This GR Corolla Transitioned from Pursuing a 911 to Going Up in Flames | Carscoops

      An engine failure seems to have led to a hot hatch skidding into a tire wall during a track day, resulting in its complete destruction by fire.

      Approximately 7 hours ago, a driver of a Toyota GR Corolla uploaded a video of his car igniting on the track. The all-wheel-drive hot hatch lost control while approaching a corner and erupted in flames. Its overheated turbo engine likely leaked oil onto the road and tire.

      While track days generally pose less risk than actual racing, they can still leave your vehicle in ruins and cost you a significant amount of money. Just ask the owner of this GR Corolla, who witnessed his car go up in flames and ended with a charred shell.

      The GR Corolla driver, known as @gogomorizo on Instagram, was once the proud owner of a well-modified version of Toyota’s hot hatch. However, a shocking accident destroyed the car, and viewers of the video are debating whether it was the car or the driver at fault.

      A Perfect Lap Takes a Turn for the Worse

      In-car footage captured by a helmet-mounted camera shows the driver pursuing a Porsche 911 as he navigates corners during a track day. The sky is clear, and the track conditions appear ideal. Seconds later, however, disaster strikes for the GR.

      As the driver approaches a relatively tight right turn, the back of the Corolla suddenly loses grip, sending it off the track and directly into a tire wall. The airbags deploy, and shortly thereafter, a significant fire breaks out that requires intervention from the marshals. Thankfully, the driver emerged uninjured, but the car was left in ruins, and like many track day enthusiasts, he had no insurance.

      Oil, Heat, and an Expensive Chain Reaction

      The incident occurred near the end of the driver’s initial session, causing the oil to be hot, and it appears that the Corolla could not handle the heat. The 300 hp (304 PS) three-cylinder engine seemingly failed before hitting the turn, spilling oil onto the track where it affected the rear tires, leading to a loss of control. The hot oil escaping from the engine bay soon ignited, signaling the end of the GR Corolla.

      The driver humbly acknowledges that he is still mastering the nuances of track days, including not only the driving aspect but also the car's preparation and monitoring its behavior. It’s easy to critique from behind a screen, suggesting he should have recognized the low oil pressure and coasted through the turn with the clutch engaged. However, it’s a different experience when trying to enjoy the thrill of the moment while chasing down a 911.

      Although the outcome is unfortunate, the driver’s perspective indicates that this won’t be his final lap. While he may be nursing his wounds for the time being, it seems likely he will soon be back on the track, and that resilience is commendable.