Toyota enters GR Corolla RC2 in American rally in 2026 and bets on new phase in the sport

The Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced its official entry into the Campeonato Nacional of the American Rally Association (ARA) from 2026, marking a new chapter for the manufacturer in rally motorsport. The vehicle chosen for the competition is the GR Corolla RC2, a rally version of the popular street model.

The debut of the GR Corolla RC2 is scheduled for the second stage of the 2026 season, the renowned 100 Acre Wood Rally. Este event will be held in March, in the state of Missouri, in Estados Unidos, attracting great attention from fans and specialized media.

The car will be controlled by the young American driver Seth Quintero, aged 23, who will be co-piloted by the experienced Finnish driver Topi Luhtinen. Quintero, already known for his performance in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) for Toyota, now expands his career to the stage rally.

GR Corolla RC2 preparations and technology

The development of the GR From that point on, the Toyota Gazoo Racing technical team dedicated itself to transforming the vision into a competitive vehicle, incorporating advanced technologies and expertise accumulated in other motorsport categories.

The final version of the car integrates several innovations and components already tested and approved in the GR Yaris Rally2, a successful model from the manufacturer. Entre features include the 1.6 three-cylinder turbo engine, known for its power and efficiency, and an all-wheel drive system that guarantees superior performance on different types of terrain. Ex-drivers of the Campeonato Mundial of Rali (WRC), such as Jari-Matti

Historic return of the Corolla to the American rally

The name Corolla is no stranger to the world of rallying, having a remarkable trajectory in the 1970s and 1990s, where it gained recognition and important titles. Hannu Mikkola, a legend of the sport, piloted an early version of the Corolla to victory in the 1000 Lakes Rally in 1975, cementing the model’s legacy in high-level competition. The culmination of this era occurred in 1999, when the Toyota, with the Corolla WRC, became champion of the WRC manufacturers’ title, an achievement that consolidated its global reputation in motorsport and demonstrated the brand’s engineering capabilities.

After a period of absence from top-level rallying, the Japanese brand made a triumphant return with the Yaris in the late 2010s, which quickly became a dominant force in the WRC, accumulating multiple titles in the following years and reaffirming the Toyota’s commitment to excellence in world competitions. Agora, the decision to reintroduce the Corolla, in the form of the GR Este strategic move aims to strengthen the connection between street models and track performance, using racing feedback to continually improve production vehicles and raise the standard of innovation.

The pilot Seth Quintero and its debut

Seth Quintero, the driver chosen to command the GR Sua experience in long-distance competitions in W2RC will be crucial for adapting to the shorter and more intense stages of Campeonato Americano and Rali, demanding focus and agility.

The young driver had the opportunity to test the GR Corolla RC2 alongside legendary WRC names such as Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hänninen. Essa collaboration allowed Quintero to absorb valuable knowledge and refine his riding technique, preparing him for the challenges to come on North American tracks and ensuring an accelerated learning curve.

The debut in March 2026 will mark the beginning of seven stages planned for Quintero in the season. Toyota Gazoo Racing closely monitors its performance and evaluates the possibility of expanding the driver’s participation in future races, depending on the results and evolution throughout the championship.

The official presence of Toyota at ARA

The entry of the Toyota into the Campeonato Nacional of the American Rally Association (ARA) marks the automaker’s first official participation in the series, reflecting a strategic commitment to motorsport in the region. Esta initiative aims, primarily, to develop vehicles that adapt to the unique characteristics of North American roads, improving technologies and performance for future production models.

Furthermore, participation seeks to strengthen the connection with motorsport enthusiasts, offering high-performance cars that directly benefit from experience in real competitions. The vision of chairman Akio Toyoda, who has always prioritized motorsport as a pillar for the development of better vehicles, is a fundamental driver behind this expansion into new markets.

RC2 Class Competition and Details

The arrival of the GR Corolla RC2 to the Campeonato Nacional from the The category requires vehicles with rigorous technical specifications, promoting an environment of fierce competition and constant innovation among participants.

One of the Toyota’s main rivals will be the Subaru, which has a long-standing partnership with Vermont SportsCar, consolidating its position as one of the most traditional and successful competitors in the ARA. The Subaru team has vast experience and a history of victories that places it as a reference in the category.

In addition to Subaru, other brands such as Mini and Honda have increased their participation in recent years, bringing a diversity of vehicles and teams that raise the technical level and competitiveness of the championship. The presence of these manufacturers demonstrates the growing interest and growth potential of the rally in the Estados Unidos, attracting more and more investment and talent.

Toyota plans to use its own team of employees, including engineers and mechanics, to operate the car, ensuring that in-house expertise is applied directly to the development and maintenance of the GR Corolla RC2. Essa strategy aims not only at victory, but also at learning and transferring knowledge between the tracks and the production of street vehicles, strengthening the company’s performance culture.

Legacy and future of GR Corolla in sport

The Toyota Gazoo Racing seeks to expand the popularity of rallying into the América from the Norte, especially as the GR Corolla is marketed in the region as a street model with direct inspiration from the sport. The competitive presence serves as a showcase for the brand’s vehicle and engineering capabilities, creating a direct connection with consumers and fans.

The GR Corolla RC2 directly benefits from the vast experience and success of the Toyota WRC team, which has won six manufacturers’ titles since 2018. Active participation in competitions like ARA allows Toyota to improve its production cars through feedback from real racing scenarios, validating technologies and designs under extreme conditions. Este project underlines the automaker’s ongoing commitment to developing high-performance vehicles that offer an exciting and safe driving experience on common roads, consolidating the philosophy of “building ever better cars.”