Toyota Revs Up for GT86 and LFA in Nürburgring 24 with Video

Gazoo Racing and  the Toyota Swiss Racing Team are entering a total of four Toyota GT-86sToyota GT 86Japan, 2012 > present9 photos
- two each- into the 40th Nürburgring 24 Hours this weekend. Gazoo is also entering an LFALexus LFA Gen.0Japan, 2012 > present4 versions
12 photos
2 videos
for the fourth time in four years. 

The GT-86 is in the SP3 class that has it competing with cars like the Opel MantaOpel MantaGermany, 1970 > 19882 series
15 versions
12 photos
2 videos
, Honda S2000Honda S2000United States of America, 2007 > present4 photos
, Renault ClioRenault ClioFrance, 1990 > present4 series
318 versions
514 photos
3 videos
and Volkswagen GTI MK3Volkswagen Golf GTiGermany, 1991 > present2 photos
1 video
. Some of the four cars will be driven by Toyota employees to further develop the car.

The GT-86s entered by Toyota Swiss Racing Team are in the V3 class with cars like the Renault Clio RSRenault Clio III 2.0 16v RSFrance, 2009 > present3 photos
and Opel Astra GTCOpel Astra GTC Gen.1Germany, 2011 > present18 versions
78 photos
. The V3 class is meant for production cars with a displacement between 1.8l and 2.0l; while the SP3 class is meant for race-prepped cars with 1.75l to 2.0l. 

The LFA is in the SP8 class, which is the second-fastest class in the race. It will be competing against the Aston Martin V12 ZagatoAston Martin V12 ZagatoUnited Kingdom, 2011 > present19 photos
1 video
, Hyundai Genesis CoupeHyundai Genesis CoupéRepublic of Korea, 2013 > present6 photos
, Callaway Corvette C6Chevrolet Corvette Gen.6United States of America, 2004 > present56 versions
176 photos
1 video
and Audi A8Audi A8 Gen.3Germany, 2010 > present48 versions
116 photos
. The LFA will be driven by Takayuki Kinoshita, Akira Iida and Juichi Wakisaka. The LFA has won its class in previous VLN races at the Nürburgring this season. 

“The momentum of our team is very good. Our target for the 24 Hours Nürburgring race is to maintain a steady pace, in line with the way we have chosen to set up the vehicles.  Nevertheless, we have to run at good speed and confident we will be full ready before the 24-hour event,” said Iida.

English language viewers will be able to stream the race on Radio Lemans and Audi TV. German viewers will be able to stream the race on Sport Auto and Sport 1. The race begins at 4:00pm local time on Saturday, May 19. 

Below is a video from the second VLN race showing one of the Gazoo Racing GT-86s practicing.