Toyota just crashed into Australia’s touring car elite, finally pulling the wraps off its GR Supra Supercars beast during the Bathurst 1000. After years of whispers, the move kicks off their push into the Repco Supercars Championship by 2026—and boy, did they make a statement.
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Walkinshaw Andretti United crafted the machine, and it tore up Mount Panorama on Friday with Neil Crompton at the controls. The seasoned racer and commentator, deeply tangled in Toyota’s whole Supercars gambit, threaded the sleek black prototype around the legendary track like it was second nature.
Under that hood? A monster. Toyota’s 5.2-liter V8, souped up from the Lexus RC F’s heart, roared without a hiccup. Flawless laps screamed progress—like they’ve been prepping this thing in secret for ages.
“Driving the Supra here at Bathurst was incredibly special,” Crompton said after the run. “It’s been a long time in the making, and to see Toyota’s involvement becoming reality is something I’m proud to have helped make happen.”
Testing’s been rolling since early this year, hitting Aussie tracks before jetting to the U.S. for final tweaks. There, it’ll face wind tunnels and dynos alongside Chevy and Ford’s rides, all to lock in fairness before 2026’s big debut. When the flag drops, WAU’s throwing Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood into two Supras, while Brad Jones Racing fires up three more for Andre Heimgartner, Cameron Hill, and Macauley Jones.
Bathurst wasn’t just a Toyota moment—it’s a seismic shift for Supercars. After a decade of two-horse races, the grid’s finally getting a third player. Game on.
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