[Video] The Toyota disqualified from the WRC | GRR
Screaming, popping, jumping, sliding sideways action – it could only be rally. And for today’s Elevenses, we’re throwing it back to the mid-nineties, and the famous Toyota Celica ST205. Join factory team drivers Juha Kankkunen, Didier Auriol and Armin Schwarz as they contest the 1994 and 1995 World Rally Championships, throwing the Celica around with aplomb.
Despite their impressive performances, not all was as it appeared. In 1994, the latest generation Celica proved far bigger and clumsier than previously, with a new FIA-mandated turbo restrictor plate leaving it down on power. So, in a cunning plan, Toyota Team Europe found a way to have that restrictor disengage itself when installed on the car, using a complicated series of springs and washers. The engine still passed all scrutineering, and the turbo appeared entirely compliant when removed and inspected, but clever engineering increased airflow into the turbo by 25 per cent, giving another 50PS (37kW) boost to the already 300PS-plus (221kw) engine.
Ultimately, however, their deceit was discovered, resulting in the manufacturer being banned from the 1995 championship. But at least their engineering prowess was acknowledged, with FIA president Max Mosley commenting: “It’s the most ingenious thing I have seen in 30 years of motorsport.”
So, now you know the story, sit back and enjoy the incredible early season performance of Toyota Team Europe and remember, cheats never prosper.
Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: The loudest Porsches ever made