TOYOTA CONFIRMS FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY AND TWO CARS FOR LE MANS

• Toyota Racing enters 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship
• Toyota TS030 Hybrid to make debut at the Six Hours of Spa Francorchamps on 5 May
• Two-car entry for Le Mans 24 Hours

Toyota Racing has expanded its plans for the 2012 season and entered the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The team had originally planned only to take part in selected races – fewer than required to be considered a full-time entrant – but revised its programme after unexpected changes faced by the championship. This means the Toyota TS030 Hybrid will make its racing debut at the Six Hours of Spa Francorchamps on 5 May.

Toyota Racing has also confirmed it will enter two cars for the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16/17 June. The regular driver line-up of Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazui Nakajima are confirmed for the race, with details of the line-up for the additional car to be announced shortly.

Yoshiaki Kinoshita, team president, said: “The circumstances for the championship changed suddenly in recent weeks and Toyota Racing considers it important to work together with the FIA and ACO to establish a successful future for endurance racing. We have done everything we can to show our support and we look forward to an exciting season, including the opportunity to race two cars at Le Mans.