Toyota Gazoo Racing becomes presenting sponsor of eSports WRC

• Agreement extends into further promotions spanning WRC 8 and upcoming WRC 9 games
• All communications around eSports WRC will feature Toyota Gazoo Racing Logo
• Anybody who owns WRC 8 can compete to win a Toyota GR Yaris ⁽¹⁾
• Toyota GR Yaris is a pure performance car born from Toyota’s title-winning experience in the World Rally Championship

Toyota Gazoo Racing has today announced that it has become the presenting sponsor of eSports WRC.  The move is the result of an agreement between Toyota Motor Europe and NACON, publishers of the official WRC video game, its development studio, KT Racing, and will take place in collaboration with WRC.  All communications around eSports WRC will be presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing.

The agreement between Toyota Gazoo Racing and NACON will extend into further promotions spanning the current WRC 8 game, as well as the next instalment of the official WRC game, WRC 9, scheduled for release on 3 September 2020.

Through the partnership, Toyota Gazoo Racing and NACON will offer the overall winner of eSports WRC – a competition open to all who own the WRC 8 game – an all-new Toyota GR Yaris ⁽¹⁾, a pure performance car, born from Toyota’s title-winning experience in the World Rally Championship. Forged from success in the heat of competition, it brings motorsport technology and design directly to the world of the road car, true to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s ethos for making ever-better cars that are intrinsically rewarding and fun to drive.

Developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing in partnership with Tommi Mäkinen Racing, the GR Yaris is the performance flagship of the all-new Yaris range. Powered by a 257 bhp 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine it is expected to offer 0-62 mph acceleration in less than 5.5 seconds and features lightweight construction, dynamic balance and Toyota’s new GR-Four intelligent all-wheel drive system.

Currently in its fifth season, eSports WRC continues to attract more competitors to test their mettle against players around the world. The season is set to conclude in October with a “Grand Finale” following which the season winner will be presented with an all-new Toyota GR Yaris.

Andrea Carlucci, Director of Product and Marketing Management of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “We’re pleased to partner with eSports WRC to bring the excitement of rallying to more fans around the world. As one of the pillars of Toyota Gazoo Racing, e-motorsports is key for us to make motorsport and sports cars more accessible to more people and to foster a new generation of car lovers everywhere. With the growing interest in eSports, and our increasing sports car offering, we’re looking forward to working closely with our partners to bring our exciting products closer to car drivers and WRC fans.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

⁽¹⁾ Terms and conditions apply and are available on https://www.wrc.com/en/more/gaming/rules/ , subject to availability of the model, a prize fund may be offered to the winner

About NACON

NACON is a company of the BIGBEN Group founded in 2019 to optimize its know-how through strong synergies in the video game market. By bringing together its 8 development studios, the publishing of AA video games, the design and distribution of premium gaming devices, NACON focuses 20 years of expertise at the service of players. This new unified business unit strengthens NACON’s position in the market and enables it to innovate by creating new unique competitive advantages. https://corporate.nacongaming.com/

About Kylotonn

Created in 2006, Kylotonn is one the most important French video game development studios, also known under KT Racing label. Specializing in motorsports and official developer of the WRC FIA World Rally Championship series and Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, the company is internationally recognized for its know-how and for the passion of its teams. With more than 110 employees as of today in Paris and Lyon, Kylotonn has developed more than 25 titles distributed by major publishers. Kylotonn has forged itself a strong technological expertise thanks to the real-time 3D engine KT Engine that the company owns. At the forefront of the video game industry, this technology is also used within R&D partnerships on autonomous vehicle projects in the automotive industry. Since 2018, NACON, one of Europe’s leading video game publishers, holds a 100% stake in the company. Kylotonn is member of the French National Developers Federation (Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo) and Capital Games. The company is supported by BPI, IFCIC and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. For more information, visit www.kylotonn.com.

About WRC Promoter GmbH

WRC Promoter GmbH is responsible for all commercial aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship, including TV production and the marketing of global media and sponsorship rights. The Promoter also has responsibility to increase the field of participants and to propose the venues that form the FIA WRC calendar.

The World Rally Championship is the FIA’s premium rally series. WRC showcases authentic motorsport, high performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic surroundings ranging from the ice and snow of Scandinavia to the blistering heat of Mexico. Established in its current format in 1973, WRC participants battle for the drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles at 13 rallies spanning 15 countries and six continents. Additional championship information can be found at www.wrc.com.

About Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Gazoo Racing embodies Toyota’s commitment to overcoming every limit to make ‘ever-better’ cars, to forge new technologies and solutions under the extreme conditions of motorsports, and to never stop innovating. Toyota Gazoo Racing races its cars to push the limits for better and to learn from the toughest challenges. Competing on every kind of road, no matter what the challenge, inspires Toyota Gazoo Racing to build ‘ever-better’ cars and engineer Toyota’s future DNA to bring freedom, adventure and joy of driving to everyone. For more information, visit www.toyotagazooracing.com