Toyota announces WRC plans

[dimviii]

RallySport Mag ‏@RallySportMag

Jarmo Lehtinen told @RallyHolmes that @TGR_WRC has a 5-year commitment to @OfficialWRC. https://issuu.com/hi-techmedia/docs/...mber_2016/64*…


BILLIOT Jérémie ‏@planetemarcus 5h
5 hours ago

BILLIOT Jérémie Retweeted RallySport Mag
#WRC JML & Hanninen deal one year with option for Toyota

[N.O.T]

rallysport mag ‏@rallysportmag

jarmo lehtinen told @rallyholmes that @tgr_wrc has a 5-year commitment to @officialwrc. https://issuu.com/hi-techmedia/docs/...016/64*…


billiot jérémie ‏@planetemarcus 5h
5 hours ago

billiot jérémie retweeted rallysport mag
#wrc jml & hanninen deal one year with option for toyota

lol

[Mirek]

Yes, Toyota can be compared to VW on car market, but what makes you think Toyota gives this program same amount of money as VW did?
For me it looks more like a venture from Toyota, it seems they give some (just enough) money for private team to do the job and then they will see how it goes. If all goes well - they'll continue, if not (or something else changes) - they can stop easily.
Look at VW - huge amount of money, facilities etc etc etc... and boom it's over. Toyota's approach looks more cautious.

I have never said Toyota put same money into WRC as VW did. I said Toyota had enough resources to do so. What I wanted to say is that there was no sense at all to play with brand reputation by running half-way projects.

I certainly hope they are competitive but I don't agree at all with inventing excuses already before first event.

[danon]

But that’s where he ended up in the end.

Happy end!

[Rally Power]

I have never said Toyota put same money into WRC as VW did. I said Toyota had enough resources to do so. What I wanted to say is that there was no sense at all to play with brand reputation by running half-way projects.
I certainly hope they are competitive but I don't agree at all with inventing excuses already before first event.

No one was inventing excuses mate. Just reporting facts to make clear that most of the criticism is unfair.

Btw, having Toyota LM/WEC budget in mind (different sources mention 50% less than Audi), Marcco point makes a lot of sense. We've also to remember that Toyota is involved in much more motorsport programes than VW (Asia, USA, South Africa,...). Spending a bit less on each one but keeping all of them running seems to be a valid option.

[Mirek]

The sport is about competition and marketing. From sporting point of view the target of every top sportsman is to be the best. From marketing point of view the target is to present the brand as the best, i.e. both points of view share the same goal. IMHO for such a company like Toyota the only sensible way is to commit fully or not at all. Anything half way is pure waste of money for own damage.

[stefanvv]

Its funny now the only non-manufacturer could be 'the best'.

[danon]

[er88]

I don't think it's right to insinuate that Toyota aren't fully committed, I mean they've wasted a lot of resources that TMG used by testing a Yaris for 2-3yrs - only to abandon. Plus they offered Ogier 10-12m a year to drive for them, so they are serious. It just seems that Akia Toyoda has maybe gambled and put a hell of a lot faith in Makinen. They've clearly become good friends over the last few years.

But then again, it's great that a major boss at a company like Toyota is so enthusiastic about the WRC. They'll make/ have made mistakes but it won't be because they aren't passionate about the sport - like BMW were when they left Prodrive hanging...

Hopefully it works out well for the team and the WRC, but it's understandable that everyone has some doubts...

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[EstWRC]