by Nathan Hook

Created on: February 04, 2009

The Toyota GT-One car made it self famous in the late 1990's when the company embarked on an ambitious project to win Europe's most famous 24 hour race, le Mans. Le Mans attracts many of the world's major manufacturers due in large part to the prestige of winning the event and the subsequent benefits in doing so. The event, which is held in the town of le Mans Sarthe, France every June, features one of the longest street circuits in motor racing. Extremely long and bumpy straights put enormous strain on man and machinery, making reliability just as important as top speed. Lessons learnt at le Mans have considerable benefits as a trickle down effect for the manufacturers in their every day cars, and in some cases, GT super cars.

Toyota had considerable experience in motor racing at this time, its MR2 and Supra cars were already moderately successful, and inspiration was gleamed from the SARD MC-8R, which was essentially a reworked MR2 housing a turbo charged V8. The SARD had already run in the le Mans races, but it was recognized that a much more radical approach was necessary if they were to be more successful in the GT1 class. Toyota then took 1997 off from le Mans to concentrate on production of the GT-One car. The project was headed by Andre de Cortanze who very quickly designed the vehicle, releasing the concept in January of 1997. Toyota's European arm was assigned to the project as well, and they spent time completely redeveloping the Group C class engine from the MR2 which had given them success in the 1980's. The twin turbo V8 was greatly modified in dimensions and weight to allow it to fit in the new car, whilst also increasing horsepower, fuel efficiency and of course reliability, which was vital in the grueling 24 hour race.

De Cortanze and the Toyota team made good use of advancing computer technology during the period and the vehicle was entirely rendered using computer aided design software. Sophisticated honey comb carbon fiber was extensively used in the body work's composition and considerable attention was paid to aerodynamic stability and reduced drag. What was produced was a stunningly curved two seat style racer (although only one person ever sat in it) weighing in at around 900 kilograms and its' twin turbo V8 producing around 600bhp at 6,000 rpm's. By December of 97', experienced le Mans and Formula One driver, Martin Brundle, was testing the vehicle in preparation for the 98' race. Three cars were entered and very quickly established themselves

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