On a sunny Halloween weekend in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, the usually tranquil Shinshiro General Park was bustling with excitement of a less spooky but still goosebumps-inducing kind.
The ninth and final round of the 2015 Japanese Rally Championship drew enthusiastic car fans and passers-by alike to enjoy the day’s offerings as spectators and participants.
Visitors made a beeline to see firsthand an array of legendary race cars that have competed in rallies and races around the world. The occasion encompassed cars from yesteryear, as well as recent entries in the Nürburgring and Le Mans 24-hour races, including the recently retired 2014 world championship-winning TS040 Hybrid. The lively music, coupled with the festive atmosphere and mobile food stands, heightened the fun of this weekend event. Welcome to Toyota GAZOO Racing Park.
The noteworthy cars saw fans exploring the grounds from early morning, admiring legends such as the first Japanese car to take its pilot to the World Rally Championship for Drivers, the 1990 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST165 driven by Carlos Sainz. With its turbo-charged, four-wheel-drive set up, the Celica helped to place Japan on map in the world of rallying.
A grand name dominated an inconspicuous corner of the immense greenery. It was none other than a replica of the Toyopet Crown Deluxe which was the first Japanese car to participate in an overseas rally, the 1957 Mobilgas Round Australia Rally. The incredible rally pushed entrants to the limits, racing across 17,000 kilometers of Australia’s unpredictable terrain in a mere 19 days. Successfully enduring such harsh conditions demonstrated to the world for the first time that Japanese cars can be just as capable as any other.
For some educational fun, children were even given the opportunity to engage in some hands-on activities. One of these turned them into little engineers learning how to assemble parts of cars before hopping in to tackle the make-believe rallies of their dreams.
There was more to this get-together than lighthearted fun and stories of old races and old triumphs. The main event came in the form of the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Rally Challenge and Japanese Rally Championship. The interactive design of the competition areas allowed for fans young and old to be within reach of the cars and their drivers, intensifying the spirited atmosphere.
The crowds cheered and waved their flags as a rally-ready hydrogen-powered Mirai dashed past, coupled with other historic models such as Toyota’s first sports car, the Sports 800.
The merriment hit a high when a loud horn heralded a lone Lexus LFA arriving as dusk settled in on the day. As everyone turned back to face the circuit once more, loud and curious whispers of “Who is that?” or “Is that a special guest?” punctuated the evening air.
As the front driver’s-side door flew open, excited fans greeted driver Morizo, the motorsport persona of Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda. Morizo’s unannounced participation in the rally rounded off the day’s events with a pleasant surprise.
This Toyota GAZOO Racing Park event held a special meaning for everyone involved. Be it the memories the race cars evoked in the older generation or the passion young adults have for the adrenaline buzz of motorsport, or the young child whose eyes are glistening with growing interest in the mechanical wonder of these powerful machines. At the heart of the event is the intention to bring families and people of all ages together with the joy of cars as catalyst.
