Toyota have reconfirmed their support and investment in the Australian Rally Championship, outlining their commitment for the 2008 season at the Melbourne International Motor Show.  

The Toyota Racing Development team of Neal Bates / Coral Taylor and Simon and Sue Evans will be taking to the forests in two Super 2000 Corollas.
 
Toyota, through their racing arm, TRD, have been a strong supporter of the Australian Rally Championship for many years and are looking forward to continuing that support in the years ahead.
 
“‘We race’ is part of the Toyota DNA - it is the key part of our strategy to build excitement and passion around the Toyota brand,” said General Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, Dave Buttner.
 
“This year we have expanded our activities into the most diverse motorsport program in our history… (and) we’re looking for our third consecutive rally championship with Bates motorsport.”
 
Neal Bates, who along with the rest of the TRD rally team was present at the Toyota exhibition, said he is focused on the upcoming season.
 
“We’re incredibly excited to both be in S2000 cars and to continue the development of the S2000 cars,” Bates said.

“I think it’s going to be a tough year. I think the competition will be very, very strong.
 
“In 2009 we will see a lot of new teams and 2008 is an opportunity for us to build on the last couple of years and move to a level that is good enough for when there’s more manufacturers involved; which I think will be very soon,” he continued.
 
Simon and Sue Evans will be aiming for three straight Championship victories when the season kicks off at the QUIT Forest Rally in WA in April, and can’t wait to get behind the wheel of their brand new S2000 Corolla.
 
“It’s going to be good, the S2000 car is going to be fantastic,” Evans said.  “I had a test before Christmas and fell in love with the car, so I’m really looking forward to getting out and competing in it.
 
“It’s a thoroughbred race car, the suspension is unbelievable and the balance is awesome.  It’s a whole new concept and it’s going to be really exciting for all the fans. 

“You can really back these things into corners, so I think the car will definitely reward aggressive driving, which is good for me,” he laughed.
 

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