70-Year-Old Toyota Chairman Takes the Wheel... Over 60,000 Enthralled by Motorsports at "Super Taikyu"

Extreme Competition at the "Fuji 24-Hour Race"

793 Laps and 3,618 km Covered in 24 Hours


Toyota Tests Hydrogen-Powered "GR Corolla"

Paving the Way for Eco-Friendly Motorsports


Tens of Thousands Gather from Across Japan

Camping Around the Circuit to Experience the Race All Night

On June 6, at Fuji Speedway located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, the laughter of children could be heard amidst the roaring sound of engines on the circuit. Families pushing strollers, spectators in wheelchairs, and fans covered in the merchandise of their favorite teams—all among the tens of thousands gathered from across the country—were enjoying Japan's largest motorsports festival, the "Super Taikyu 2026."

On the 7th, Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, wearing a blue jumper, was hanging on the circuit fence at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, waving to the cars participating in the "Fuji 24-Hour Race." Shizuoka, Japan — Photo by Seungjin Lee

Heart-Pounding Engines... "Super Taikyu 2026"

From June 5 to 7, the Fuji Speedway hosted the "Fuji 24-Hour Race," the third round of Super Taikyu. This endurance race tests the durability of vehicles as they run for 24 hours straight. Super Taikyu is held in a total of seven rounds throughout the year.

The popularity of the event was evident during the "Pit Walk," an experiential spectator event held on the morning of June 6. The Pit Walk allows fans to visit the pit area where cars are serviced during the race. Despite ticket prices reaching as high as 28,000 yen (approximately 250,000 won) per adult, over 200 spectators were lined up an hour before the event began, eager to get a closer look at their favorite teams and drivers.

During the Pit Walk, team autograph sessions were held, and the longest queue formed in front of the Toyota Motor Corporation booth. Fans were hoping to get an autograph from "MORIZO," the master driver of Toyota's "ROOKIE Racing" team participating in this event. "MORIZO" is the alter ego of Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation.

He first participated under the name "MORIZO" in the 24-hour Nürburgring endurance race in Germany in 2007. At the time, as he was considered Toyota's successor, he used a pseudonym out of concern that participating in such a dangerous event might reflect poorly on the company. This tradition has continued to this year, as he turns 70, and the fans lining up for his autograph cheered him on by calling him "MORIZO-san" instead of his real name.

Notably, this year's race also saw Daisuke Toyoda, Vice President of Woven by Toyota and the eldest son of Chairman Akio Toyoda, competing as a team driver, drawing significant attention. Among the hundreds waiting in the autograph line, many were fans of the eldest son. Waving signs emblazoned with "DT," the initials of his name, they shouted, "Drive safely!" to which Vice President Toyoda responded by waving back with both hands.

At 3 p.m. that day, around 60 vehicles lined up on the circuit to begin their 24-hour race. As they all started at once, the thunderous engine roars sent vibrations through the air, thrilling the spectators who responded with loud cheers.

This event was both a stage for fierce competition and a grand festival for everyone. Around the most challenging "U" corner of Fuji Speedway, hundreds of spectators set up tents to secure the best viewing spots. Some fans arrived with camping gear a day before the main race to claim their positions early.

On the 6th, at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Daisuke Toyoda, Vice President of Woven by Toyota (left), and Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, are signing autographs at a signing event. Shizuoka, Japan – Photo by Lee Seungjin

484 Laps in 24 Hours: Liquid Hydrogen-Powered "GR Corolla"

The Fuji 24-Hour Race is also a focal point for the automotive industry. The industry refers to the race as a "moving laboratory," as it offers an extreme environment for testing. Special attention is given to the "ST-Q" class, which is created for automakers to test and verify emerging technologies and future power systems under development. The competition is divided into a total of 11 classes based on vehicle performance and engine displacement.

The ROOKIE Racing team led by Chairman Toyoda attracted attention by entering the ST-Q class with the world's first liquid hydrogen engine vehicle featuring superconducting technology—the "GR Corolla." Since 2021, Toyota has been entering hydrogen engine vehicles in the Fuji 24-Hour Race to verify their technologies under extreme conditions. For this year's event, Toyota replaced the conventional electric motor that drives the pump with a superconducting motor.

Before the race, Chairman Toyoda set a goal of completing 500 laps during the competition. Although a voltage regulator issue extended maintenance time and prevented the team from reaching its goal, they nonetheless completed 484 laps. Chairman Toyoda personally drove 75 laps at the age of 70, bolstering his team's performance. Industry insiders noted that a hydrogen engine vehicle finishing such an extreme race marks a significant step forward for the future development of hydrogen and other eco-friendly vehicles in motorsports.

Meanwhile, the overall winner of this year's event was the TKRI team with their AMG GT3 car. This vehicle completed a total of 793 laps (3,618 km) in 24 hours—a distance equivalent to about five round trips between Seoul and Busan. Some cars had to withdraw overnight due to engine fires, while others were involved in collisions in the early morning fog and drizzle. Some teams even used tape to temporarily repair doors and managed to finish the race.

Spectators are setting up tents around the Fuji Speedway circuit in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, to watch the "Super Taikyu 2026" race. Shizuoka, Japan – Photo by Seungjin Lee

Motorsports: A National Festival to Eat, Watch, and Enjoy

Despite being two to three hours away from Tokyo and other major cities, Fuji Speedway welcomed 65,000 visitors from across the country. This figure represents a 120% increase from last year, thanks to the wide variety of entertainment options offered in addition to the race itself.

Dozens of food trucks were lined up in the circuit plaza, where families enjoyed meals and relaxed. Experience booths set up by automakers drew long lines as well. One of the highlights of the event was the fireworks display, which drew exclamations of wonder from the spectators.

At 7:30 p.m. on June 6, the fireworks began and lasted for about 15 minutes, with brilliant pyrotechnics illuminating the night sky above the circuit as dozens of race cars sped around with their headlights on. The combination of roaring engines and crowd cheers created a scene unique to the Fuji 24-Hour Race.

Fuji Speedway also offers a variety of attractions outside the racetrack. At the "Fuji Motorsports Museum," the world's first permanent exhibition featuring 10 Japanese and international automakers, visitors can take in the history of automobiles and motorsports at a glance.

The "ROOKIE Racing Garage," the development base for the ROOKIE Racing team founded by Chairman Toyoda, was also opened to the public. This is where the hydrogen engine Corolla and GR series are developed, and it stands as a symbol of Toyota's philosophy of "making ever-better cars."

On the evening of the 6th, fireworks are taking place at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Shizuoka, Japan – Photo by Seungjin Lee

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.