Toyota confirms GR Corolla RC2 to compete in the American rally championship in 2026 By Beatriz
3 min read
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Toyota Gazoo Racing announced participation in the Campeonato Nacional of American Rally Association (ARA) in 2026 with a rally car based on the GR Corolla.
The model, called GR Corolla RC2, will compete in the RC2 class, equivalent to the international Rally2 level.
The debut will take place from the second stage of the season, the 100 Acre Wood Rally, held in March at Missouri, at Estados Unidos.
The American pilot Seth Quintero, aged 23, will command the vehicle, with the Finnish Topi Luhtinen as co-pilot.
Quintero also competes in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) for Toyota.
Development of GR Corolla RC2
The project began after the presentation of a concept at Tokyo Auto Salon, in January 2025.
The final version incorporates technologies from the GR Yaris Rally2, including a 1.6 three-cylinder turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
Former WRC drivers such as Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hänninen took part in the tests.
Toyota collaborates with Rallysport Services to adapt the car to North American conditions.
The manufacturer plans to evaluate the entry of a second car at selected stages of the season.
Introducing the GR Corolla Rally RC2 which will compete on American soil in 2026 🇺🇸🤩#ToyotaGAZOORacing #GRCorolla #TGR_ARA pic.twitter.com/BQbXkzR6ZN
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC)December 19, 2025
History of the Corolla in the rally
The Corolla was present in world rallying in the 1970s and 1990s.
Hannu Mikkola won the 1000 Lakes Rally in 1975 with an old version.
Toyota won the WRC manufacturers’ title in 1999 with the Corolla WRC.
The brand absented itself from high-level rallying after this, returning with the Yaris in the late 2010s.
The Yaris has dominated the WRC, with multiple titles in recent years.
The return of the Corolla to rallying now takes place in the American championship.
Participation of Toyota in ARA
The entry represents the first official presence of Toyota at ARA.
The goal includes developing vehicles on North American roads and improving cars for enthusiasts.
The initiative aligns with chairman Akio Toyoda’s vision of prioritizing motorsport.
- Main rivals in the RC2 class:
- Subaru, with long-standing ARA partnership via Vermont SportsCar.
- Other automakers such as Mini and Honda, which have increased their recent presence.
Toyota plans to use employees such as engineers and mechanics on the team.
Pilot and debut
Seth Quintero transitions from rally raid to stage rally.
He highlighted the difference in intensity between long distances in W2RC and short stages in ARA.
The driver tested the car alongside Latvala and Hänninen.
The debut in March marks the beginning of seven stages planned for Quintero.
Toyota evaluates expansion of participation throughout 2026.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Strategy
The automaker is looking to expand the rally into América from Norte, where the GR Corolla is sold as a sport-inspired street model.
The GR Corolla RC2 leverages expertise from the WRC team, winner of six manufacturers’ titles since 2018.
Participation aims to improve production cars through feedback from real competitions.
The project reinforces the commitment to performance vehicles for common roads.
