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Developing a world-class supercar like the Lexus LFA from a clean sheet of paper is no easy task, and turning that supercar (or supercar prototype) into a competitive endurance racer is an order of magnitude more difficult.
Taking that race car to compete with long-dominant German automakers, in their own backyard, almost borders on insanity. Japan’s Gazoo Racing has been working with Toyota's luxury brand since 2008 to develop an SP8 class endurance racer based on the Lexus LFA, capable of winning the gruelling Nürburgring 24 hour race.
The last time a non-German car took home a win was 2002, when a Dodge Viper GTS-R took the overall win for the second year in a row. While early LFA endurance racers were less-than-competitive and plagued with mechanical difficulties, Gazoo Racing managed an SP8 class victory and a 15th place overall finish in 2012.
That’s even more remarkable when you consider that the team finished 41st overall in 2011, just one year earlier. To mark five years of blood, sweat and tears at the Nürburgring, Gazoo Racing has posted a video of highlights from 2008 through 2012. While we’re sure there are moments the team would like to forget, the trophies from the 2012 race clearly show that hard work and dedication produce results.
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