A Toyota spokesman has recently revealed in a Japanese journal, that the CEO of the world’s biggest automobile manufacturer, Akio Toyoda will drive a Toyota vehicle at the Nürburgring 24-hour race which is about to take place in late May.

However, this is far from being the first time that the Toyota CEO races on the infamous Nordschleife track. Akio Toyoda had participated in the world-class event twice in the past, back in the 2007 as well as 2009. Nevertheless, this time it is bigger news as there is a huge difference between then and the current time, as back in 2009 Toyoda was only the vice-president of the world’s no. 1 auto manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation, while now he is the all important CEO.

Akio Toyoda is well-known for his passion and attraction towards motor sports, and this time around he will participate in the world class motor race in a team of four motorists, driving a Toyota car at the Nürburgring circuit. The racing event will take place between 19th and 20th May 2013. However, being the big boss of the biggest auto maker in the world, it is only apparent that his participation this time will not be singularly to quench his thirst of motor sport adventure. Since the Toyota CEO came into position in June 2009, Toyoda is definitely focusing more on the company’s benefits rather than his own entertainment.

As the Toyota spokesman revealed that it is not only a private activity but is also a part of the company’s effort to manufacture good cars based on the company’s judgment on the performance of Toyota’s production under such severe racing conditions that are offered by the hostile Nürburgring tracks.
However, as the company spokesperson reveals that the participation of its CEO in the dangerous motor race is definitely a public relation stunt in order to benefit the company’s production strategy, it cannot be denied that Toyoda genuinely possesses the passion to participate in car racing.

Back in the year 2009, Toyoda’s team had finished this world class race in the 87th place, in which around 170 cars had participated from around the world. In the car racing event of the year 2009, Toyoda drove a wild Lexus LF-A supercar. However, four years later, in the current year, the Toyota CEO may choose to take place in the racing event driving something that is a bit more sober. We know it will be a car from his company that he will be driving down the dreaded Nürburgring tracks, however the spokesperson from Toyota did not reveal as to which model Toyoda will be actually driving.  As far as the reputation of the Toyota cars goes, a Toyota GT-86 should serve the purpose of racing down the hostile tracks and testing the cars capabilities, as Toyoda wishes to. We can just hope that the CEO gets a better ranking in the race this time.

Tagged: Akio Toyoda, Nürburgring 24-hour race