24 Hours of Nürburgring 2026 77 Laps in the GR YARIS: 24 Hours of Perseverance Through Setbacks

Despite having completed the 2025 race without any need for repairs, the GR YARIS DAT crew recognized that there was still room for further improvement and set out to explore new territory. Reflecting these efforts, Car No. 109, under the leadership of Chief Engineer Hisatomi, received aggressive updates focused on the powertrain, aerodynamics, and a wider track. At the second round of the NLS in March, the car achieved a lap time approximately 10 seconds faster than last year’s specification.
In qualifying, all drivers completed the required laps, finalizing preparations for the race itself.
On the day of the race, Morizo addressed the team during the morning meeting:
“Last year, we returned to the Nürburgring in the GR YARIS as a return to our roots. This year, we’re continuing that momentum to take on this challenge once again. There’s no need to get swept up in the Nürburgring’s signature exhilaration or its unique atmosphere. Don’t get overly nervous; just focus on executing everything we’ve been working on. From the end of last year’s race until today, the entire team has worked together to make the car, make the people, and build our physical and mental strength. The results of these efforts will be put to the test when the race starts at 3pm. If someone is in trouble, speak up. If there’s something you can do to help, do it. If someone helps you, thank them. It is that simple, thorough dedication that creates a true One Team. The weather is looking uncertain this year, so let’s fight through the 24 hours with health and safety as our absolute priorities.”

Things don’t always go as planned at the Nürburgring

As the race began, even as top-tier cars dropped out one after another in the chaos, Car No. 109 completed its laps without incident, aside from a crack in the front windshield. Ishiura chased down faster competitors with a strong performance before handing the wheel over to Morizo. His smooth driving style, inherited from the late Hiromu Naruse, was broadcast to the world via the official camera feed.
Daisuke, who took over next, also delivered steady laps. After handing over the wheel to Oshima, the car encountered issues such as wiper malfunctions, a faulty speed limiter button, and a flat tire, but the team addressed them promptly and made it through the night.
However, as dawn broke around 6am, Oshima reported that “the car is vibrating and feels off,” prompting a pit stop. As time was needed to pinpoint the cause, General Manager Sekiya asked himself, “What would Mr. Naruse do?” and decided on the most reliable course of action: a complete replacement of the engine and driveline. Morizo also encouraged the team with the words, “take your time, be certain, and prioritize safety,” and the team got to work.
Despite working under limited conditions, the team completed the replacement in about three hours and returned to the track approximately seven hours after the issue occurred. Morizo took the wheel for the final stint. Navigating difficult conditions with a mix of dry and wet track sections, he drove hard under Sasaki’s lead, completing eight laps before crossing the finish line.
Though the team ultimately completed 77 laps, they did not meet the race’s finishing criteria, and the official result was recorded as DNC*. This 24-hour race was filled with frustration, far from the satisfying performance of last year. However, it also taught profound lessons on the fundamental importance of taking on the Nürburgring: “keep driving, repairing, and pushing forward.”
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of GR taking on the Nürburgring. The team will continue its journey to make ever-better cars in order to transform this year’s disappointment into confidence.

* Did Not Classify

Post-race comments

●Morizo
This is our second year competing as TGRR. Last year, we were blessed with exceptionally favorable conditions, but this year things didn’t go as planned—and this frustration is what the Nürburgring is all about. Looking back at past races at the Nürburgring, there were years when we suffered engine damage or were unable to drive for over 10 hours. However, the true meaning of taking on the Nürburgring lies in overcoming those setbacks and making a comeback. I’m certain this ordeal will prove valuable someday, and I want to tell Mr. Naruse that the whole team gained valuable experience. During my final stint, I drove with the mindset that my mission was to reliably see the car, which the team had worked tirelessly to repair, through to the finish. By completing eight laps, I also confirmed that I’ve built up the endurance to execute a single stint effectively. I’m now 70 years old, but this isn’t the end. TGRR will continue to take on the Nürburgring with unwavering determination. Seeing things through is also at the root of the Nürburgring.

●Toshiyuki Sekiya: GM
This race was an extremely grueling affair, like the toughest races we’ve experienced in the past. As vehicle performance has improved, new challenges and issues emerged that we hadn’t encountered before. However, some of these issues could have been avoided with proper preparation, so there is still plenty of room for improvement moving forward. During the race, we made the decision to completely replace all driveline parts; this was a judgment call to avoid stopping on the track and prioritize taking immediate action to resolve the situation. I am deeply grateful that, in response to this decision, every member of the team shared the strong, common resolve to get the car running at all costs and took action swiftly and proactively.

●Kei Hisatomi: Lead Engineer
Looking back on this race, I can’t help but think of all the things I could have done better, the issues I should have spotted beforehand, and the areas where I could have pushed even harder. To be honest, I’m so frustrated I could cry. I truly relied on everyone’s support during this race. We had conducted numerous tests beforehand and thought we had accumulated plenty of data, but unexpected issues arose during the actual race, and I truly realized that this is where the Nürburgring’s true terror lies. However, I know I’ll have regrets if I just let things end like this, so I’m determined to make a car that can conquer the Nürburgring and get my revenge someday.