As part of its partnership with the National Auto Sport Association (NASA), Toyota turned a GR Corolla into a pace car for the 2023 Championship finals at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex earlier this year. This weekend, you’ll be able to see it again at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show. The car in question isn’t just any GR Corolla, it’s a MORIZO Edition model, which means that it’s one of just 200 built for the U.S. market in 2023. Its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine makes 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque — up from the standard 370 Nm. It also weighs around 45 kg less than the standard car, thanks to measures like the removal of the rear seats.
In addition, the pace car was given
special lights mounted to its carbon fiber roof, to help racecars see it on
track. NASA also allowed Toyota to give it a red, white, and black livery that
was inspired by the automaker’s endurance racers. Following its turn as the
pacer for more than 350 race cars at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex
in September, the car will now represent NASA at one of the world’s biggest
motorsport industry trade shows, from December 7-9.
On top of supporting the association
through pacing duties, Toyota is also working with it to get more drivers
involved in grassroots racing. When enthusiasts buy a GR Corolla, GR Supra, or
GR86, they also get a complimentary one-year NASA membership, and one free
track day.
