Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation are teaming up to host their first-ever joint motorsport event in South Korea, the ‘Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival,’ taking place on Oct. 27, 2024, at the Everland Speedway in Yong-in.
The unique event aims to offer fans a close-up look at high-performance vehicles and rally cars from both brands, along with a thrilling rally-style demo drive. This collaborative track day will not only highlight the brands’ competitive spirits but also provide a glimpse into the future of motorsport with prototype models.
Rally Drivers and High-Performance Cars Take Center Stage
Hyundai and Toyota, both known for their achievements in global motorsport, are bringing their top drivers and rally cars to the festival.
Fans can look forward to seeing Hyundai N’s i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid and i20 N Rally 2, piloted by World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo, and Andreas Mikkelsen. The automaker will also feature production models like the IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N, driven by TCR stars Norbert Mischelisz and Mikel Azcona.
Toyota GAZOO Racing will showcase their GR YARIS Rally 1 Hybrid, GR Yaris Rally 2, and a lineup of performance models, including the GR Supra and GR86. The event will see participation from Toyota’s WRC driver Takamoto Katsuta, team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, and Katsuta’s father, Norihiko Katsuta, a nine-time Japan Rally Champion.
Hyundai and Toyota Spotlight on Future Technology
The festival is not just about traditional high-performance models — it will also feature innovative technology and future-oriented vehicles. Hyundai will present the IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec and the hydrogen-powered N Vision 74. They will also have the Pikes Peak record-setting IONIQ 5 N TA Spec.
Meanwhile, Toyota will display their hydrogen combustion engine AE86 H2 Concept and the liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla. This will showcase their multi-pathway approach to electrification.
Motorsport Rivalry and Collaboration
This collaboration is a rare display of camaraderie between two brands that are usually fierce competitors in the WRC. Both Hyundai and Toyota expressed excitement about coming together to elevate motorsport culture in Korea.
“We are excited to welcome the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team, our competitors in the WRC, to Korea,” said Yeong Ho Lee, Hyundai’s Executive Vice President, Global Operations Division. “This event will emphasize the fierce competition and friendship that coexist in motorsport and is an opportunity to demonstrate the pure passion for cars shared by both Hyundai and Toyota, as well as our commitment to further expand motorsport culture in the future.”
Toyota echoed the sentiment, with Manabu Konyama, CEO and President of Toyota Motor Korea, stating:
“We’re glad that Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, which are competitors in world motorsport, are working together to create an opportunity to enjoy car culture beyond motorsport”, said Konyama. “Toyota remains committed to furthering and strengthening motorsports culture.
With key executives like Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda — known for his driver persona ‘Morizo’— set to attend, the event is poised to be a milestone in promoting motorsport and car culture in Korea.
Hyundai and Toyota Revitalizing Korea’s Motorsport Scene
Hyundai has a long history of supporting motorsport in Korea. They’ve had events like the Hyundai Click Speed Festival (2003-2010), Korea Speed Festival (2011-2018) and the Hyundai N Festival. This new collaboration with Toyota is expected to further invigorate Korea’s motorsport culture. As well as solidify the brands’ commitment to developing a vibrant car community.
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