Toyota 86 goes racing at the Ring

Two of the soon-to-be released rear-wheel-drive sports cars, expected to cost a touch under $40,000 when they land in Oz, have been tweaked and prepped by Toyota’s racing partner Gazoo Racing and will be joined by their $700,000 stable mate the Lexus LFA (pictured below), competing at the Green Hell under Gazoo Racing since 2008.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda has long been obsessed with the infamous 28km circuit, racing there himself numerous times and relying on it to push the development of the LFA and LFA Nurburgring Edition.

Toyota’s motorsport campaign with Gazoo Racing goes further than just the on-track competition with the aim being to expand the appeal of motorsport and entice more people to become car enthusiasts.

This concept is exhibited by its 2012 slogan, “I Love Cars!”

This latest development continues the trend of both Toyota and Subaru using the new 86 and BRZ as catalysts to return to motorsport.

Subaru is competing in Japan’s Super GT300 series and Toyota will have 86s in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and All-Japan Rally Championship.

There is even a turbocharged 86 (Scion FR-S pictured above) competing in the 2012 Formula Drift season in America and Max Orido’s V8-transplanted 86 in D1.

An impressive line-up of Toyota motorsport cars, including the three Gazoo Racing cars from the Nurburgring, the BTCC Avensis, the Celica GT4 and Corolla WRC will be in attendance at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.