Toyota Reveals LMP1 Engine Supply for Rebellion Racing

Toyota confirmed its return in the sportscar racing world earlier this week, announcing it will become engine supplier for Rebellion Racing in the LMP1 class of the Le Mans Series. Starting from the 2011, Toyota Motorsport and Rebellion Racing will become official partners, a commitment which will see the latter field two LMP1 prototypes powered by Japanese units.

The announcement is not that surprising however, as it was previewed by a test conducted by the team with an interim Lola-Toyota on the Snetterton race track in the UK, back in early October. Later the same month, the engineers from the two organizations (Toyota and Rebellion) conducted a further evaluation test programme at Portimao, Portugal and Monteblanco, Spain.

“Rebellion Racing and Toyota Motorsport GmbH are pleased to confirm their plans for a Le Mans Prototype LMP1 engine supply partnership,” said a Toyota statement.

“Toyota Motorsport has recent experience of engine supply partnerships from our Formula 1 days so we are drawing on that to deliver a reliable and competitive engine,” said Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Toyota Motorsport President.

“We are looking forward to working with Rebellion Racing on this exciting project and it was very pleasing to see this engine running in a car for the first time, particularly because the performance, as well as the reliability, was very encouraging.”

“We are delighted to become a partner of Toyota Motorsport and are excited about working alongside a company with a Formula 1 background and a rich history at Le Mans. We look forward to establishing a strong and long term relationship with them,” added Bart Hayden, Rebellion Racing Team Manager.