time. You may have a fast car but you'll just wasting your potential if you didn't do all of those things above at the same level as TGR currently are.

[@antiussentiment]

In the early naughties I rebuilt my first Toyota engine. A 12R in my 1973 Hilux. What I found inside converted me from a GM fan to a Toyota fanatic. I had no idea of the Gazoo legacy, so thank you for sharing this fabulous story.

[@themotorsportstory]

That's awesome! I've always loved the way those early Hiluxes look. Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@froggodoggo79]

The Altezza/SXE10 is massively underrated part of Toyota motorsport history. It really doesn't get the recognition or praise it deserves.

[@ricchrono5907]

I don’t usually purchase a brand new car, but I recently did. I pulled the trigger on gr yaris, what a car, what a story and how it came about, salute to naruse and akio toyoda.

[@themotorsportstory]

Congrats, I'm sure you're loving it!

[@aldo5658]

Such an insane documentary! Thank you for this awe inspiring video sir 🙏👏

[@gamemeister27]

Great video! Maybe my favorite one of yours yet. Keep up the amazing work!

[@themotorsportstory]

Thanks so much!

[@siviunative5241]

Mr.Toyoda could be the best thing happening to Toyota. He inspired the GR Yaris selling like hot cakes and rejecting the EV fallacy

[@adipurnama_workshop]

Perhaps in the near future we can see a movie about Naruse story. It will be interesting

[@EVERTOMRR]

Thank you for this amazing piece of history beautifully narrated. It was a great pleasure to watch. Well done.

[@ravenwestr1681]

Amazing video! Very well done I didnt even know that the LFA was participating kn 24 hour Nurburgring from as early as 2008

[@themotorsportstory]

Thank you! Yes, much of the LFA's development came from racing, probably part of the reason the car is rumored to have taken almost $800 million to develop🤯

[@MichaelBrown-ds5ll]

Amazing story. Thank you for putting this together.

[@Operationhodl]

Great video. Picked up a GR86 Trueno. Love what today is doing with the line up. Also have a 2007 FJ Cruiser TRDSE with over 300k miles and going strong.

[@_AG_63]

That GR badge on a car means so much more than BMW slapping their M badge on every other car they make

[@gms03sbd3]

The altezza chasis is soooo good but easy to manage, I understand they use 2 RS for the first race.

[@JonathanLittle001]

In some ways Toyoda-san has been as important for car culture in recent years as bob lutz and carol shelby

[@PaddyMcQueen]

As a car and motorsport enthusiast this story is fascinating. I'm considering buying a GR86 just to own a part of this story. Amazing.

[@Apater6076]

Excellent video! More like this please!

[@themotorsportstory]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed!

[@TheWolfandreptile]

Toyota had been involved in Le Mans since the World Endurance Championship returned in 2012, which meant they have raced at Le Mans every year since then. They only started winning the Le Mans 24 hour race once Porsche and Audi left and they were the sole manufacturer in the LMP1 class.

[@CDN296]

Altezza is the OG ❤

[@Xsiondu]

Making me cry man. Damn that was well written and delivered.

[@themotorsportstory]

It's a truly moving story and I wanted to tell it that way. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@IrishMotoringLife]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you ❤

[@themotorsportstory]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@jomarmacanlalay9442]

Thats IS300 ❤ i have one and im glad to what its all about😮❤

[@nicojongeneel9734]

Naruse san is legend

[@floyd_v10]

Man I love these videos so much. Thank you again, this was outstanding. Can’t wait for the next one!

[@themotorsportstory]

Thanks so much!

[@Zelectrocutica]

My altezza is clearly a family's car but under the hood is not. It's quite similar to honda, but i actually more worried about other brand like mazda and nissan.. they kinda out of picture too long. I wanted to see sedan with actual performan or homologation car like yaris gr once more... They should make them.

[@AbrahamArthemius]

Sadly numerous times of nearly going under for Nissan shaped them to what they are today. Coupled that with so many scandals happening at the top with their CEOs, Nissan isn't the giant of the 80s & 90s we know.

[@KikuraKun]

​@@AbrahamArthemiusYep. It was the CEO that Nissan is now.

[@NicJohnson]

Stellar video. This was super entertaining while being fairly educational about Toyotas motorsports history.

[@tariqkamil7853]

Brilliant presentation. Thank you

[@christopherbassit2757]

I’ve had my gr corolla for 8 months now and it’s awesome. They’re definitely going in the right direction

[@themotorsportstory]

Glad you're enjoying it! I'd love to own one eventually.

[@christopherbassit2757]

@@themotorsportstory I hope you get it soon! They’re a complete blast

[@PLZFrosty]

I'm not even a Toyota fan, but boy am i glad he did what he did. I lost interest in Toyota completely in those dull years until the day i saw the new Carolla about a year ago. That opened my eyes to all the other models they have. Yes, i was in love with the 86, but it was a sports car, an expensive toy, to be honest. The new Yaris looks amazing too. Thank you mr. Akio Toyoda

[@nanocivicek4716]

Awesome video ! But you forget to talk about the first Yaris with a GR badge the 2018 GRMN limited edition to homologation of the 3 dors Yaris !

[@themotorsportstory]

Yeah, I tried to hit all of the highlights, but for sure the GRMN Yaris is an awesome car!

[@obadiahocasio2850]

Makes me wanna finish my mr2 luv the video very amazing story and history, and footage, very well done 👏 now we need a movie about this 😊

[@themotorsportstory]

Good luck finishing it! Sounds like a great project!

[@rjung_ch]

This was a great one! Many thanks 👍💪✌

[@jorgecristovao5642]

Bravo sir! Very well done!

[@whisky6]

Stunning story! Thanks for your video 🙏

[@boxoffisa]

16:43 they are 5 championships now. They are still going strong.

[@niismo.]

Great video, loved the story telling and it really shed a positive light on Toyota for me

[@alanotan5586]

Successful Business & endeavor owes to one word "Passion"...

[@camrsr5463]

That was really cool. I am a Porsche fan in and out but if I had to pick a second place it would be Toyota.

[@Aimenonze]

the last two minutes almost make me cry

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

18:06 oh what a shot :). Makes me miss my old Celica GT-S i used to have

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

great video you put together

[@themotorsportstory]

Thank you!

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

youre very welcome @@themotorsportstory

[@ondreue]

Bravo. Wish I had found this video sooner.

[@themotorsportstory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sailbrake]

amazing video, keep it up

[@RobertDonnyJr-c4e]

Amazing video, seriously good. Little tip. It's Just Rally. No need for the racing .. Rally driver, not Rally racing driver!!❤

[@themotorsportstory]

Glad you enjoyed! I've heard it both ways, so I guess it depends who you're talking to :)

[@RobertDonnyJr-c4e]

@@themotorsportstory 💯💪 and I've nothing but love for The US , literally grew up there from 10-16 went to school everything, also worked in NYC for a few years ❤️ genuinely. But Rally is a later edition imo to the Motorsport scene than it is in Europe/Asia /Africa etc! Would u say you watched the F1 racing on Sunday ? Or just F1 !! Is he... A NASCAR racing driver or just drives NASCAR!!! Again big fan of Ur work and as U said luckily we are free to say either! Keep up the awesome work 💪

[@paullouw401]

All to be said is RESPECT!

[@pierremigneault]

How can you not be a car person ? I own a 2021 wrx. When I see a nice sports car, I wave. No hate just, love.

[@cebuwulfkiba2495]

This is why I love Toyota, the history is more than just a great daily driver.

[@jkim6200]

The Altezza IS300is a beautiful and capable FR performance vehicle.

[@wundo9372]

absolutley amazing from the story to the editing its all a masterclass! well done! toyota really is the best car brand!

[@themotorsportstory]

Thanks so much!

[@sagrjungkunwar]

Thank you for this

[@trainglen22]

Fantastic video!

[@POFlee]

Beautiful video. Definitely watery eyed.

[@themotorsportstory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kimmpaperchaser2733]

Awesome video

[@Samalsop]

I think the critique of Toyota doing poorly in F1 is harsh, they achieved a lot in a very short amount of time! By the time they had a competitive car Toyota pulled the plug due to the financial crisis.

[@Marcbgping]

those altezzas are HOT!

[@alexatanasie3302]

Thank you 👏🦾🇯🇵

[@henryjohn2218]

RIP SIR Naruse san

[@jenseninterceptor3416]

Man this is such a great story you gotta pitch it to a screenwriter it could be Ford Vs Ferrari meets Karate Kid. The fact that the padawan is the boss of the Sensei is priceless.

[@jamesclater8876]

my celica gt-four project is whispering in my ear now

[@Thulebeez]

I dont think personally that BMW / supra was a great way to honor the master driver. It should have been the LC500.

[@rhubarbpie2027]

YES, ALTEZZZAAAAAAA

[@swashingtonproductions530i]

Such a heartwarming story ❤❤

[@Toyota4Life]

Toyota is my fav car company hands down

[@deltas4764]

That's the true beauty of this industry.

[@samiboost404]

Fantastic video....but didn't mention the isf ...it was key to the Toyota Motorsports new interest..1st F car ever..the is300 was tested with v8s for years in tracks to develop what we know as the isf...so much here..but for some reason Lexus isf don't get talked about or credit to its Motorsports pedigree..

[@theblankframeofmind9456]

Man, I knew about Akio racing but never knew about how it went. My respect went up for him 📈

[@PerkasetPXPodcast]

Great Video 👏🏽🫡

[@themotorsportstory]

Thank you!

[@metaliczic96]

13:50 Glad PD added this masterpiece supercar into GT7 15:37 the iconic MF Ghost main character car

[@ontec7139]

Nt03, gods choice

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

Toyota's suspensions have always been a little weird. 2012 Corolla: compliant but bouncy. 2011 Camry: soft, floaty and wobbly. 2020 RX: hard. So yeah, whatever.

[@gabiocampbell5238]

Almost shead a tear

[@jkim6200]

Oh What A Feeling! TOYOTA!

[@fifiLOLZ_23]

Thank you for making this video, Gazoo has a 12,000 rpm hybrid motor it's using in it's WRC car akio san is getting all the data they need to apply that to the cars on the streets. Remember he has Kalle crushing rally stages with this drive system

[@themotorsportstory]

Incredibly impressive!

[@cristhanos9392]

Gazoo Racing is now a World beater. And it all started from a CEO that listened to one of his workers wishing He gave the Green light to make a Exiting toyota. This can and should be a Movie.

[@themotorsportstory]

It would make a fantastic drama!

[@abdilahramadhan984]

Now they've won Japanese Super GT with GR Supra, 7th WRC titles with GR Yaris, Dakkar Rally with GR Hilux, and WEC with GR010. Not to mention the new GT3 car that will race in 2025. I think they will concentrate on WEC, WRC, Super GT, and Dakkar. Maybe someday they can get back to F1.

[@clintnieves]

Thank Kamisama for Akio Toyoda San

[@L3RK]

I adore my 86. Akio gets it.

[@mr_mustache5594]

the only thing missing now is a fully toyota build sportscar. no sharing parts or models. so no Mazda/Yaris, BRZ/GT86, Supra/Z4 or buff corrolla. just a fully toyota build 'sportscar'. Not so say i'm not happy to see toyota build exciting cars already, it's just that 'that one thing' is missing to make it perfect!

[@Hrakuun]

Lexus is basically that with cars like RC-F and LFA. However there is new GR GT3 coming (can be seen with camo on tracks during testing), but its not known if its going to be Toyota or Lexus.

[@superfast30]

Amazing story!

[@themotorsportstory]

Thank you!