TOYOTA Australia has signed up as lead sponsor for Rally Australia in November, the final round in this year’s international World Rally Championship.

It makes Toyota the exclusive provider of official vehicles for the 13th round of this year’s championship to be based around Coffs Harbour from November 16-19.

The event, which marks Toyota’s return to the sport in this country, will host the brand’s Yaris World Rally Championship (WRC) contender and its international Toyota Gazoo Racing team in Australia for the first time.

Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the company is keen to support Rally Australia and international and local Toyota teams.

“Toyota’s commitment to rallying comes from the very top with our global president Akio Toyoda firmly believing that overcoming the extreme challenges of motorsport is vital in our quest to build ever-better cars,” Mr Cramb said.

“There is a strong bond between Toyota and rallying going back to the 1970s with four WRC drivers’ and three WRC manufacturers’ titles at the global level.

“We are also proud of our relationship with four-time Australian rally champions Neal Bates and Coral Taylor – a 25-year relationship during which time Toyota has also won two local manufacturers’ titles.

“We expect to see the Bates clan – including Neal’s sons Harry and Lewis – competing at their usual high standard during this year’s event.”

Rally Australia chairman Ben Rainsford said “it’s wonderful to welcome a partner with its own great rally history. Toyota’s name is synonymous with the sport, especially here in Australia.”

The November event, to be called the Kennards Hire Rally Australia, will mark the completion of the first year of Toyota’s return to WRC after a 17-year break.

By Neil Dowling