Plans to compete in the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps on May 5th as a practice run have been shelved after an accident damaged the team’s only running chassis during testing earlier this month at the Paul Ricard circuit in France. According to Toyota the damage to the chassis is too significant to repair and, ” A replacement monocoque cannot be produced and sufficiently tested to ensure reliability within the limited time available.”
“We are deeply saddened to announce this decision and our sympathies are with the drivers, team members and fans who have been anticipating the Spa race so eagerly,” said Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Toyota Racing Team President. ” Since the accident we have looked into all options but unfortunately there is no alternative course of action open to us.”
As a result Toyota has informed the FIA World Endurance Championship it will pull out of the race at Spa, instead making its competition debut June 16th at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
