The Toyota GR Corolla, a favorite among performance-oriented driving enthusiasts, has once again taken up the prestigious role of the official pace car for the NASA National Championships. This dynamic vehicle has garnered a devoted following throughout the United States due to its rally-inspired origins, a robust 300-horsepower turbocharged engine, and the prowess of All Wheel Drive. Its striking aggressive design perfectly embodies the spirit of a Toyota hot hatch, capturing the hearts of numerous brand enthusiasts. Last year, the GR Corolla made its debut as the lead car at the historic Laguna Seca, where it led the 2022 NASA National Championships. This year, the GR Corolla is set to continue its role as the pace car for the 2023 championships.
Draped in eye-catching red, white, and black graphics reminiscent of beloved Toyota motorsports and endurance racing liveries, the GR Corolla MORIZO Edition will lead the pack at the 2023 National Championships held at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex (Pitt Race) in Wampum, Pennsylvania, from September 7th to 10th, 2023. The NASA National Championships, a highlight event for the organization, sees skilled NASA race drivers from 14 regions across the nation vie for top honors, culminating in the winner-takes-all NASA championship finals on Sunday.
Mike Tripp, the Vice President of Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communications, expressed Toyota's enthusiasm for motorsports and their privilege in supporting racing enthusiasts as they pace all NASA Championship races. He further emphasized Toyota's commitment by stating that, for three consecutive years, they've designated a TOYOTA GAZOO Racing model as the pace car, and they're excited to continue contributing to the quest for future NASA champions.
During the Pitt Race, the GR Corolla will once again lead over 350 contenders competing across 25 classes. The Pitt Race's renowned 2.78-mile, 19-turn natural-terrain road course is set to offer intense competition in every class, thanks to its intricate layout, elevation changes, and picturesque surroundings.
The pace car role serves as one of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's methods of engaging with the enthusiast community. Through an ongoing collaboration between Toyota and NASA, purchasers of a new GR Corolla will receive a complimentary one-year NASA membership along with a free track day at a NASA High Performance Driving Event. This initiative, initiated in 2019 to provide GR Supra owners with performance driving experiences guided by expert instructors, has expanded to encompass all GR sports cars, welcoming the GR86 and GR Corolla into the fold alongside their GR Supra counterpart.
Jeremy Croiset, NASA's Chief Executive Officer, applauded the fruitful partnership between TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and the NASA Owner Benefit Program, which introduces sports car owners to responsible performance driving experiences. Croiset expressed anticipation for the competition at the Pitt Race and encouraged fans to witness the thrilling amateur racing action on DriveNASA.com, showcasing some of the nation's finest talents.
The 2023 GR Corolla boasts a potent turbocharged three-cylinder engine generating an impressive 300 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The special MORIZO Edition amplifies the torque to 295 lb.-ft. This remarkable 1.6-liter engine pairs with Toyota's GR-Four AWD system, derived from rally expertise, affording drivers the flexibility of 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70 power distribution between front and rear wheels. Four distinct drive modes, including ECO, Normal, Sport, and Custom, cater to various driving scenarios.
Exclusively equipped with an intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT), the 2023 GR Corolla is offered in three versions: GR Corolla Core, Circuit Edition, and the aggressively styled GR Corolla MORIZO Edition. The latter benefits from enhancements by GR engineers, including an exclusive close-ratio iMT with shorter gearing, enhanced chassis rigidity, and nearly 20 lb.-ft. more torque (295 lb.-ft.). Additionally, the GR Corolla MORIZO Edition sheds nearly 100 pounds compared to the GR Corolla Circuit Edition by removing the rear seat and other components, resulting in heightened agility for this already agile hot hatch.
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