Toyota Corolla WRC explained

Car Name:Toyota Corolla WRC
Category:World Rally Car
Constructor:Toyota Motorsport GmbH
Predecessor:Toyota Celica GT-Four ST
Successor:Toyota Yaris WRC
Wrc:yes
Team: Toyota Castrol Team
Technical Ref:[1]
Length:41001NaN1
Width:17701NaN1
Height:13651NaN1
Wheelbase:24651NaN1
Capacity:19721NaN1
Configuration:I4
Turbo/Na:turbo charge
Engine Position:
Front transverse
Gears:Six-speed sequential
Type:
4-wheel drive
Weight:12301NaN1
Tyres:Michelin
Debut: 1997 Rally Finland
First Win: 1998 Monte Carlo Rally
Last Win: 1999 Rally China
Races:32
Podiums:30
Wins:4
Titles:1
Cons Champ:1

The Toyota Corolla WRC is a World Rally Car built for the by Toyota Motorsport GmbH to compete in the World Rally Championship. It is based upon the E110 version of Toyota Corolla road car. The car was debuted at the 1997 Rally Finland, and replaced the Toyota Celica Turbo ST205. It won a total of four rally victories and the 1999 World Manufacturers' title.

Competition history

The Toyota Corolla WRC (World Rally Car) is special purpose rally car based on the European Corolla 3 door Hatchback (E110), and powered by a modified 3S-GTE engine with water-cooled turbo system producing and 4WD system copied from the Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205.[2]

It was launched in July 1997, and made its debut at the 1997 Rally Finland with Didier Auriol and Marcus Grönholm behind the wheel.[3]

For 1998 WRC season, double World Rally Champions Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya joined the Toyota Team Europe, and won the 1998 Monte Carlo Rally. It was the first victory for the Corolla WRC.[4] Didier Auriol won the 1999 China Rally, and Toyota won the 1999 manufacturer's title while the company stopped participating in rallying, in order to prepare for a switch to Formula One in .[5]

World Rally Championship results

WRC victories

No.EventSeasonDriverCo-driver
1 1998 Monte Carlo Rally Carlos Sainz Luis Moya
2 1998 Rallye Catalunya Didier Auriol Denis Giraudet
3 1998 Rally New Zealand Carlos Sainz Luis Moya
4 1999 China Rally Didier Auriol Denis Giraudet

Notes and References

  1. News: Corolla WRC. juwra.com. 12 November 2019.
  2. Web site: Toyota Corolla WRC Specs (1997). rallycars. 10 January 2010.
  3. Web site: 47. Neste Rally Finland 1997. e-wrc.com. 12 November 2019.
  4. Web site: 66. Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1998. e-wrc.com. 12 November 2019.
  5. Web site: Toyota set for F1 debut. BBC Sport. 5 February 2001. 5 July 2007.