In addition to being one of the biggest car manufacturers on the planet, Toyota has a well-earned reputation for reliability and engineering excellence. They're constantly developing and testing new features, components, and vehicles with the aim of delivering a better product to their customers.

Recently engineers from Toyota's Arizona Proving Grounds rolled out a specially prepared Toyota 86 to conquer the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race. With famed driver Randy Pobst, and a platoon of others, behind the wheel, the team set out to conquer the grueling endurance race.

The Race

This isn't the first time that Toyota attempted the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. They tried last year and unfortunately were DNF. According to D.J. Quint, Senior Performance Engineer at Toyota's Arizona Proving Grounds, "...we've gained a lot of experience and learned a lot of lessons since then, and we plan to apply that to this year's competition."

The Car, The Engineering

The Toyota 86 came out of a jointly developed project between Toyota and Subaru who runs the sister car of the 86, the BRZ. The race car you see here, aside from safety equipment and aero, doesn't deviate much from the street car. While a win is of course desired the point of endurance racing is to fine tune, tweak, and test the product for durability and reliability on the road.

The Team, The Results

After 25 hours you can imagine the punishment and abuse inflicted on not only the body of the car but the engine, brakes, and suspension components as well. The 86 sustained front end and wheel damage, and after a lengthy stop, got back on the track ceding its position. But unlike the previous year, they finished the race and made a strong showing owing to the teamwork and engineering of Toyota's Arizona crew. Buckle up.

Source: Toyota