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Modded Lexus GS450h sedan will take part in the Tokachi 24-hour race. (http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19686548%255E913,00.html)

Austrailia Advertiser - July 4, 2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Lexus_GS450h.jpg
The 2007 Lexus 450h - full performance hybrid

TOYOTA will enter a hybrid car in Japan's only 24-hour race later this month, marking the first time a major carmaker is playing a leading role in putting a petrol-electric car in a competition with semi-international status.

The hybrid Lexus GS450h sedan will take part in the Tokachi 24-hour race at Tokachi International Speedway in Hokkaido from July 15-17, Toyota said.

Until now in Japan, only private teams that had hybrids have competed in independent events.

Toyota's hybrid switches between a petrol engine and an electric motor for better mileage. It runs on the electric motor at slower speeds and fuel at higher speeds.

Car and Driver tested the Civic and Prius on a racetrack and they both got around 15mpg on the track, which is roughly in line with what a gas-only version of the same car would achieve. I imagine the Lexus won't really have any fuel economy advantage - for racing, diesel is really the only way to get superior fuel economy due to it's higher energy content per gallon.

Well, this will be a New Adventure for the Hybrids. Could get some additional exposure for the Hybrids.

Terry

Would this race be called the Japan Grand Prix?