Toyota announces WRC plans

[AMSS]

http://www.maxrally.com/2015/09/03/t...-getting-close

[Simmi]

http://www.maxrally.com/2015/09/03/t...-getting-close

WHAT!!??

So TMG are building their own interpretation of a 2017 Yaris WRC in addition to the works-blessed ones TMR are building?

[TheFlyingTuga]

LOLZ!!!

My guess is that Toyoda put both teams building a car, an in case TMR's be a flop, he always have a plan B to run!

[stefanvv]

This sounds a little like "internal competition"?!? It would be more interesting if the cars have different base, i.e. TMR to build GT86 for instance....

[Zeakiwi]

I read there is likely to be two test teams. TMG to test around the world and TMR to test only in Finland? A bit like Overdrive and Hallspeed?

[Simmi]

I read there is likely to be two test teams. TMG to test around the world and TMR to test only in Finland? A bit like Overdrive and Hallspeed?

Two test teams makes sense but not if you're testing different cars - if that is indeed the case.

I'd really love one of the rally journos to fully pull everything together and try to work out where TMR ends and where TMG begins. We know there will be some partnership - but I doubt it's a joyful close relationship with all those politics at play.

[Rally Power]

LOLZ!!!

My guess is that Toyoda put both teams building a car, an in case TMR's be a flop, he always have a plan B to run!

Probably it was the other way around: TMR was the plan B, activated by Mr.Toyoda after another TMG disaster at LeMans!

Facts:

- TMG run Toyota Racing F1 team during 8 years (2002 to 2009); in 140 races they didn't win a single grand prix.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Racing

- TMG run Toyota Racing in LeMans 24h from 2012 to 2015 (4 consecutive years); they didn't get a single victory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans

- TMG is runing Toyota Racing in WEC from 2012 (26 races until now); they win 10 races and 1 constructor title (2014).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_TS030_Hybrid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_TS040_Hybrid

- Toyota presented TMG Yaris WRC in January 2015, announcing their return to WRC from 2017.
http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/5736875/

- Toyota/TMG cars finish the 2015 LeMans 24h (June 14) in 6th and 8th positions.
http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/8257910/

- Toyota announces Tommi Makinen as their WRC program manager in July 7.
http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/8622687

Notes:

- In the 12 TMG running seasons, only WEC results are positive, but they are virtually useless because Toyota main objective in endurance racing is to win LeMans.

- Tommi Makinen choice was reveled 3 weeks after LeMans fail by Mr. Toyoda (Toyota Motor Corp. and Toyota Racing President).

[Grundo Farb]

I agree with you Rally Power. TMG is plan A for the car.

I had another look at the TMR website yesterday, it is still advertising the same jobs it was a month ago. If I was Tommi I would say "yes please TMG build me a car", he can then test it, drive it play with it and develop his team. Give himself the necessary time it takes to build a solid structure in time for 2017 and not worry about the car development at the moment. But I have the feeling he has a fairly large ego...

The other thing that puzzles me, in a normal business world company's have budgets. These budgets are based on forecast costs and typically are based on a business plan or business case. For TMG which is a subsidiary of Toyota, they would need to submit their budget for funding to Toyota. Which then means someone in Japan is supporting the development and ongoing commitment to the TMG car - as they are paying for it.

The more I look at this the more it feels like Tommi is a sideshow..

[Rally Power]

The more I look at this the more it feels like Tommi is a sideshow..

Don't believe so! Makinen choice was a personal one from Toy's boss Mr. Toyoda (grandson of the company founder), so it's hard to believe that it'll be reversed. TMG's guys seems to be pushing as hard as they can because they may fell the choice unjustified and probably their WRC program funding is in place since the beginning of the year. TMG's site on the WRC project somehow reflects some uncertainty as they talk about expanding the Yaris development but they end by saying their role is to assist Toyota involvement in WRC (http://www.toyota-motorsport.com/mot...yaris-wrc#tab1). For sure at any moment there will be a clarifying response from Japan, because these news may damage Toy's motorsport reputation.

[AndyRAC]

Two test teams makes sense but not if you're testing different cars - if that is indeed the case.

I'd really love one of the rally journos to fully pull everything together and try to work out where TMR ends and where TMG begins. We know there will be some partnership - but I doubt it's a joyful close relationship with all those politics at play.

Same here. Time for some of the rally journos to earn their corn - instead of rehashing PR pieces.