The future of the Toyota Supra is secure for at least five years in Australia thanks to Supercars racing. Everything is also pointing to the GR GT, a Toyota GR concept car unveiled last year, as the next racing and showroom spearhead for Brand T.

The future news comes as Toyota Australia makes its heavily hyped move into touring car racing with the GR Supra as a rival to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Sydney Motorsport Park is hosting the five shiny new Supra GR racers, led by the #1 Toyota driven by defending champion Chaz Mostert.

No-one at Toyota Australia – or the teams run by Walkinshaw Racing and Brad Jones Racing – is making predictions about on-track success, but company vice-president John Pappas re-stated Toyota’s long-term commitment that mirrors its involvement in cricket and AFL football.

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“This is truly a massive moment for all of us. We don’t do things by halves,” said Pappas. “We don’t enter things to lose. But we don’t want to put out too high expectations.”

That approach extends to the future of the Supra in showrooms, even though everything is pointing directly to a GR GT with Supra badges sometime after 2027.

“That is super exciting. That vehicle. That is going to be unbelievably great for the brand.

“I would love to see that car come to Australia. But we’ve got nothing to announce today,” Pappas said. “Right now we’re focussed on the GR Supra. That’s the vehicle for us for the next five years.”

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Those words indicate that the Supra-cars racing program will use the existing body shape for five seasons, even though the last customer cars were delivered in Australia last year.

In addition to the Supercars program, Pappas confirmed Toyota’s ongoing support for the GR 86 Cup in circuit racing and a two-car attack on the Australia Rally Championship with the GR Yaris.

“This year will be the biggest year ever for Toyota in Australian motorsport. Participating in motorsport demonstrates Toyota’s passion and commitment to what we do,” Pappas said.

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It is also a reflection of Toyota’s work to build a barricade against Chinese import brands, cementing the sales success of the Toyota HiLux favoured by many motorsport fans and its position as number one in showrooms.

“The more we race, the more we learn. For us it’s all about learning,” said Pappas.