Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation recently joined forces to host the inaugural ‘Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival’ at Yongin Speedway in Korea. The event showcased Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s high-performance production and racing vehicles, underscoring their commitment to strengthening motorsport culture in South Korea and enhancing customer engagement. Both brands, known for competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC), presented an exciting array of activities and vehicle displays for an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd.
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda participated in the festivities, with Chung joining Toyoda on the track in a Yaris WRC. The two executives delivered an impressive performance, including Morizo’s signature maneuvers, to cheers from the audience. Afterward, they took the stage together, thanking fans and sharing their enthusiasm. Hyundai N further thrilled attendees with show runs featuring the i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid, two i20 N Rally 2 models, and their high-performance N lineup, including the IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N.
Top drivers from both brands took part in the show runs. Hyundai N featured WRC drivers like Thierry Neuville, the current WRC drivers’ championship leader, along with Dani Sordo, Andreas Mikkelsen, and 2022 World Touring Car Cup champion Mikel Azcona. Toyota’s display included the GR YARIS Rally 1 HYBRID, GR Yaris Rally 2, GR Supra, and GR86, driven by Toyota WRC driver Takamoto Katsuta, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, and Takamoto’s father, Norihiko Katsuta, a nine-time Japanese Rally champion.
The festival offered a range of immersive experiences for customers. A track day allowed 30 Hyundai N and 30 TOYOTA GR vehicle owners to drive on the professional-grade Yongin Speedway circuit, letting them experience the high-performance capabilities of their cars firsthand. Other popular activities included the ‘WRC Taxi’ rides in full WRC racing cars and the ‘WRC Circuit Taxi,’ where Morizo and other top drivers gave attendees an adrenaline-packed tour around the track.
A highlight was the ‘Gymkhana Competition,’ where Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing drivers teamed up with fans for races featuring Hyundai’s Avante N and Toyota’s GR86. In the ‘Show & Shine’ area, owners displayed their customized vehicles, celebrating the thriving tuning culture.
The event concluded with a ‘Parade Lap’ featuring 66 Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing vehicles driven by customers, led by Chung and Toyoda. Both companies showcased future high-performance models at their booths, with Hyundai displaying its innovative RN24 test vehicle, the N Vision 74 hydrogen fuel cell hybrid, the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec, and fan-favorite Elantra N. Toyota’s booth featured models like the ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept and the AE86 H2, a hydrogen internal combustion engine concept, along with high-performance GR Supra and GR86 concept cars.
Additional attractions included a ‘WRC Game Zone’ with racing simulators and a ‘Racing Car Service Park,’ where visitors could observe real-time service preparations for competition vehicles.
All proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA) to foster domestic car culture and motorsport. This festival is one of many initiatives by Hyundai Motor to build motorsport culture in Korea, adding to a legacy that includes the ‘Hyundai Click Speed Festival,’ the ‘Korea Speed Festival,’ and the ongoing ‘Hyundai N Festival.’
Looking to the future, Hyundai World Rally Team and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will meet again at the FORUM8 Rally Japan, the final FIA World Rally Championship 2024 round, in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, Japan, from November 21 to 24.
