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Denso SARD Supra HV-R takes the pole at Tokachi 24

Alex Nunez — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:07:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Performance, Green, Supercars, Toyota

The Denso SARD Supra HV-R, a former Super GT racer modified to run with a hybrid powertrain, has taken the pole position for today's 2007 Tokachi 24-hour endurance race, which will be well underway by the time you read this. Toyota Team SARD competed with a hybrid in the event last year, a Lexus GS450h that finished 4th in class and 17th overall. The Supra HV-R is a different breed of cat entirely, however, and assuming it doesn't experience any mechanical problems or on-track mishaps, it looks to have a shot at the overall win. A lot can happen in a 24-hour race, however, so we'll just have to peek in during the day to see how things are progressing. With a 480-horsepower V8 augmented by in-wheel electric motors up front and a single electric motor in back, this ain't no grocery-getting Prius. This mean-looking thing's for real, and is the kind of hybrid even the most ardent speed freaks can get into.

UPDATE: After 12 hours of racing, the Supra is in first place overall. As of hour 12, the track is wet and it's raining at Tokachi.

UPDATE 2: After 20 hours of racing, the hybrid Supra remains in the lead, having completed 507 laps. The second place car has completed 492.

UPDATE 3: With 2 hours to go, the Supra HV-R has expanded its lead. it is now 17 laps up on the second- and third-place cars.

[Source: SARD]

Denso SARD Supra HV-R takes the pole at Tokachi 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus hybrid shows well in first endurance race

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus

Autoblog readers will recall that we reported on Lexus' plans to enter a modified GS450h hybrid in a 24-hour endurance race last month. Well, the race has been run, the results are in, and the big Denso-sponsored Lexus came home a remarkable 4th in class and 17th overall. Making the result even more significant is the fact that the Tokachi 24 hour race marked the first time a hybrid vehicle had entered an FIA-sanctioned circuit race.

Lexus team SARD ran a conservative race, their first competition outing with the new car, steadily moving up the overall classification from 30th at the six hour mark to 17th after 18 hours.

Despite being stripped and lightened for racing, the big sedan still passed over the scales nearly 300 lb over the allowed minimum weight for its class - a huge disadvantage that probably contributed to a mid-race pit stop to change brake rotors. The hybrid powertrain necessitated some unusual pit stop procedures - the crew had to regularly replenish the dry ice cooling system for the trunk-mounted batteries.

With the FIA already looking at regenerative braking and alternative powertrains for its flagship Formula 1 series, don't be surprised to see more hybrid cars in international motorsports in the next few years.

More pics after the jump.

[Source: Lexus team SARD]

Continue reading Lexus hybrid shows well in first endurance race

Lexus hybrid shows well in first endurance race originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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