Toyota GR Corolla Rally Car Set to Compete in American Rally Championship in 2026
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The Toyota GR Corolla draws inspiration from the company's successful World Rally Championship (WRC) team, but its closest experience to a stage so far has been in the parking lot. This is set to change, as Toyota has announced that a rally car based on this hot hatch will reintroduce the Corolla name to rallying in 2026. However, rather than competing in the WRC, the Corolla rally car will take part in the American Rally Association (ARA) championship.
Earlier this year, Toyota unveiled a GR Corolla rally car concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon and confirmed on Friday that a fully-developed version will participate in the ARA season. Officially named the GR Corolla RC2, it will race in the RC2 class, which Toyota states is "roughly equivalent" to the Rally2 class seen in international rallying. It will maintain the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine found in the GR Corolla road version, though other technical specifics were scarce in the release.
Toyota intends to field a single car beginning with the second round of the 2026 season, specifically the 1000 Acre Wood Rally in Missouri. American Seth Quintero will pilot the car while simultaneously participating in a Toyota-supported effort in the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC). His co-driver will be Finnish Topi Luthtinen.
The Corolla boasts a rich rallying history, starting with Hannu Mikkola's 1975 win at the 1000 Lakes Rally to clinching the WRC manufacturer’s championship in 1999. Toyota exited rallying after that but made a return in the late 2010s with the Yaris, which has become a dominant player in the series. The Corolla's return to the ARA is aimed at "developing cars on North American roads and enhancing motorsports-bred cars," as stated by the automaker. This aligns with the goals of motorsports-enthusiast chairman Akio Toyoda to produce more vehicles for driving fans.
The GR Corolla RC2 will also serve as a treat for American rally enthusiasts. It could spark a rivalry between Toyota and Subaru, which has been the only consistent manufacturer in the ARA championship through its partner Vermont Sports Car for some time. It will be exciting to witness a revival of the 1990s WRC rivalry between the Corolla and WRX unfold in rural America.
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