WRC Rally Japanese Cars

Toyota Celica< ST165

Toyota Celica GT-4 (ST165) 1988 - 1991

The ST165 is remembered as Toyotas first full-time 4WD rally car. Developed from scratch, the company created this car targeting the new Group A regulations. A delay in homologation approval, however, resulted in a late debut, which finally came at the 1988 Tour de Corse, the fifth round of the season.

The ST165 featured a variety of challenging designs of the car including X-trac-speed transmission. Reflecting the company full commitment to a WRC championship, engineers were busy troubleshooting problems at the factory from 1988 through mid-season in 1989. Their hard work finally bore fruit at the 1989 1000 Lakes Rally where an agressive and intensive performance of Sainz was a major topic of the event. And then again at Rally Australia, following the Finnish event, Juha Kankkunen claimed the first victory for the ST165.

In the 1990 season, the Celica finally began showing its true potential. After placing second at Monte Carlo, it won at Safari, Acropolis, New Zealand, 1000 Lakes and RAC. Carlos Sainz took the Driver¢_Ts Title, and the company placed second in the year¢_Ts overall standings for the Manufacturer¢_Ts Title.

Before the opening of the 1991 season, the ST165 was developed to near perfection, and the TTE drivers had full confidence in the car. Naturally, it scored wins at Portugal, Corsica, New Zealand and Argentina. Lady Luck, however, was not at the side of TTE for 1000 Lakes and Rally Australia, as Sainz rolled out and retired from two consecutive events.

The ST165 played a formidable role in bringing TTE to be recognized as a major factory team. Entering the rally world as Toyotas first challenge to Group A of WRC, the tremendous efforts of TTE made the car a top contender in just two short years after its debut. But in the end, the ST165 left WRC, saying ist farewells without taking a Manufacturers Championship.

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