A collage of motorsport moments from various G R Journal articles throughout 2021, including road trips, community events, and Holly Espray in a white racing helmet.
Journal — Volume 4

Lap one is done, let’s rev it for lap two.

We look back on the best of the GAZOO RACING CLUB’s first year and get pumped for what’s in store in 2022.
3 min read

A huge thanks to all the foundational members who joined us for GAZOO RACING CLUB’s first lap around the sun. It’s been another uncertain year, but one thing’s only become clearer as the club’s grown: the freedom of the open road should never be taken for granted.

As the country went in and out of lockdown, we took every opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful and drivable itineraries on the map. We road-tripped around Victoria’s Yarra Ranges and weaved through West Australia’s desert Pinnacles in a GR Yaris Rallye. We cut through the mist along South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula and wound around the Blue Mountains in a GR Supra.

Writer Tim Harris standing at the open door of a silver Toyota G R Yaris Rally looking off towards an orange sunset. He wears a yellow jacket and black baseball cap.
A grey gravelly road in the Yarra Ranges of Victoria. Native ferns can be seen lining the sides of the road.
Yarra Ranges, Victoria
Total time elapsed

16:46:00

Total distance travelled

2,792 km

Total locations visited

43

A Toyota G R Yaris Rally in Glacier White among sharp limestone formations at The Pinnacles Desert. The sleek white vehicle contrasts with its rugged surroundings.

The Pillars, Western Australia

The view of the coastal pine tree-lined road from the dashboard of a Monza Red G R Supra in Normanville, South Australia.
Writer Walter Marsh stands next to a Monza Red G R Supra as he looks out over the ocean at St Vincent’s Gulf.
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia

We travelled back to 1957 to learn about Toyota’s first international rally showing: a brutal, mostly unpaved, race around Australia. And, when it came to sharpening our skills on a modern circuit, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing up-and-comer Holly Espray showed us how it’s done in our Track Sessions series.

A Toyopet Crown R S D taking part in the 1957 Mobilgas Round Australia Rally. Plumes of dust are left in the vehicle's wake as it drives through the Australian bush.

The world's cruellest rally

Professional racing driver Holly Espray with her white racing helmet on, her hands reaching up towards the helmet visor.
A close-up of professional racing driver Holly Espray with her hands on the wheel of a Toyota G R vehicle. They're placed at 9 and 3 o'clock positions.
Track sessions with Holly Espray

But, of course, it’s been the members who’ve really brought the club to life. Women members were given a white-knuckled Drift Cadet session in Winton Raceway. Lasagne legend/GR Yaris obsessive Joey Kellock let us ride along for some red hot delivery prep. Rally royalty Harry Bates treated members to an exclusive webinar. We had a BBQ at Drift Cadet HQ for the first official GAZOO RACING CLUB meet. And, even when they were bubble-bound, the fact that so many members shared their Welcome Pack unboxing photos and videos really helped drive home the growing sense of club community.

A Storm Black G R 86 in green Drift Cadet livery burning rubber at a Gazoo Racing Club track day.
 
A black and white graphic of professional T G R A racing driver Harry Bates, superimposed with ‘An interview with Harry Bates’ in white.
A man in black clothing loading flowers and gifts into the boot of a G R Yaris in Tarmac Black.
Top: Drift Cadet session in Winton. Bottom left: Harry Bates webinar. Bottom right: Lasagna and GAZOO to the rescue.
A red Gazoo Racing Club founding member flag attached to metal scaffolding, flapping in the wind.

GRC Founding Member flag

A group shot of the Drift Cadets in front of a Glacier White G R Yaris. A member in the middle kneels down while holding up a black T G R A shirt with 'Come drive with us' in the back in white.

Drift Cadet meet-up

The flag’s out for Lap 1

Lap 2’s coming around the bend for the GAZOO RACING CLUB and we’re welcoming the iconic GR86 into the official GR Garage this year. We’re so excited to give members all the latest in the lead up to the launch and beyond.
A stylish shot of a Toyota G R 86 in White Liquid coming over the horizon of a curved racetrack.
A dramatic close-up of a Toyota G R 86 in White Liquid on a race track at high speed. Its left headlamp is in focus, the red and white inner track pattern a blur.
Pre-production overseas model shown

A special thanks goes out to all members who took the time to fill out our club survey. We’ve read your responses and we’ll be addressing your feedback in the coming year. With restrictions eased, we’re planning plenty more real-life meet-ups and member-only access in 2022.

Membership will be restarting officially in April, so stay tuned to find out what’s in store including updates on our plans to optimise the merchandise and memorabilia offering.

We can’t wait to shift things up another gear this year. Check your inbox in the coming months for information on membership for Lap 2. Then polish up that GR badge and come drive with us.

Up next

Aerial view of a muddy Toyota G R Yaris in Glacier White driving up a winding, wet road in rural Australia.

The long way to Bathurst, part one: the drive

Down the coast then up the highlands in search of the best driving roads to Bathurst.