32767 view(s) During
the 1995 season Toyota entered a fleet of race tuned Supra GT's in the
AJGT. Packed into the Supra look alike body shell was Toyota's latest
racing technology.
A 2,140cc, 4-cylinder turbocharged powerplant was taken from Toyota's
Eagle Mk.III which was active during the '93 IMSA races in the USA The
X-Trac developed sequential 6-speed gearbox efficiently transmitted
this engine's awesome power to the rear wheels. Four wheel double wishbone
suspension components were taken from another Toyota prototype racer,
the TS010. The body shell was extensively modified to obtain even better
aerodynamics. Additional air intakes and outlets, oversized fenders
and a huge rear spoiler, gave its massive silhouette an even more aggressive
appearance.
Le Mans 1995-96
Although competitive in Japan, the Supra , like its Japanese counterpart
the Skyline GTR, was no match against the European GT's at Le Mans.
Derived from a street GT , the GTR was simply too heavy and lacked reliability
over 24hrs. After 2 years running the Supra Toyota realised that no
matter how many bits & pieces from its successful Group-C's they
would bolt onto the GTR it would never win. By 1997 they vowed to be
back with an all new design which would shock the GT community.
Home sweet home
Back in Japan the Supra was better matched against the Honda NSX
and Skyline GT-R and continued to battle way into the next century.
In the 2002 season, Akira Iida and Juichi Wakisaka won the Driver's
Championship in the GT500 class. In its latest guise the Supra races
a 5,1 litre V8 and a six speed sequential gearbox.
Toyota Supra GTR data
Type |
(LxWxH) mm |
Wheelbase |
Tyres |
Wheels |
Top speed |
Supra GT ( AJGT 1996) |
4520x1910x1200 |
2550mm |
Bridgestone
285/55 R 18 & 335/40 R 18 |
Volk Racing 18" |
+278 km/h |
Supra GTR (LM 1996) |
4530x1910x1200 |
2570mm |
Dunlop
335/40 R 18, 355/40 R 18 |
Rays 12Jx18,12,75Jx18 |
+ 298 km/h |
Supra GTR V8 (JGTC 2004) |
4520x1910x1198 |
2550mm |
Bridgestone
330/40, 350/40 R 18 |
Rays
12,5Jx18,13Jx18 |
n/a |
|