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Toyota Corolla WRC

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Toyota Corolla WRC
A Corolla WRC in 2015
CategoryWorld Rally Car
ConstructorToyota Motorsport GmbH
PredecessorToyota Celica GT-Four ST
SuccessorToyota Yaris WRC
Technical specifications[1]
Length4,100 mm (161.4 in)
Width1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Height1,365 mm (53.7 in)
Axle track
  • 1,564 mm (61.6 in) (front)
  • 1,556 mm (61.3 in) (rear)
Wheelbase2,465 mm (97.0 in)
Engine1,972 cc (120.3 cu in) I4 turbo charge
Front transverse
TransmissionSix-speed sequential
4-wheel drive
Weight1,230 kg (2,711.7 lb)
TyresMichelin
Competition history (WRC)
Notable entrantsJapan Toyota Castrol Team
Notable drivers
DebutFinland 1997 Rally Finland
First winMonaco 1998 Monte Carlo Rally
Last winChina 1999 Rally China
RacesWinsPodiumsTitles
324301
Constructors' Championships1 (1999)

The Toyota Corolla WRC is a World Rally Car built for the Toyota Castrol Team [es] by Toyota Motorsport GmbH to compete in the World Rally Championship. It is based upon the E110 version of Toyota Corolla road car. The car was debuted at the 1997 Rally Finland, and replaced the Toyota Celica Turbo ST205. It won a total of four rally victories and the 1999 World Manufacturers' title.

Competition history

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A Corolla WRC in 2002, with model-style front.

The Toyota Corolla WRC (World Rally Car) is special purpose rally car based on the European Corolla 3 door Hatchback (E110), and powered by a modified 3S-GTE engine with water-cooled turbo system producing 223 kW (299 hp) and 4WD system copied from the Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205.[2]

It was launched in July 1997, and made its debut at the 1997 Rally Finland with Didier Auriol and Marcus Grönholm behind the wheel.[3]

For 1998 WRC season, double World Rally Champions Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya joined the Toyota Team Europe, and won the 1998 Monte Carlo Rally. It was the first victory for the Corolla WRC.[4] Didier Auriol won the 1999 China Rally, and Toyota won the 1999 manufacturer's title while the company stopped participating in rallying, in order to prepare for a switch to Formula One in 2002.[5]

World Rally Championship results

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Championship titles

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Year Title Competitor Entries Wins Podiums Points
1999 FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers Japan Toyota Castrol Team 30 1 15 109

WRC victories

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No. Event Season Driver Co-driver
1 Monaco 1998 Monte Carlo Rally 1998 Spain Carlos Sainz Spain Luis Moya
2 Spain 1998 Rallye Catalunya 1998 France Didier Auriol France Denis Giraudet
3 New Zealand 1998 Rally New Zealand 1998 Spain Carlos Sainz Spain Luis Moya
4 China 1999 China Rally 1999 France Didier Auriol France Denis Giraudet

References

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  1. ^ "Corolla WRC". juwra.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Toyota Corolla WRC Specs (1997)". rallycars. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  3. ^ "47. Neste Rally Finland 1997". e-wrc.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  4. ^ "66. Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1998". e-wrc.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Toyota set for F1 debut". BBC Sport. 5 February 2001. Retrieved 5 July 2007.
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Awards
Preceded by Autosport
Rally Car of the Year

1999
Succeeded by