Organising Toyota’s trio

Toyota Gazoo Racing will bring three of the team’s significantly updated Toyota TS050 HYBRID LMP1 cars to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.

It is a crucial period for its FIA World Endurance championship quest, and its 24 Hours of Le Mans preparations as Yuji Kunimoto, Nicolas Lapierre and Stéphane Sarrazin get ready for their first race of the season.

The operational and logistical challenges are momentous for the Cologne based team, and it will be up to Senior Manager of the Team Management and Logistics, John Steeghs, to ensure the smooth running of the TS050 HYBRID trio.

Steeghs has been a mainstay at Toyota Motorsport since 1997 and has worked in a variety of positions over the last twenty years.

Back in 1998 Steeghs was responsible for the stores, lifing and planning of parts for the mighty Toyota GT-One challenger which came so close to winning Le Mans in both 1998 and 1999. A popular and familiar presence in endurance racing, Steeghs commands respect as a figurehead of organisation in the Toyota Gazoo pit.

“I was part of the team in 1998 and 1999 when we ran three of the Toyota GT-One cars,” says Steeghs. “It was tough and a challenge, but racing and especially endurance racing has changed in many ways since those days from the sporting and business side.

“Obviously you have some more people when you have three and you need to get them on an operational level quickly,” he continues. “At Le Mans, having a third garage helps as a complete team as it gives more space in there and also at the back of the garage too, which is useful.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing will not be limited to the amount of personnel they can take to Spa and Le Mans. However, after the 24 Hours of Le Mans a limit of 65 personnel will come in to affect for two car teams. If a third car should be entered, the limit is a headcount of 90 persons.

“We have two crews full-time during the season, and for the third crew we have been training the extra people we will use in testing already.  Spa will be a good test and will be used to learn. For sure we will have a lot more car parts and we will have to pull everything together.”

As well as racing at Spa this week, Toyota Gazoo Racing will return to the Ardennes venue at the end of May for what has become an almost traditional pre-Le Mans test.

The reasons for doing this final test, which is essentially a final shakedown before heading to France, are clear according to Steeghs.

“Obviously we know that Spa is quite a close track to Le Mans and what is needed set-up wise, but it is also very close to our base in Cologne,” confirmed Steeghs. “It means we can get parts to and from the track quickly, and it is a good solution just before we head to Le Mans from a logistical point of view. It will not be easy but then, when was endurance racing ever easy!”