Toyota ramps up GR Yaris Rally2 test programme

The GR Yaris Rally2 is going through its homologation inspection this week, with the aim of having the car sanctioned by the FIA on January 1, ahead of a possible Rallye Monte-Carlo debut.

French driver Stéphane Lefebvre and Finland’s Sami Pajari are the drivers testing yesterday and today. The same Yaris will be used as a zero car on this weekend’s Rallye du Dévoluy.

Toyota's technical director, Tom Fowler, said: “We’re running the car in the Alps in December with an eye on Monte Carlo, but it’s not really a pre-event or a set-up test. It’s just another part of the process for us – what we’re doing here is mirroring the week for a WRC2 competitor or a Rally2 crew in the European Rally Championship or wherever.

“We have some testing time at the start of the week, then the rally at the end. Like I said, it’s something of a simulation.

“We’re really happy with the way testing has gone. Everything is coming together at the right time and we’re excited to see the car out there.”

Image: José Arellano