Will Lexus make a motorsports kick-off at Le Mans?

I know some guys here do not like it, but I'm in for a bit more speculation. This time it's about Lexus in European endurance racing. If you'd ask me, I'd say it's very near.

I gues you've all heard the rumors of Toyota entering 'Les 24 Heurs Du Mans', perhaps even with a hybrid racer. Could well be, as TMC won the 24 hours of Tokachi last year with such a car. Besides, it's been a long time (1999) since Toyota raced the famous race at La Sarthe (they finished second) and the company is doing well. So why not?

But why should it be badged as a Toyota? Lexus' F-brand could do well with a promotion. Besides, it was a Lexus - or at least a Lexus-powered prototype for the non-fanboys - that won the 24 Hours of Daytona for the third consecutive time this year.

All in all, I wouldn't be surprised when not a Toyota Hybrid, but a Lexus Hybrid would make it to the start of the 76th edition of the 24 hours-race in France on June 14.

ISF-insider
www.isf-blog.com

Agent009 - 2/14/2008 12:26:18 PM

0 Boost

But if they do well in LeMans they can save face

07G35J - 2/14/2008 12:42:22 PM

+4 Boost

They also need to start getting better at NASCAR (which apparently is starting to happen at Daytona).

7msynthetic - 2/14/2008 12:14:37 PM

+5 Boost

In terms of winning - yes they should first try to win in F1
In terms of $$$ - they can enter every series/race/event and it still won't make a dent

If the Le Mans car is a hybrid it's a no brainer - enter - it's good for everyone

kpaxx - 2/14/2008 12:34:15 PM

+3 Boost

If the suck at both F1 and LeMans then it would look really bad. They are already a joke with the F1 crowd. Most F1 fans are astonished at how poorly toyota is doing with the biggest budget on record.

1970toyotamarc - 2/14/2008 12:37:51 PM

+3 Boost

BTW, slightly off topic but...Tony Stewart placed second in the Bud Shootout in a Toyota, and Michael Waltrip is on the front row of the Daytona 500 in a Toyota (hopefully well within the rules this year). Combined with Lexus winning 24 hrs of Daytona, this could be a watershed year for Toyota in Motorsports. (I know, start deboosting)

kpaxx - 2/14/2008 3:14:06 PM

+2 Boost

sure they may have some successes with established teams that they bought. BUT in racing arena (F1) were real innovation and engineering talent are required on a continuing basis toyota is not very successful.

kpaxx - 2/14/2008 3:20:55 PM

+5 Boost

Good luck against the Audi R10 TDI and Peugeot 908 HDi they'll need it!

autopro - 2/14/2008 7:33:20 PM

+2 Boost

At least their out their racing,everybody has to lose to learn how to win,its just a matter of time.

AE86 - 2/14/2008 7:53:33 PM

+4 Boost

I believe the rules changes required to run a hybrid would be announced well prior to the event. The TDI Audis were announced months before the event.

There is talk about energy storage for F1 powertrains in the future. Unless a weight penalty is applied to cars without the hybrid batteries, I don't see how they would be very competitive.

I have heard about the Supra hybrid win and would like to know more about the rules that allowed the hybrid technology to prevail.

A4ORCE - 2/15/2008 1:07:54 AM

+3 Boost

I want to see this car in the Speed World Challenge series. This, M3, RS4, GT-R, plus the usual Porsches and Vettes would be pretty fun.

VISO - 2/17/2008 1:55:08 PM

+2 Boost

Dream on little fella. Running a team in Le Mans requires more than just deep pockets, but a lot of talent and experience not to mention technological racing know-how that takes years to develop. F1 experience aside, Le Mans is completely different in terms of how a race is run. I wouldn't be betting against Audi anytime soon.

XYZZ - 2/15/2008 9:58:31 AM

0 Boost

all this hectoring about toyota's lack of success at F1 is overblown.

aside from the politics in that series (anyone remember the fiascos at Indianapolis?) there are obstacles not at all related to how good the cars are.

passing tends to be a relatively RARE occurance, so it is extremely difficult for cars to work their way up the field. pole sitter always has a HUGE advantage. toyota has had above average power, but have not yet been able to EXPLOIT it.

if you do not have a top driver, and a team that is already strong, it becomes nearly impossible to reach the podium.

XYZZ - 2/20/2008 5:39:30 AM

+1 Boost

evidence that it is more POLITICS and inherent disadvantages of newcomers--

when toyota started to race in CART, they were successful almost right out the gate. they easily beat the Ford and GM powered cars. the only real competition they got, was from Honda.

ditto, the record at IRL.