TOYOTA made its rally debut with the Celica in 1972 and three years later Hannu Mikkola clinched a first win with victory at the 1000 Lakes Rally in a Corolla. Juha Kankunnen also had some success but Carlos Sainz (pictured) was the real catalyst, winning the World Rally Championship drivers' title in the Celica GT-Four in 1990. He added TOYOTA's second title two years later in the Celica Turbo 4WD. <br />
TOYOTA made its rally debut with the Celica in 1972 and three years later Hannu Mikkola clinched a first win with victory at the 1000 Lakes Rally in a Corolla. Juha Kankunnen also had some success but Carlos Sainz (pictured) was the real catalyst, winning the World Rally Championship drivers' title in the Celica GT-Four in 1990. He added TOYOTA's second title two years later in the Celica Turbo 4WD.
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With Sainz'(pictured), the TOYOTA team was on the up and it also came within just one win of claiming the 1990 manufacturers' title, finishing runners-up behind the dominant Lancia outfit.
1990 —
With Sainz'(pictured), the TOYOTA team was on the up and it also came within just one win of claiming the 1990 manufacturers' title, finishing runners-up behind the dominant Lancia outfit.
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Finland's Kankkunen (right) returned to TOYOTA in 1993 and won a fourth drivers' championship, alongside co-driver Nicky Grist.
1993 —
Finland's Kankkunen (right) returned to TOYOTA in 1993 and won a fourth drivers' championship, alongside co-driver Nicky Grist.
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TOYOTA also won its first WRC manufacturers' title that year with a total of seven wins and 17 podium places throughout the season. The team successfully defended its title the following year.
1993 —
TOYOTA also won its first WRC manufacturers' title that year with a total of seven wins and 17 podium places throughout the season. The team successfully defended its title the following year.
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Frenchman Didier Auriol spearheaded success with three wins and six podium places, claiming his first drivers' championship in the TOYOTA Celica Turbo 4WD and second straight manufacturers' title for the team.
1994 —
Frenchman Didier Auriol spearheaded success with three wins and six podium places, claiming his first drivers' championship in the TOYOTA Celica Turbo 4WD and second straight manufacturers' title for the team.
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The WRC enjoyed a popularity boost in 1995 with the release of racing game "Sega Rally Championship." It featured TOYOTA's iconic Celica GT-Four, driven here by Didier Auriol.
1995 —
The WRC enjoyed a popularity boost in 1995 with the release of racing game "Sega Rally Championship." It featured TOYOTA's iconic Celica GT-Four, driven here by Didier Auriol.
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The year started well. The returning Carlos Sainz won the opener at Monte Carlo, driving the TOYOTA Corolla. However, it wasn't to be a golden return for the Spaniard. A mechanical problem in the last race of the season saw TOYOTA hand the title to Mitsubishi.
1998 —
The year started well. The returning Carlos Sainz won the opener at Monte Carlo, driving the TOYOTA Corolla. However, it wasn't to be a golden return for the Spaniard. A mechanical problem in the last race of the season saw TOYOTA hand the title to Mitsubishi.
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TOYOTA closed the decade with its third manufacturers' title as Mitsubishi's Tommi Makinen, now head of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, clinched his fourth straight drivers' championship. The WRC project had been a success but TOYOTA then pulled out of rally to focus on Formula 1.
1999 —
TOYOTA closed the decade with its third manufacturers' title as Mitsubishi's Tommi Makinen, now head of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, clinched his fourth straight drivers' championship. The WRC project had been a success but TOYOTA then pulled out of rally to focus on Formula 1.
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After a 17-year break, TOYOTA rejoined the World Rally Championship. It finished third in the manufacturers' standings with two wins.
2017 —
After a 17-year break, TOYOTA rejoined the World Rally Championship. It finished third in the manufacturers' standings with two wins.
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Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila were on flying form in the TOYOTA Yaris in Rally Finland in July, 2018.
Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila were on flying form in the TOYOTA Yaris in Rally Finland in July, 2018.
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