Tag Archives: gazoo

Lexus

Gazoo Racing at the Nürburgring video – Determined to Suceed

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Gazoo Racing LFA

Here is a great little video of Gazoo Racing steep learning curve at the infamous 24h race on the Nürburgring in Germany, the story began in 2008 where the racing prototype finished in 121st place due to some extended time in the pits where it managed 100 laps compared to the 148 by the winning GT3 RSR.

A year later the two LF-A racecars were powered by a 4.8-liter (4805cc) V10 engine’s entered again the ADAC 24H, Armin Hahne, Andre Lotterer, and Hiromu Naruse achieved sub-9min laps and a best time of 8:50.458, which was the fastest time in the SP8 class.

The number 15 car suffered fire and had to retire 90mins before the finish of the endurance race, the number 14 car finished the race and was ranked 4th in its class and 87th overall.
Continue reading Gazoo Racing at the Nürburgring video – Determined to Suceed →

Aston Martin, Lexus

Aston Martin CEO Dr Bez racing at Nürburgring with Toyota President

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Aston Martin have just released this amazing insight in to when Toyota President and Dr Bez share cars on the legendary Nurburgring.

The video depicts the ups and downs of motorsport in dramatic style as the V12 powered Aston Martin ends up in the Barrier.

Just enjoy the footage….

Spy Shots, Toyota

Gazoo Racing FT-86 VLN Racer Spyshots

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Toyota FT-86 Racer
Gazoo Toyota FT-86 Racer (Click to see Gallery)

The Toyota FT-86 has still not made its official debut, but on saturday it will make its race debut in Germany. This FT-86 will run in the German VLN series on the Nürburgring. If you remember, they did the same thing with the Lexus LF-A. So its a type of tradition at Toyota/Lexus to race with prototypes.

Lexus, Toyota

Lexus Pays Tribute to the Nurmiester Hiromu Naruse

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Anybody whose ever been associated with Lexus and Toyota will tell you that few people are as respected as Master Test Driver Hiromu Naruse who i met at this years Nurburgring 24h.

The iconic test driver for Toyota began his career with the company as an accountant, but quickly displayed a knack for his expertise in building and developing cars.

In the past 47 years, Naruse inspired and had a hand in building almost every sports car built by Toyota, including his latest work of art, the Lexus LF-A.

Sadly, Naruse’s life was taken while driving the last masterpiece he helped build, the LF-A Nurburgring Edition, after a tragic car accident cost Toyota more than just its “NurMiester”.

The company lost a friend, a brother, a hero, and an icon.

As a sign of respect to honor the man many say is one of the best test drivers in history – he’s logged more hours than any Japanese driver at the Nurburgring – Lexus released a short video in tribute to Hiromu Naruse, the one and only master.

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Lexus

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Chief Test/Engineer Hiromu Naruse Dies in Crash.

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Yesterday on the roads near the Nurburgring, has cost the life of the infamous Toyota/Gazoo chief test driver  and engineer Hiromu Naruse.

The 67-year old was driving a Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition when it crashed into another prototype the BMW 3-Series.

The BMW test drivers, age 34 and 33 years old were also injured, with one in critical condition.

Hiromu Naruse started his career with Toyota in 1963,  And Contributed in important role in developing the Lexus LFA and was a key member of the Gazoo racing team at this years ADAC 24h Race.

Perhaps a rename of the “Nurburgring Edition”  is called for  perhaps simply the “Naruse Nurburgring Edition” would be a fitting tribute for the historic man and marque.

Our condolences go out to all at Lexus and Gazoo Racing.

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News

Nurburgring 24h SP8 Class results #n24 #gazoo @astonmartin @lexus_eu

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The Gazoo team lead the Lexus powered LFA to the SP8 victory in a closely contested battle with the Aston Martin team.

The sound of this cars V10 blipping its way thorugh the gear changes; were really spellbinding you could tell the LFA’s was on route.

Overall the LFA driven by Kinoshita Iida Wakisaka in car 50 finished in overall 19th in the 24h.

The two works Aston Martins finished second and third in the SP8 class, One of the Lexus LF-A of Gazoo Racing kept the two works Aston’s at bay. The V12 Vantage Car 6 had held the class lead until mid-morning when a combination of fuel pump and driveshaft problems left the car driver and motoring journalist Richard Meaden stranded on track.

The team only lost sixteen minutes in repair a true tribute to the team effort shown, returned the car to the race, drivers Chris Porrit, Meaden and Peter Cate able to pull back inside the top 40 – their teammate Oliver Mathai having been taken ill earlier in the race.

It finished just behind Car-7 – the Aston Martin Rapide, which enjoyed a trouble free run thoughout the 24h race.

The race, and the Nordschleife track, was as unforgiving as ever, with only 123 cars surviving to be classified finishers.

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Audi

ADAC 24h Dominated by Audi R8’s LMS #n24

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What a difference a day makes to the qualifying times, they have shaved nearly a full minute off yesterdays time’s and a tribute to the track conditions today.

The Lexus team had a difficult day after car 51 suffered some front end damage courtosy from the armco, and they are currently in positions 25 & 28.

But audi seem to be dominating with there R8 LMS cars sat on the Grid in positions 1-4, This should make for an interesting Race. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DAYS GALLERY

1- 100 Audi R8 LMS 5 8:24.754
2- 98 Audi R8 LMS 7 8:25.571
3- 2 Audi R8 LMS 8 8:36.802
4- 99 Audi R8 LMS 8 8:29.250
5- 8 Porsche GT3 R 3 8:29.521
6- 12 Porsche 911 GT3 R 5 8:29.779
7- 1 Porsche GT3 R 1 8:30.324
8- 25 BMW M3 GT2 10 8:32.861
9- 9 Porsche GT3 R Hybrid 8 8:34.427
10- 20 Porsche GT3 Cup S 4 8:34.906
11- 26 BMW M3 GT2 6 8:48.118
12- 97 Audi R8 LMS 10 8:37.859
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