Toyota Racing Postpones WEC Entry After Accident

By Anne Proffit

Anne Proffit

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Anne Proffit has worked in the automotive field since - well, not telling you that. She's been a car salesperson (before it was popular to hire... More

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2,077 views Apr 11, 2012

Toyota TS030 HYBRID Le Mans prototype

Enlarge Photo

Toyota Racing has had to postpone its entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship due to a testing crash last Wednesday, April 4 on the Paul Ricard circuit in south France.

The TS030 Hybrid's monocoque was damaged in this incident and there is no spare available for the team to race in the second contest of the series, the WEC Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps scheduled for May 5th.

The damage to the car's tub was too extensive for the team to effect repairs, hence the delayed announcement of their postponement as the team attempted to find ways to fix the car. A replacement monocoque can't be built or tested in time to ensure reliability in the six-hour race.

Because of this incident (no driver named), Toyota Racing informed the organizers of the FIA WEC of its decision to withdraw from the Spa-Franchorchamps contest; the team will make its first competitive appearance at this year's 80th 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid-June.

"We are deeply saddened to announce this decision," said Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Toyota Racing team president, "and our sympathies are with the drivers, team members and fans who have been anticipating the Spa race so eagerly. Since the accident, we have looked into all options but unfortunately there is no alternative course of action open to us."

Toyota Racing intends to prepare a new monocoque - on an urgent basis - to allow it to resume testing as soon as possible and prepare for the Le Mans race.