Toyota’s latest hot hatch, the GR Corolla, is not only a thrilling ride for the road but also a star attraction at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. The GR Corolla, which features a turbocharged, three-cylinder engine with 300 hp and an all-wheel drive system, is the official pace car for the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) National Championships and will be on display at the NASA booth at the PRI Show from December 7 to 9.
What is the PRI Show?
The PRI Show is the world’s premier auto racing trade show, where over 1,100 exhibiting companies showcase their latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, trailers, and more. The show is open to PRI members who work in the motorsports industry and attracts thousands of racing professionals from 72 countries. The show also features live demonstrations, networking and educational sessions, and exclusive events for attendees.
What is the NASA National Championships?
The NASA National Championships is the organization’s marquee event, where NASA race drivers from 14 regions across the United States compete for the top prize in 25 classes. The championships take place at different tracks each year, and this year’s venue is the Pittsburgh International Race Complex (Pitt Race) in Wampum, Pennsylvania. The championships run from September 7 to 10, and the GR Corolla will pace all races, including Sunday’s winner-take-all finals.
Why is the GR Corolla the pace car?
The GR Corolla is the pace car for the NASA National Championships because of its impressive performance and design, which are inspired by Toyota’s rally heritage and motorsport division, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. The GR Corolla features a 1.6-liter engine that delivers 300 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, with an intelligent manual transmission (iMT) and a GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system that allows drivers to adjust the power distribution to the front and rear wheels. The GR Corolla also has four drive modes, ECO, Normal, Sport, or Custom, to suit different driving situations.
The GR Corolla pace car has a special livery in red, white, and black, which is reminiscent of Toyota’s motorsport and endurance racing liveries. The pace car also has a MORIZO Edition badge, which is a tribute to Toyota’s president and CEO, Akio Toyoda, who uses the nickname MORIZO when he participates in motorsport events.
What is the benefit for GR Corolla owners?
As part of a program created by Toyota and NASA, every customer who buys a new 2024 Toyota GR Corolla receives a complimentary one-year NASA membership and one complimentary track day at a NASA High Performance Driving Event. This program started in 2019 as a way to give GR Supra owners a performance driving experience under the tutelage of expert instructors and has expanded to include all GR sports cars, such as the GR86 and the GR Corolla.
The program is designed to introduce sports car owners to the world of performance driving in a safe and responsible manner, and to connect them with the racing community. NASA CEO Jeremy Croiset said, “Together, we’ve created an amazing way to introduce sports car owners to the world of performance driving in a safe and responsible manner. And it just made sense to have the GR Corolla Pace Car in the NASA booth at PRI this year for everyone in the industry to check out.”
How can you see the GR Corolla pace car?
If you are a PRI member who works in the motorsports industry, you can register to attend the PRI Show and see the GR Corolla pace car at the NASA booth from December 7 to 9. You can also download the PRI app to get the latest updates and information about the show. If you are not a PRI member, you can still become one by registering and paying a fee of $50.
Alternatively, you can watch the NASA National Championships online at www.DriveNASA.com from September 7 to 10 and see the GR Corolla pace car in action as it leads the pack of racers. You can also follow Toyota and NASA on social media for more news and updates about the GR Corolla pace car and the racing events.
Conclusion
The GR Corolla pace car is a testament to Toyota’s passion for motorsports and innovation and a way to support racing enthusiasts and the motorsports industry. The GR Corolla pace car is making waves at the PRI Show and the NASA National Championships, and it is also a thrilling ride on the road. If you are interested in the GR Corolla, you can check out the official Toyota website for more details and availability.
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