Toyota Australia will sponsor Rally Australia

Toyota Australia has signed as the lead sponsor for the Australian round of 2017’s WRC, held in Coffs Harbour NSW.

The decision was made due to the return of Toyota to the competition this year, the first time Toyota has competed as a team in WRC since 2000.

The Toyota Yaris WRC has had a relatively string debut, with Toyota Gazoo managing to stay ahead of Citroen, though not quite keeping up with Hyundai Motorsport or M-Sport’s Fiesta.

Jari-Matti Latvala did however, steer one to victory in this year’s Rally Sweden.

Rally Australia chairman Ben Rainsford says the return of Toyota to the competition has been a welcome change.

"As Rally Australia in 2017 celebrates its 25th year as a WRC event, it's wonderful to welcome a partner with its own great rally history. Toyota's name is synonymous with the sport, especially here in Australia," Rainsford says.

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"And while the Toyota Gazoo Racing world rally team will be drawing fans to spectate on the special stages in November, Toyota's range of road vehicles also will be in action, serving our event in many demanding official roles."

Toyota Australia's sales and marketing head Tony Cramb adds that the company is keen to show its support for Rally Australia.

"Toyota's commitment to rallying comes from the very top with our global president Akio Toyoda firmly believing that overcoming the extreme challenges of motorsport is vital in our quest to build ever-better cars," Cramb says.

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"There is a strong bond between Toyota and rallying going back to the 1970s with four WRC drivers' and three WRC manufacturers' titles at the global level.”

This year will be the sixth that Rally Australia is held in the Coffs Harbour region.