Toyota to sponsor UK Club Motorsport series.

Toyota has underlined its commitment to supporting grassroots British motor sport with further backing for the forthcoming season for both the MR2 Championship and the Toyota Sprint Series. It is the second consecutive year that the massively popular club-level championships have enjoyed Toyota’s title sponsorship.

The Toyota MR2 Championship, organised by the 750 Motor Club, will feature a 14-round calendar in 2012, with capacity grids anticipated. “We are already looking at running heats and finals at some circuits to ensure that as many people as possible get a race,” said championship official Patrick Mortell.

More than 60 MR2 racers competed in 2011 and the indications are that numbers will exceed that total this season, with good support across all three classes encompassing the MR2’s production life, as well as in the associated races for MR2 ‘Super GT’ cars.

“It means a very great deal to us to have again secured Toyota’s backing for the championship,” added Mortell. “It is unusual for a manufacturer to support a race series for a model no longer in production, and it demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to club motorsport.”

Designed as an affordable first step into motor sport for the Toyota enthusiast, the Sprint Series is another enormously well supported competition which sees the drivers of models as diverse as the Yaris, Celica, MR2 and Supra in competition against each other – and the clock, more importantly – at a variety of venues around the country.

Series co-ordinator Adrian Smith said: “We welcome Toyota as our overall sponsor for 2012. The series truly reflects Toyota’s sporting history and involvement with grassroots motorsport and we are proud to have its support. With Toyota’s help, we have brought together a professional team that will provide every driver with a friendly and affordable motorsport experience.”

Toyota will also once again be offering parts and logistics support to privateer competitors racing the Toyota Avensis in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Toyota MR2 Championship provisional calendar

• 31 Mar/1 Apr Silverstone, Northants
• 28/29 Apr Brands Hatch, Kent
• 26/27 May Cadwell Park, Lincs
• 23/24 Jun Donington Park, Leics
• 04/05 Aug Anglesey
• 01/02 Sep Donington Park
• 14 Oct Mallory Park, Leics

Toyota Sprint Series provisional calendar

• 18 Mar RAFWoodbridge,Suffolk
• 13 May Blyton Park, Lincs
• 12 Aug RAF Barkston Heath, Lincs
• 16 Sep Croft, North Yorks
• 20 Oct Snetterton, Norfolk