Replete with steel wheels and a roll cage.
Many JDM fans will tell you that the glory days of JDM sports cars is behind us, and that most manufacturers responsible for the classic era of Japanese sports cars have gone soft, but if the latest news from Subaru is anything to go on, we might just be entering a new age of enlightenment. The new Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are here and more capable than ever, and to expand on these car's simple-yet-effective driving characteristics, Subaru Japan has announced a stripped-down, race-ready “Cup Car Basic” version which will compete in local track events across Japan. These racing BRZ models will compete in the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86/BRZ cup scheduled to begin later in 2022.
This comes at a time when Subaru has stopped taking orders for the new BRZ due to the sold order allotment having been met for the 2022 model year. These cup cars will be rather exclusive, with Subaru Japan planning on selling only 30 units per year.
Each BRZ is fitted with a six-point roll cage with sidebars, a six-point seatbelt for the driver, an engine oil cooler, and rear differential cooling fins. The seat-side and side curtain airbags have also been removed for safety reasons. The cars will be offered in seven different colors, including the classic WR Blue Pearl and Crystal White Pearl.
Under the hood, the 2.4-liter boxer motor remains stock, sending 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. There is no word on suspension and tire specs yet, but the steel wheels are refreshing to see as it bodes well for the affordability of the race series.
Toyota has claimed that the GR 86 is sharper than the BRZ due to different front knuckles, stabilizers, bushings, springs, and ECU software, but race regulations will put these two close siblings on a more equal footing.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86/BRZ Cup is a user-participation-type one-make race that will start in 2022, taking over the Toyota Gazoo Racing 86/BRZ Race that has been attended by many people since it was first held in 2013.
Toyota Gazoo Racing offers a driver training experience that offers five lessons for keen beginners, and the first event takes place at Fuji Speedway on July 16. It remains to be seen whether Subaru will offer something similar.
But before you call your nearest Subaru dealership, these race cars are only available in Japan at a cost of 3,338,500 Yen ($28,939 at current exchange rates).
Keyword: Subaru Now Sells Readymade BRZ Race Cars