Ever since the Japanese automaker decided to pull out of Formula One racing two years ago, there have been rumors among the racing community that they did so in order to concentrate on returning to the Le Mans endurance race. Regrettably, Toyota has never won the Le Mans race. The only Japanese automaker that has ever won the Le Mans race was able to accomplish this with their well-known rotary engine. Taking this into consideration, Toyota has changed their approach for the race this year. Toyota has decided to incorporate the hybrid technology they are known for onto the track.

That is correct; the Japanese automaker is getting ready to impress the world by developing a hybrid race car to race in the 24-hour Le Mans race. Five years ago, the leaders of the Le Mans decided to use alternative fuels, in order to endorse sustainable racing. Now, automakers from across the globe are planning to present both hybrid and electric cars to make history as the first hybrid winners of the Le Mans race.

"Toyota Motor Corporation has entered Le Mans before, but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge," says Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motorsport Chairman. "We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology."¹

Will Toyota make automotive history at Le Mans? Tanksy Toyota, conveniently located at 6300 Sawmill Rd Dublin, OH, certainly thinks so, especially when you consider the kind of attention to detail that you'll find in every new Toyota model that they produce. If you'd like to learn more about any vehicle in the Toyota lineup, be sure to contact Tansky Toyota online or by phone at 614-766-4800.

Source: ¹http://www.echonews.com.au/story/2011/10/20/toyota-back-le-mans-challenge/