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New Corolla TCR under construction

By Auto Action

More Toyota Corolla GRS TCR customer cars are taking shape after the model enjoyed a dream debut in the conclusion of the TCR South America series.

Construction has begun of the Corolla GRS TCR in a facility in Zarate, Argentina to be ready for customers to compete in the new TCR Brazil and South America series.

The new model went through the homologation process earlier this year and was awarded a region based statues to race in South America.

The new cart needed just two races to claim its maiden win after Jorge Barrio took the opening race of the recent TCR South America round at Buenos Aires.

Following its successful on track start, Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina hopes to build 10 customer cars and is expected to expand into other markets with Australia and Canada earmarked as prioritised areas, as stated to WSC Group founder and owner Marcello Lotti at the recent Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.

The new Toyota Corolla GRS TCR in action in South America.

Back in June this year former Australian Racing Group CEO Matt Braid said “I think you’ll see Toyota represented on the grid.”.

General Manager of Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina, Juan Pablo Grano provided an update on the new Corolla TCR GRS program with the 10 cars under construction set to race in South America.

“A team was put together with Toyota Argentina’s own engineers and with engineers from our competition teams,” Grano told Motor1 Argentina.

“We completed the homologation process, carried out the mandatory tests in Italy and Germany, and thus obtained the BOP (Balance of Performance), which is the formula applied to each TCR vehicle to balance performance on the track.

“This year we had our first experiences in competition, without scoring points, and the result was very good, including a victory in the race. Now we are in the next step, which is to start the production of the cars.

“The commitment we have with the TCR promoters WSC Group is that during the first year we are going to produce 10 cars. The 10 cars, in agreement with our parent company, will go to the TCR South America and TCR Brazil championships. The first six will be delivered before March, so that they can start the season already running, while the other four will be completed around June.

“The first car is the one that was running this year without points and now we are completing cars number two and three.

“The first part of manufacturing is carried out in the Toyota Gazoo Racing workshops in Córdoba, where the safety cage is manufactured, the wheels and the Lexus 2.0 turbo engine are placed, with a maximum power of 350 horsepower by regulation.

“Afterwards, the car is brought to Zárate, to this new manufacturing facility, to carry out the final production, where all the wiring, the gearbox, the steering, the suspension, all the electronic part are placed, and the final completion is carried out.

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