Both Toyota GT86 And Lexus LFA Entries Score Class Wins In Nurburgring 24 Hours Race

If getting class victories for your Halo Car is all you are aiming for, then thats very sad and unambitious... For a car that is available in the "Nurburgring Package" trim, it is laughable to go for class victory. Here's an idea, try to be a little more ambitious and build the LF-A for the SP9 GT3 class...

Or will you simply settle for class victories and be satisfied...?

One might think that the LFA would be in the same class as Audi R8, or Porsche 911 but it wasn't.

The Winning R8 completed the race with 155 laps
The 15th place (first in class) LFA with 147 laps
The 46th place (first in class) GT86 with 129 laps

Thats my point exactly. Toyota could have built a LF-A for the top class, but it would mean that their 375K Halo Car risks the chance to lose, thus it would damage the car's image.

But isn't the point to lose once in a while so you can learn from it? After if you aren't losing every once in a while then you are probably sand bagging.

What's the point of building a top class for the boring 24hr race?

Look at Ferrari or Lambo. They either didn't participate or win in the history of Nurburgring 24 hours race, but does that diminish any of their glory? Some MFR are simply not that interested, so for me this race just doesn't mean much.

@009, I am not sure where you get your racing knowledge from, but I'm sure teams don't spend millions to lose on purpose just to learn from it.

@dlin, Ferruccio Lamborghini founded the company vowing to not race the cars and the company does not have any works team, that is why they are able to keep their name, and by the way, in the racing circle, Lamborghini has ZERO glory. As for Ferrari, I am sure now you are not a race fan. They have had their fair share of Overall victories, 9 in 24h Le Mans, Spa 24h, 12h Sebring... This is why they are able to keep their racing glory. Please get educated on racing before you comment. Lexus, to date, has yet to win a major race. This is why I make such a comment.

Like who doesn't know Ferrari race? Yes you're a racing fan.... big deal. LFA will be entering race @ Japan. So what? Doesn't mean much to me, or you either probably.

My argument is specific on this Nurb 24 hr race, and that this race doesn't necessarily prove anything. Don't be shallow here.

@Dlin... My point is, Ferrari made its name prior to the 24h Nurburgring. It did not need this to make a name for themselves in racing. Lamborghinis were never intended to race, so they have no glory. Toyota's LFA specifically tested on the Nurburgring, always showing off their times, and also made a dedicated trim (Nurburgring package). So wouldn't it make sense to try to go for overall victory?

All I hear is crickets. Where are all the toy\lexus haters.....LOL!!!

They have alot to learn about 24hr racing. At least the cars held up. Most cars go thru 7 to 9 sets of brake pads....

Ok. Here's the real story:
- Audi R8 GT $200K (1st)
- Audi R8 GT $200K (2nd)
- Mercedes SLS AMG $200K(3rd)
- Lexus LFA $400K (15th)

The LFA entered a lower class to avoid cars they should really be beating. I guess they know exactly where they belong. Now if you can excuse me I need to go take a 5th grader math test!

http://www.eurotuner.com/news/eurp_1205_audi_victory_nurburgring_24_hours/index.html

Just to correct you... Audi does not race an R8 GT. It is an R8 LMS Ultra, which carries a tag of at or about $550K per customer car, same with the SLS AMG GT3, which is about $515K.

On the other hand, Toyota is not serious enough about racing programs to develope a "GT3" class LFA. I am not sure of the reasoning, but I assume because the cost of development may be too high and the knowledge and know-how they can get from a race-bred LFA(-GT3?) is not applicable in their cars... So in other words, Toyota is just doing this for press, not doing it to filter the technology and engineering into their road cars.

Stock version LFA would crush the stock R8 GT....

Well, save that comment for a road test between a Stock LFA and a stock R8GT. This is about racing, where Lexus has no place or standing...

The results speaks for themselves. R8 LMS Ultra overall victory, enough said...

Not based on any comparable times that I have seen.

Breaking news: Mercedes C230 Scores class win! so did a VW Golf 3 16V, Audi A4 Quattro, and a SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI... For that matter, so did a Audi TTS, BMW 1 Coupe, and a BMW Z4 Coupe... Wonder why they didn't get the press?

cause it's crap????