While Toyota rolls out the new Corolla Hybrid sedan at the LA Auto Show this week, its European division has introduced a decidedly racier version on the other side of the Atlantic.
The Corolla Hatchback is being prepared for an assault on the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship, to be campaigned by Team Toyota GB and Speedworks Motorsport.
The new touring car replaces the larger, outgoing Avensis, with which Speedworks took both the team and driver trophies in the independent category the past two years running. And the same driver, Tom Ingram, who helped Toyota and Speedworks achieve those feats will take to the wheel of the new Corolla in next year’s championship.
The move will see Speedworks step up from the ranks of the independent teams to the manufacturer-supported works field, which will put it in challenging territory. Though Toyota’s the only team confirmed so far for next season, this year’s constructor entries included racing versions of the Honda Civic Type R, Vauxhall Astra, Subaru Levorg, and the BMW 125i M Sport that won the championship outright the past three years running.
“Bringing the Corolla name and Team Toyota GB back to the British Touring Car Championship in 2019 is a great way of helping us launch this important, all-new British-built car,” said Toyota GB spokesman Andrew Cullis. “Speedworks Motorsport and Tom Ingram have a winning track record and we look forward to working with them throughout the coming season.”
“As a team, we are ready to pitch ourselves against the very best in Britain,” added Speedworks team principal Christian Dick,” and, with Toyota GB’s backing, we are confident of doing just that.”
The 2019 BTCC series kicks off at Brands Hatch on April 6.
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