Unveiling a Year's Work: A Documentary on the Emergence of GR Yaris Rally2 - "Roads Shape People and Automobiles"
GR Yaris Rally2: A Journey of Continuous Improvement and Innovation
The development of the GR Yaris Rally2 has been a journey marked by trial and error, systematic feedback incorporation, and continuous improvement. At the heart of this process is a dedicated team, led by key figures such as Norihiko Katsuta, who have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of rally car technology.
One of the most significant milestones in this journey was the introduction of hydrogen combustion technology in the Rally2 cars. The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, a hydrogen-powered variant of the original GR Yaris Rally2, was unveiled at Rally Japan 2022. This car retains the core rally chassis but replaces the gasoline engine with a modified 1.6L turbocharged hydrogen-compatible engine, aiming to deliver near-zero CO2 emissions without compromising the traditional rally driving experience.
The development process for the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept has relied heavily on testing and real-world trial and error. Local road testing in Jyväskylä, Finland, and demonstration runs in competitive environments such as the Rally Finland and FIA World Rally Championship rounds have been crucial in refining the car’s performance, fuel system, and handling characteristics.
Feedback from drivers and team principals, including Jari-Matti Latvala and Akio Toyoda, has been essential in this refinement process. Their insights have helped balance challenges like limited hydrogen infrastructure, refueling times, range reduction compared to gasoline models, and cost considerations.
The focus has been on continuous improvement, with the team working tirelessly to identify and fix issues as they arise. For instance, an exhaust leak was discovered during a rally, and engineers and mechanics worked diligently to repair it as quickly as possible. Similarly, deteriorated parts were unearthed during the development process, and these were addressed promptly.
The GR Yaris Rally2 is designed to expand the scope of rallying for private drivers. Morizo, the mastermind behind this project, inherited the principle "Roads build people and cars" from his driving master, Hiromu Naruse. To ensure the GR Yaris Rally2 meets the needs of these drivers, Morizo acquired the first GR Yaris Rally2 to uncover issues and feed the results back into other cars.
Despite the numerous challenges faced during the development process, the team remains committed to their greatest mission: continuous improvement for the GR Yaris Rally2. This dedication was exemplified when Katsuta, the development driver for the GR Yaris Rally2, pushed the car to its limits, uncovering defects that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
In January 2024, the GR Yaris Rally2 was officially approved by the FIA for sale as a rally car. Katsuta, however, still insists he needs to train and learn driving techniques from his greatest rival. This commitment to learning and improvement reflects the broader philosophy of Toyota Gazoo Racing, which has been instrumental in promoting practical racing experience and iterative refinement in their motorsport projects.
In conclusion, the GR Yaris Rally2's development journey exemplifies a blend of technological innovation, systematic trial and error, and the integration of feedback from experts and drivers, spearheaded by a passionate and persistent development leadership. This approach is aimed at continuous enhancement in performance and sustainability.
In the pursuit of continuous enhancement, the focus of the GR Yaris Rally2's development journey extends to the realm of finance, as key figures like Norihiko Katsuta seek funding for advanced technologies such as hydrogen combustion engines.
The dedication to continuous improvement in the transportation industry is evident in the team's adoption of sustainable practices, demonstrated by the development of the hydrogen-powered GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept. Similarly, the sports sector benefits from this approach, with the FIA approving the sale of the GR Yaris Rally2, promoting practical racing experience and iterative refinement in its motorsport projects.
