In an overnight announcement that included the unveiling of the 2018/19 FIA WEC programme for Toyota Gazoo Racing details were also released of a number of other Toyota and Lexus race programmes.

RJ O’Connell outlines the brands’ plans in Super GT here but there are also expanded plans for the Lexus RCF GT3 with an as yet unannounced full season Blancpain GT Series campaign for Emil Frey Racing added to the brands’ IMSA and Super GT customer efforts. The team have already competed in a one-off effort in the Blancpain Series with a single car effort at the Nürburgring Blancpain Sprint round last season.

And there’s a racing debut for the newest Lexus Sports Coupe too as the SP-Pro class sees the Toyota Gazoo Racing squad participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hours for the 12th consecutive year in 2018.

The newly developed Lexus LC will make its debut with a single car developed for racing by the team. The car is currently in the test phase ahead of the race in May.

Takeshi Tsuchiya, Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo and Yuichi Nakayama will drive the new car.