Automotive giant Toyota has achieved just about everything it has ever set out to do, however there is one goal that has eluded this Japanese car firm thus far, winning the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Since this famous, annual race began in 1923, Mazda is the only Japanese car company to have won this prestigious race (in 1991). Toyota had tried to conquer the ‘Circuit de la Sarthe’ in both 1998 and 1999 with the GT-One (pictured), and while they had an extremely quick race car, its fuel consumption and some technical issues prevented it from getting to the top of the podium.

The latest rumors now suggest that Toyota will be back at Le Mans next year with a new LMP1 category racer, and it will feature hybrid technology. Race car constructor Dome is said to be building the car for Toyota.

There is no official word yet on Toyota’s entry and all Vincent Beaumesnil (sporting manager of Le Mans and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest) has said thus far is:  “We are in contact with many manufacturers who are interested in LMP1, not just Toyota.”

So only time will tell if Toyota truly is once again going after the Le Mans crown. We’ll keep you posted on this developing story.

[Source: Autosport]

2010 will mark the beginning of a new era of racing. GT racing goes global with 20 races spanning nine countries across four continents on ten of the world’s leading circuits. Only six manufacturers will compete in the inaugural season of the FIA GT1 World Championship with Nissan being the sole representative from the Land of the Rising Sun. They will be campaigning a quartet of similarly-built GT-Rs, a pair from Sumo Power GT (#22, #23) and the other two from Swiss Racing Team (#3, #4). Drivers Peter Dumbreck and Michael Krumm, for the Sumo Power GT GT-R, and Karl Wendlinger, multiple FIA GT race-winner and driver for Swiss Racing Team were present at the press conference held at the Automobile Club de France in Paris. “I have been racing in the FIA GT Championship for many years, but now I’m very excited about the new world championship – and very happy to be driving the Nissan GT-R,” said Wendlinger.

We’re not surprised that Nissan would be the only bold manufacturer from Japan to campaign in the FIA GT1 World Championship. With all the accolades and accomplishments the GT-R has already received worldwide, a FIA GT1 World Championship would immortalize the GT-R moniker and cement it as one of the world’s finest piece of machinery. Stiff competition will be coming with entries from Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini and Maserati.

Specs for the vehicles according to the FIA GT1 World Championship website declares a minimum weight of 1250kg and a maximum horsepower of 600. With a maximum horsepower imposed as FIA GT1 regulations, Nissan opted for a 5.6L V8 engine that hits the mark of 600 hp with 480 ft-lbs of torque. The GT-Rs will be equipped with extra wide 18×13-inch wheels all around with 6-piston calipers and carbon ceramic brakes peeking behind each one. Stay glued to Autoguide.com as we’ll be keeping a close eye on these GT-Rs on April 16-17th, 2010 where they will debut at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the season-opener.

GALLERY: FIA GT1 Nissan GT-R Race Cars

[Source: Nissan News]