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- By Franklin Junior Journalist Mercedes Basevi
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival has become one of the key events in New Zealand motorsport.
Held at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on Saturday, March 28, it was a full-on day with plenty of off-track activities for kids and adults alike.
A favourite seemed to be the pit stop challenge – grown men racing to change tyres was quite the entertainment. Another included the Gazoo Racing Simulator challenge; watching the kids wrench the steering wheel in all manner of directions was amusing to see.
The judges were brought out at 9am, inspecting all the cars in the Show & Shine. There were Celicas, Starlets, Prados, Land Cruisers, Corollas, MR2s, Supras, Crowns, and many more.
The Skid Pan Gymkhana was a fan favourite, with many flocking to the sides to watch. Drivers had to be skilled enough to drift around cones while trying to gain traction on wet, slippery concrete – it looked rather difficult. A hilarious moment occurred when a group of guys stood too close to the barrier… and got soaked by the Corolla E30.
For the very first time, Toyota Gazoo Racing announced that their renowned 4×4 experience day would be coming to Hampton Downs. The new feature proved so in demand that “we have already sold out of spaces for the experience [as of March 20]”, Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand chief strategic officer and vice president, Andrew Davis, told <ITALICS> Toyota News.
“An iconic event that brings like-minded people together each year, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival is a great way to celebrate our customers, meet old friends and take in the iconic vehicles.”
On show at the festival were the new GR Corolla and Yaris models, which proved their worth in the Hot Laps. Running in three 15-minute blocks, one lucky fan per car got to drift around the speedway with a Pro Driver – an experience for sure.
Everyone who attended the event also got the chance to go around the course, in their own cars, for an hour of pure adrenaline. This was called the Happy Laps, and it did seem to put everyone in a better mood. Attendees owning Toyota or Lexus cars participating in this also got to do the Parade Lap and be a part of the “now infamous” Toyota Gazoo Racing photo.
Toyota Gazoo Racing is focused on pushing the limits for better, which includes testing the capabilities of low-emission technology.
Davis says the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival “reflects our commitment to our customers, a love of our heritage and is tied to our Let’s Go Places vision by showcasing mobility for all, pushing the limits for better, connection with community, and it is about having fun!”
