1/24 Toyota Castrol TOM's Supra GT (Tamiya Sports Car Series 163)

The Japanese GT Car Championships were inaugurated in 1993, and are becoming more popular with motorsports buffs throughout domestic Japan. In addition to the highly modified Japanese cars, the super cars of Europe, like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, vie for the title. During the 1995 season Toyota entered a fleet of their race tuned Supra GT's into this popular event. Packed into the Supra look alike body shell was Toyota's latest racing technology. A 2,140cc, 4-cylinder turbocharged powerplant was taken from Toyota's Eagle Mk.III racing machine, which was active during the "93 IMSA races in the U.S.A. The X-Trac developed sequential 6-speed gearbox efficiently transmitted this engine's awesome power to the rear wheels. Four wheel double wishbone suspension components were taken from another Toyota prototype racer, the TS010. The body shell was extensively modified to obtain even better aerodynamics. Additional air intakes and outlets, oversized fenders and a huge rear spoiler, gave its massive silhouette and even more aggressive appearance. Four different racing teams used the Supra during the "95 season and among them, Tom's was sponsored by Castrol. Driven by skilled drivers Sekiya and Krumm, the Castrol Tom's Supra pleased the racing fans with its outstanding performance throughout the season.