Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Thailand battled severely adverse weather conditions to take an emphatic win at the ADAC Total 24 Hours of Nurburgring 2021.
The Thai team, comprised of No.119 and No.120 Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport cars running on Motul lubricants, achieved a well-deserved double podium in the SP 3 class on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
The Thai team first took part in the 24-hour endurance event in 2014 and they quickly rose to the top of their class in a mere span of 7 years.
2020 saw both cars finish 1-2 in their class and claim the team’s first win at the 48th edition of the Nurburgring classic. Going into 2021, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Thailand was full of confidence to repeat their success. The stage was set at the Green Hell with heavy downpour and fog, demanding intense concentration from the drivers and maximum preparation of the race cars to battle the extreme conditions. The all-Asian driver line-up rose to the challenge in dramatic fashion, tackling the elements head on to push the cars around the danger-filled 25.4km circuit.
Low visibility and torrential showers caused multiple crashes, forcing race officials to suspend the race after 6 hours. Following a 14-hour intermission, the longest in Nurburgring history, the No.120 car restarted the race from P1 and maintained this advantage right to the chequered flag. With the No.119 car rounding off the podium in P3, the Thai team achieved their goal in Germany, and solidified the win in the SP 3 class.
In addition, team director Smittachartch was also awarded the “Ambassador of the Year” award. This award is presented to honor those individuals who enhance the prominence of the ADAC Total 24 Hours of Nurburgring event all over the world.
