Not nesseciarly the fastest or the most prolific but Toyota's entries during the halcyon 1990s era surely examplifies the essence of Touring Cars.
-New for 1991 the Carina II driven by Andy Rouse managed a creditable 3rd overall.
-1992 saw reigning champ Will Hoy join the team, the odd drive later in the season for Juian Bailey and domination of the first half of the season. Hoy and Rouse took each other off at Brands, not the last time Toyota drivers would trip over one another.
Consistant finishes from Cleland and a late charge from from the BMWs set-up the infamus 3-way tussle at the final round (Silverstone) that ended with the Cleland/Soper "off".
-1993 meant the new Carina E and Julian Bailey inplace of Rouse. Toyota TOMS GB took over preperation after Rouse engineering went over to Ford's new Mondeo. A win for Bailey at Knockhill and strong peformances underlined a solid season.
- Also probably the most famous BTCC picture when Bailey punted team-mate Hoy onto his roof while leading the field at the GP support race at Silverstone
1994 - Enter Team Toyota Europe, Castrol livery, Tim Sudgen at selected events and all new, LHD cars. They looked awesome but were plainly awful as they spent the whole time at the back of the pack fending off privateers.
1995 - New rules meant aero packages for all teams. Hoy left for Renault, replaced by Sugden full time. Toyota TOMS GB took over prepeation, nodoubt on a liited budget. A better season than '94 but they didn't trouble the front runners at all IIRC.
That would be the final season of the full factory efforts but for 1996 a single Carina E contested the TOCA privateers championship, entered as a joint effort between TOMS and Brookes Motorsport and driven by Lee Brookes. They would win the privateers champioship that season.
Private run Carina IIs and Es ran alongside the factory cars with James Kye winning the '92 and '94 TOCA cups;
For me personally the 92-94, pre-aero days were the best. The cars all ran factory body aggenda and the racing was that little bit more frentic - the later aero cars enjoyed much horter stopping distances which limited the demon outbraking manuvoures. TBH I bet most people have forgotten abut the Carinas but I loved 'em.
-New for 1991 the Carina II driven by Andy Rouse managed a creditable 3rd overall.
-1992 saw reigning champ Will Hoy join the team, the odd drive later in the season for Juian Bailey and domination of the first half of the season. Hoy and Rouse took each other off at Brands, not the last time Toyota drivers would trip over one another.
Consistant finishes from Cleland and a late charge from from the BMWs set-up the infamus 3-way tussle at the final round (Silverstone) that ended with the Cleland/Soper "off".
-1993 meant the new Carina E and Julian Bailey inplace of Rouse. Toyota TOMS GB took over preperation after Rouse engineering went over to Ford's new Mondeo. A win for Bailey at Knockhill and strong peformances underlined a solid season.
- Also probably the most famous BTCC picture when Bailey punted team-mate Hoy onto his roof while leading the field at the GP support race at Silverstone
1994 - Enter Team Toyota Europe, Castrol livery, Tim Sudgen at selected events and all new, LHD cars. They looked awesome but were plainly awful as they spent the whole time at the back of the pack fending off privateers.
1995 - New rules meant aero packages for all teams. Hoy left for Renault, replaced by Sugden full time. Toyota TOMS GB took over prepeation, nodoubt on a liited budget. A better season than '94 but they didn't trouble the front runners at all IIRC.
That would be the final season of the full factory efforts but for 1996 a single Carina E contested the TOCA privateers championship, entered as a joint effort between TOMS and Brookes Motorsport and driven by Lee Brookes. They would win the privateers champioship that season.
Private run Carina IIs and Es ran alongside the factory cars with James Kye winning the '92 and '94 TOCA cups;
For me personally the 92-94, pre-aero days were the best. The cars all ran factory body aggenda and the racing was that little bit more frentic - the later aero cars enjoyed much horter stopping distances which limited the demon outbraking manuvoures. TBH I bet most people have forgotten abut the Carinas but I loved 'em.
