Toyota Gazoo Racing outlines future plans for motorsport development in SA
Toyota South Africa is looking to strengthen its motorsport development programme, creating a pathway for local drivers to progress from circuit racing to rallying and potentially the Dakar Rally. Speaking to GR Podcast host Mark Jones, Toyota SA vice president of marketing Glenn Crompton explained how the manufacturer wants to develop future South African racing talent. Crompton discussed the growth of the Toyota Cup, the future of its rallying programme and the importance of making motorsport more accessible.
From circuit racing to rallying
The Toyota Cup began in 2022 with six cars, giving motoring journalists an opportunity to race standard production vehicles in competitive conditions. The series expanded in 2023 when Toyota introduced the 86 category, giving young karting drivers another opportunity to develop their racing careers. By 2026, the championship had grown to more than 30 cars across the Toyota Cup media category and the 86 category. Crompton said the series had become more than a marketing exercise. It demonstrates that Toyota vehicles are competitive while giving aspiring drivers an opportunity to develop their skills. Toyota also introduced a karting academy for children aged between five and eight. However, Crompton said the manufacturer needed to create further opportunities beyond circuit racing. The challenge is finding a practical route for young drivers to progress towards international competition without facing enormous costs.
Building an affordable rally pathway
Toyota has been developing a rallying programme aimed at bridging the gap between circuit racing and off-road competition. Crompton explained that rallying requires substantial vehicle modifications to improve safety and reliability. The manufacturer wants to balance these requirements with affordability. He said the programme's development work had largely delivered the intended results. Toyota is evaluating the costs before deciding how to expand the initiative. During the interview, Crompton also offered Jones the opportunity to continue driving in the rally programme in 2027, recognising his efforts in developing the car. Jones accepted the offer. The longer-term vision is to create a pathway from karting and circuit racing into rallying and off-road competition. This could potentially give South African drivers an opportunity to compete at Dakar.
A unified Toyota at Dakar
Crompton also discussed Toyota's international rally-raid operations and the prospect of presenting a more unified team from 2027. He said clearer branding and communication would help fans identify with Toyota's global effort, regardless of where individual teams are based. Ultimately, Crompton believes developing future talent is essential to sustaining motorsport's growth in South Africa and producing drivers capable of competing on the world stage.
