MARCOS AMBROSE IN THE WIND TUNNEL

TOYOTA KILLS OFF TRD, RALLY PROGRAMME UNDER REVIEW

Toyota Australia have killed off it's performance line TRD and the local Rally programme could be next. TRD was responsible for the Supercharged Aurion and Hi-Lux designed to take on Holden's HSV and Fords FPV performance brands, but overall the brand failed to capture the publics imagination and sales were disappointing. Toyota Australia senior executive director Dave Buttner said “Toyota made a significant financial commitment to TRD vehicle conversion and clearly understood short-term profitability was unlikely... However, the perspective has changed for business globally and those new rules require tough decisions for the greater good.”  Mr Buttner said that with the realities of the financial crisis and the downturn in consumer confidence, companies worldwide have an overriding responsibility to do their utmost to conserve cash. “...and Toyota is doing just that.“

HONDA OUT, AUDI CUT BACK. WHO’S NEXT!

Honda's decision to leave Formula One is just an early taste of the schism about to hit international motorsport worldwide. As the US based sub-prime economic meltdown hits, Honda will be the first of many to reassess the wisdom of spending millions of dollars on cars going round and round in circles. Already major NASCAR teams are laying off staff and as the US big three put out the begging bowl to US taxpayers one wonders how any sensible Government will view any public funds being ploughed into things like NASCAR, NHRA and the American Le Mans Series. In the week when Audi announced its commitment to building a new diesel powered sports prototype for Le Mans, they also announced a complete pull out from both the European Le Mans series and the ALMS. Toyota, who have probably the biggest exposure of all the Japanese car makers to the collapsing US economy have issued a statement saying that they remain committed to F1. No, sorry that is “currently” committed to F1. Unlike Honda, Toyota have had some limited success at F1 level and also unlike Honda they have the backing of a major naming rights sponsor in Panasonic. But their press release does give very clear indication that unless ways are found to dramatically cut the huge cost of F1 then they too could be the next to go.

TOYOTA BACK TO LE MANS ?

The rumours became whispers now the whispers are becoming a quiet roar, Toyota is heading back to Le Mans. The stories have been around for years but with the limitations of Formula One and the high profile of the Le Mans series in both Europe and the important USA market, the chances of a return by Toyota are growing. Speaking on the Australian television show “In Pit Lane” Toyota's Australian motorsport manager Todd Connolly said the while there was nothing official the company would like to be back at Le Sarthe. “At this stage there is nothing we can say in that reagard but obviously there's a lot of benfits in running a hybrid in  a race like Le Mans. he said. Connolly was speaking from in front of the Toyota stand at the recent Syd.. sorry Australian International Motorshow which featured a heavy motorsport presence including the Tokachi 24 hour winning Supra Hybrid.

HOLDEN SHOCK AT SYDNEY SHOW

Holden once again stole the show at the Australian International Motorshow at Sydney's Darling Harbour, but this time it was not a stunning locally built concept car but the Down Under debut of the Chevy Volt. The Volt has been seen plenty of times before, most recently from Paris, but the big news was that the car will be sold here in Australia as soon as 2012.

AMBROSE CONFIRMS TOYOTA NASCAR MOVE

Marcos Ambrose will end his eight year association with Ford to drive a Toyota in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The Tasmanian driver will move to the Japanese marque after his team JTG Daugherty Racing announced a new technical alliance with current Sprint Cup operation Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) and Toyota Racing Development (TRD) for its first full-time Sprint Cup campaign next season.  JTG Daugherty Racing, co-owned by Tad and Jodi Geschickter and former NBA All-Star and ESPN broadcaster Brad Daugherty, will enter the #47 Toyota Camry driven by Ambrose and backed by primary sponsors, Kingsford Charcoal, Clorox Laundry and Household Products and Little Debbie’s Snack Cakes in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.