Hydrogen-Powered Corolla Attempts Groundbreaking 24-Hour Endurance Test
In a groundbreaking move, the Toyota liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla H2 Concept participated in the 2023 Fuji 24 Hours endurance race. This marked a world-first for a liquid hydrogen-powered vehicle in a 24-hour endurance competition.
The Race and the Car
Running on liquid hydrogen fuel, a technology aiming for zero carbon emissions in motorsport, the GR Corolla competed in the Super Taikyu Fuji 24 Hours. This endurance race is known for its demanding nature, testing durability and fuel system reliability.
Despite facing challenges such as fog[1], the GR Corolla completed an impressive 468 laps, totaling 1,634 km. This achievement equaled a previous feat the Corolla accomplished at Fuji International Speedway two years earlier, where it ran 1,634 km on gaseous hydrogen.
Overcoming Challenges
Handling liquid hydrogen fuel safely and effectively in an endurance racing environment is complex due to hydrogen’s properties such as low temperature requirements and high flammability. Weather conditions such as fog impacted visibility and potentially vehicle thermal management, adding difficulty to the race[1]. The technology remains in a developmental stage, requiring continuous evolution of the fuel system, powertrain, and vehicle integration to ensure competitiveness and reliability over a full 24-hour period[3][4].
The Team and the Journey
The GR Corolla was driven by Morizo, accompanied by four teammates: Hiroaki Ishiura, Masahiro Sasaki, Yasuhiro Ogura, and Jari-Matti Latvala. The team's journey in developing the liquid hydrogen-powered Corolla is detailed in Toyota Times News.
This 2023 race was the liquid hydrogen Corolla’s second consecutive 24-hour endurance event, emphasizing iterative improvements based on prior learnings and real-race data[3][4]. The developers worked diligently to rectify issues and prepare for the 24-hour race, including shedding 50 kg for the race to attract significant media attention.
However, the team faced an unexpected setback when the Corolla caught fire during a test run at Fuji International Speedway in March. New partners joined in the development process to help overcome these challenges.
The Future of Motorsports
The Corolla's successful completion of the 24-hour race drew applause from mechanics, drivers, and all involved. This pioneering effort in proving liquid hydrogen technology in endurance racing has implications for future carbon-neutral automotive developments.
The developers' quest to create ever-better cars through motorsports continues. The Corolla, powered by liquid hydrogen, completed a 24-hour endurance race on May 28, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the world of sustainable motorsports.
[1] Fog affects visibility during Fuji 24-Hours race [3] Toyota's GR Corolla H2 Concept completes 24-hour race [4] Toyota GR Corolla H2 Concept: The world's first liquid hydrogen-powered race car
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