To increase options for carbon neutrality and what form the next model should take, the GR86 is competing in the Super Taikyu Series. What was the ideal form seen in this season's competition?
Technology advancements through good competition
The Toyota members all agreed that the “presence of Subaru as a rival was necessary” for the GR86’s development. Subaru’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Tetsuo Fujinuki, expressed the same sentiment at the Okayama International Circuit in Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, where the sixth race was held.
Fujinuki
Both the 86 and BRZ evolved at a truly surprising pace. I realized that good competition spurs technological advancement.
Koji Sato, President of GAZOO Racing Company, summed up the competition with rivals as follows.
Sato
I think it was a year in which the scheme to improve technical capabilities through competition started to function in earnest, as the manufacturers competed in the Super Taikyu Series, bringing in their own technology.
In addition to the development of human resources and the evolution of the cars, it was a meaningful year for each manufacturer to clarify their differences.
Battling it out head-to-head with Subaru was pure enjoyment, and I felt that the thought, “I can’t lose because I have someone to compete with” is something inherent in human beings.
Our engineers have really developed, while the young people at Subaru are coming up with all kinds of ideas with a sparkle in their eyes.
I believe this kind of competition throughout the year has allowed the Japanese automobile industry and each respective manufacturer to store up energy (for manufacturing) that will lead to something important.
Sato said he plans to invite Honda and Nissan, who have yet to participate, to come and join the competition in the ST-Q class.
He also had high hopes for Mazda, which upgraded from the Mazda 2 to the Mazda 3 in the final race, to enliven the entire automobile industry, saying, “I hope they will quickly improve their time and compete head-on with the hydrogen-powered Corolla next year.”
It should be remembered that the GR86, Subaru BRZ, and Mazda 3 are competing in the ST-Q class and racing on carbon-neutral fuel.