- 2,465
- Retired to a padded cell
- GTP_Padded_Cell
Er.........the TS020 was named the Toyota "GT-one" because it was built and developed for the GT1 series.
Because Toyota and Mercedes used loopholes in the regulations they dominated the competition, and alot of smaller manufacturers like Lister went to the GT2 category.
The FIA had to have a re-think as the GT1 category was supposed to be the big one, but because manufacturers weren't exactly playing fair i.e. building racecars for the road instead of roadcars to go racing, they shot themselves in the foot and had then to modify their cars for the new classes the FIA created.
The "1994 BPR Global GT Series" was effectively the GT1-GT4 series, this heralded the McLaren F1 being used as a racecar, the FIA moved to change this to the GT1 series as it was so popular, but then the manufacturers started building these "loophole" cars and the series died before it even had a chance to establish itself.
The problem is as much the series if not moreso than the car - what was seen as the "GT1" series changed name/ regulations alot during the 90's, alot more than recent years. Effectively what was GT2 then is what GT1 eventually turned out to be some years later - the cars being roadcars sold to the public and not specials built for the track only (and using loopholes to qualify for the series). The "specials" went on to become LMP style classes, like the Bentley. Meaning there was now a clear difference between road car and non roadcar i.e. prototype.
Either way - the Toyota IS a GT1 car because at the time this is what the GT1 regulations were (aswell as being seriously flawed), although it has the higher specs in GT5 from when Toyota modified it for the new classes, as it couldn't be raced in any GT classes any more as the loopholes they abused meant it would never meet the new regulations.
There's difference of opinion re the issue with the car, some say it's because no road versions were built - but this is subjective because like the Nissan R390 -none were 'sold' to the public, unlike the later Porsche and Merc GT1 cars (Greg Norman took one of the Mercs, dunno where he put his golf clubs though). Wiki says Toyota took the fuel tank out and used that space for the regulation suitcase area (which cars to be used in the GT1 series had to have) in order to get through the tech inspection - the FIA didn't specify a car having to have a fuel tank as the car was stationary during inspection and didn't have to drive there, so Toyota took it out and used the space to fit the "suitcase".
Either way, whatever loophole or whether a road car was built or not - doesn't matter, the TS020 was built for the GT1 series and regulations of that time. What is became after is irrelevant - that's like saying a roadcar turned racecar was never a roadcar.
Google Toyota TS020 loophole or wiki Toyota TS020 and see - it was born a GT1 and will always be remembered as THE GT1 car, as many manufacturers used loopholes but no one went as far as Toyota and no one even got close to being as quick on track either.
Epitome of a "cheat car" - but also, with all it's controversy, speed on track and 'those' looks, quite superb and very alluring too.
I love it
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/521/Toyota-GT-One-TS020.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_TS020
What day and what time.
