Twenty-four-hour test run for the hydrogen-powered engine vehicle

Toyota's Hydrogen-Powered Corolla Completes 24-Hour Endurance Race

In a historic moment for the automotive industry, Toyota's hydrogen-powered Corolla successfully completed a 24-hour endurance race at Fuji Speedway on May 23, 2021. The race, which entered its final stages with four hours remaining, saw the Corolla pass the checkered flag alongside the #28 GR Supra at 3:00 p.m.

The team faced numerous challenges throughout the race, with issues such as increased engine pressure, electrical system problems, and transmission concerns cropping up during the competition. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, was behind the wheel for a portion of the race and experienced a hydrogen leak issue.

Kamui Kobayashi, a veteran driver, started the race in the driver's seat. Midway through, Iguchi took over, trading places with Morizo after an hour on the track. Ishiura later took over from Matsui with one and a half hours remaining, only to make an emergency pit stop due to a missing nut on the right rear absorber, causing steering irregularities. Morizo returned for the final leg with 30 minutes remaining.

Repairs and refueling breaks took up about 12 hours of the 24-hour race. The first hydrogen refueling of the car took approximately seven minutes. Despite these setbacks, the team's distance broke the 1,500km mark with just under two hours to go. In total, the car completed 358 laps around Fuji Speedway, a distance of 1,634km.

Kamui commented on the car's performance during refueling, expressing satisfaction with its handling and speed. Morizo also expressed satisfaction with completing the race despite facing problems, stating that the race was a valuable asset towards achieving carbon neutrality. Akio Toyoda echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude to the team and promising to continue taking action towards a carbon-neutral future.

In a remarkable display of teamwork, the mechanics borrowed a part from a team member's GR Yaris to replace the missing one. However, the mechanic who removed the part of the hydrogen extractor from the GR Yaris to install it in the hydrogen tank of the Corolla was not publicly named.

The team spent about one-third of the race dealing with problems related to the hydrogen-powered engine. Despite these challenges, the hydrogen-powered Corolla proved that it is a viable option for endurance racing, setting a precedent for the future of sustainable racing. Akio Toyoda's promise to continue working towards a carbon-neutral future is a testament to Toyota's commitment to a greener future for the automotive industry.