Just one month ago we were allowed to drive and test the new Toyota Supra in Madrid. Sized to only 1400kg down, equipped with a racing cage, a bucket seat, slotted Brembo discs, and other minor modifications, launched the still relatively close to production Supra A90 with the appropriate starting number 90 in the long distance race VLN9 at the Nürburgring.
For the first time fans and interested parties could see the new Toyota Supra A90 in the pit gas and close up and remained patient, even with his now open cockpit and engine without cover.
The embargo, especially with regard to the cockpit, Toyota has now completely abandoned, because now many information and images have come to the public, most recently even a parts database for the A90.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda drives the Supra
The participation of the new Supras was officially not announced, but already weeks before the racing version of the A90 was seen at the Nürburgring. With the drivers Yabuki Hisashi , Daenens Herwig (who has already briefed us in Madrid) and the pseudonym Morizo, the team GazooRacing was registered in the group SP8T.
Who knows the history of Toyota knows here immediately. Behind the pseudonym Morizo is none other than Toyota President Akio Toyoda himself, who as an avid motorsport fan already in 2009 with the LF-A participated in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
Due to the heavy fog, the qualifying was postponed by one hour to 9:30. The treacherous weather known for the Nürburgring did not just delight the drivers, but also the visitors with consistently nice sunny weather. With a lap time of 9 minutes and 31 seconds (Green Hell + Grand Prix track), the team reached the starting position 94th
The Nürburgring as a test track for the GR Supra
The new Supra has the potential to become a competitive GT4 version, compared to the GT86, the new Supra has an even lower center of gravity, as well as a better body stiffness, than the all-carbon super car Lexus LFA.
With a second place finish in its class, the team GazooRacing has successfully completed the race after four hours. A perfectly acceptable result of a prototype vehicle, which in its converted form is primarily intended to gather information and experience for the Gazoo Racing version of the Supras A90, according to Toyota. However, the maiden voyage of this racing version was not on the Nürburgring.
On our joke, asking whether we can "test drive" this version, Toyota general manager Alain Dujardyn replied : "We also had this Supra at the Circuito del Jarama in Madrid, but hid it from the public."
The VL9 event was a great highlight for all those who wanted to see the new Supra in Natura and it will not be the last of this form either. Already at the end of November / beginning of December we will be at the next event for you and will of course keep you up to date.
Pictures of the new Supra A90 on the VLN9
Images / Copyright courtesy of Chronos Racing
