Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand Sweeps Two Classes at RAAT Endurance 2026
Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand won the TC2 class at the RAAT Endurance Championship's Round 2 8-hour race in Buriram, with one Toyota Corolla completing 229 laps for first place overall in the category.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand, a major racing team with 40 years of continuous success in Thai motorsports, backed by Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd., delivered a strong performance at Round 2 of the RAAT Thailand Endurance Championship 2026. The team fielded a full roster of drivers to test their mettle in the grueling 8-hour endurance race, showcasing both machine and driver prowess. The standout result: first place overall in the TC2 class at Chang International Circuit in Buriram province, demonstrating the team's continued durability and performance throughout the competition.
The 8-hour challenge tested the limits of car performance, driver skill, and team strategy. Every team member rose to the occasion, adapting tactics as conditions evolved throughout the race. Competition was fierce and unpredictable, but all TOYOTA GAZOO Racing drivers performed superbly, finishing strong and delivering an impressive display of endurance racing.
In the TC2 class, the team entered two Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport vehicles. Car number 19, driven by Suttipong Smitchart, Natthawut Charoensukkha-Watthana, Nathapong Hottongkham, and Manat Kulapanon, captured back-to-back victories and claimed first place in both class and overall, completing 229 laps. Car number 20, piloted by Kran Suppong, Akkrapong Akkaninirodom, Nadol Watthanathum, and Kritsdi Vasurath, finished fourth in class and 19th overall with 184 laps.
In the TC3 class, the team fielded Toyota Yaris ATIV number 29 with drivers Naratsami Abhivat, Aitan Attadathorn, and Shiba Kentaro taking turns at the wheel. They secured second place in class and sixth overall, covering 217 laps. In the TC N+ category, Toyota Yaris ATIV HEV number 39 was driven by Mario-Sittichae Gangnimit and Songsak Kornsirisuksant in a hybrid-powered effort, finishing fourth in class and 16th overall with 185 laps.
After the race, team director and driver Suttipong Smitchart said, "The 8-hour endurance race is a true test of the car, the drivers, and the team. Everyone performed at their best, and we continuously adapted our strategy to match changing circumstances throughout the competition. This result reflects the strength of our team, and we will take every lesson learned from the track to develop our cars further, following the MAKING EVER-BETTER MOTORSPORTS-BRED CARS concept. Toyota GAZOO Racing develops from the racetrack to create better cars. We thank everyone for their support."
Motorsports fans can continue following TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand's progress on Facebook and Instagram (TOYOTAGAZOORacingTeamThailand). The team's next program is the Asia Cross Country Rally 2026 (AXCR2026), running 2,000 kilometers from Pattaya to Phitsanulok, scheduled for August 9–15, 2026.
