Electric Cars

Toyota is accelerating its commitment to sustainable motorsport with the introduction of its cutting-edge hydrogen-powered rally vehicle. This pioneering GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept is slated to make its first public appearance at the highly anticipated Rally Finland event, featuring rally icon Juha Kankkunen as its driver. The debut on the Harju stage during the initial two days of the rally, scheduled from July 31 to August 3, marks a significant step forward in alternative fuel racing.

The innovative rally car, developed at Toyota's WRC team headquarters in Jyvaskyla, Finland, represents an evolution of their successful GR Yaris Rally2 model. However, this version is uniquely propelled by an internal combustion engine that runs on compressed hydrogen, showcasing a promising avenue for environmentally conscious motorsport. This isn't Toyota's first foray into hydrogen; the manufacturer previously demonstrated similar technology at the 2022 Ypres Rally Belgium, with Kankkunen and then-Toyota president Akio Toyoda at the helm. Since then, the company has refined the concept, leading to the advanced iteration set for Finland.

Toyota's dedication to hydrogen power extends beyond rallying, forming a core part of its vision for a carbon-neutral future in motorsport. The Japanese automotive giant has actively campaigned hydrogen-fueled vehicles since 2021, including a modified Corolla in Japan's Super Taikyu series, where current Toyota WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala was among the drivers. Furthermore, Toyota recently showcased a hydrogen-powered prototype test car at the Le Mans 24 Hours, signaling its long-term ambitions to integrate this clean energy source into endurance racing. Alongside Kankkunen's demonstration, Latvala will also compete in his home event in a conventional GR Yaris Rally2, continuing to provide valuable feedback for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team's vehicle development.

Toyota's proactive embrace of hydrogen technology in high-performance racing exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to environmental responsibility within competitive sports. By pushing the boundaries of what's possible with clean energy, they inspire innovation across the automotive industry and demonstrate that peak performance and ecological mindfulness can coexist. This commitment paves the way for a more sustainable and exciting future for motorsport, proving that dedication to progress and a cleaner planet can lead to remarkable achievements.

Mastering the Ascent: Triumph and Talent Unleashed at Harewood

Challenging Conditions Set the Stage for Unpredictable Outcomes

The recent British Hillclimb Championship event at Harewood was marked by a series of unforeseen challenges, largely due to intermittent rainfall that kept participants on their toes. These variable weather patterns, coupled with intricate tire decisions, created a truly unpredictable racing environment. Despite the difficulties, series leader Matthew Ryder skillfully navigated the conditions, ultimately securing two significant victories.

Coles's Remarkable Performance in the Wet

Sunday's early hours were characterized by persistent wetness, gradually transitioning to a drying track just before the first runoff. During the class runs, 20-year-old Alex Coles, driving his 1.3-liter turbo Force, demonstrated extraordinary natural talent. His exceptional performance in these demanding conditions allowed him to achieve the fastest qualifying time, stunning onlookers with his precision and control.

The Crucial Decision: Navigating Tire Choices on a Changing Track

As the track progressively dried, tire strategy became a critical factor. Competitors faced a complex dilemma: whether to opt for full wet tires, full slicks, or a mixed setup with wet tires at the front and slicks at the rear. While rear slicks could be warmed effectively through burnout, generating heat in front slicks on a cold, damp surface proved difficult. This led some drivers to choose front wet tires, anticipating quicker temperature acquisition through the initial corners.

Exceptional Drives and Coles's Ascent to Second Place

Among the notable performances was David Warburton's impressive run of 54.20 seconds in his 1600cc Gould, utilizing an all-wet tire configuration. Will Hall also demonstrated his skill, placing third in his Gould GR59, similarly equipped with wet tires. However, Matthew Ryder truly dominated the first runoff, posting an astonishing time of 50.83 seconds, a benchmark far beyond the reach of his rivals. Following Ryder, young Coles delivered another spectacular effort, clocking 53.04 seconds to claim a well-deserved second place, marking his personal best runoff result.

Rivalry and Recognition: Applause for Coles's Accomplishment

Coles's competitors were quick to commend the young Plymouth native. Four-time champion Wallace Menzies, despite facing electrical issues that impacted his own performance and resulted in a sixth-place finish, reserved his highest praise for Coles, acknowledging the significance of this achievement in the youngster's burgeoning career. The afternoon saw improved weather, with the track becoming fully dry, leading to universal use of slick tires. While this reduced Coles's advantage against more experienced drivers, he still managed a commendable sixth place. Jack Cottrill and Paul Haimes also concluded the day strongly, securing fifth and fourth positions, respectively.

Ryder's Dominance and Quick Adjustments

Will Hall once again secured third place with a time of 49.82 seconds, overcoming his historical challenges at Harewood. With his electrical issues resolved, Menzies laid down a formidable marker with a time of 48.59 seconds. Ultimately, Ryder, despite a quick nose assembly change on his GR59 after Sean Gould's earlier incident at Orchard, solidified his lead with a blistering 48.27 seconds, securing his ninth win out of 16 runoffs this season. Ryder acknowledged the challenge of warming tires on a cold track but expressed confidence in his and his car's ability to perform under pressure.