The world’s first hydrogen engine from the team “Rookie Racing” was used at the “NAPAC Fuji Super Tec 24 Hour Race” held at Fuji Speedway from May 21st-22nd.
The race vehicle is a modified Corolla Sport which burns compressed hydrogen to power a turbocharged 1.6 liter in-line three cylinder engine.
Among the professional drivers was Mr. Toyota “Morizo”, President of Toyota Motor Corporation who also took the wheel for a portion of the race to further promote the hydrogen engine.  The Corolla Sport was fitted with the Ogura carbon fiber reinforced GR clutch.  This is the same clutch that has been adopted by Toyota as an option on GR Yaris OEM vehicles and was also used in the GR Yaris in last year’s Fuji 24 Hour Race, that helped win the championship. It is a great honor to be involved in this historic vehicle with the world’s first hydrogen race engine.  Ogura will continue to learn from the data gathered during this race to further improve clutch products.