Toyota Brings Back Iconic Corolla Name to American Rally Championship

GR Corolla RC2 to Compete in ARA's RC2 Class with Quintero and Luthtinen Behind the Wheel

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A blurred, abstract image of a Toyota rally car in motion, with streaks of red, white, and black paint conveying a sense of speed and power.The Toyota GR Corolla rally car, a high-performance machine inspired by the brand's World Rally Championship success, will bring new energy and excitement to the American Rally Association championship.Chicago Today

Toyota is reviving the iconic Corolla name for its entry into the American Rally Association (ARA) championship in 2026. The high-performance GR Corolla RC2 rally car will compete in the RC2 class, bringing WRC-level thrills to American rally fans. Driven by American rally star Seth Quintero and co-driver Topi Luthtinen, the Corolla will challenge Subaru's dominance and create an exciting new manufacturer battle.

Why it matters

Toyota's return to American rallying with the GR Corolla RC2 marks a significant moment for the sport, as it will inject new energy and competition into the ARA championship. The Corolla's storied history in global rallying, combined with Toyota's commitment to building exciting, motorsports-inspired vehicles, is sure to captivate rally enthusiasts across the country.

The details

The GR Corolla RC2 will be powered by the same 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine found in the road-going GR Corolla, ensuring it has the performance to dominate the ARA's RC2 class. Toyota is positioning the car as a 'roughly equivalent' to the Rally2 class in international rallying, meaning it will be a formidable competitor on American rally stages. The manufacturer is aiming to develop cars that perform well on North American roads and create even more exciting motorsports-bred vehicles for enthusiasts.

  • The GR Corolla RC2 will make its debut in the 2026 ARA championship season.

The players

Toyota

A Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer and the world's largest automaker by production. Toyota is bringing the iconic Corolla name back to American rallying with the high-performance GR Corolla RC2 rally car.

American Rally Association (ARA)

The sanctioning body for rally racing in the United States, organizing the American Rally Championship.

Seth Quintero

An American rally driver who will be behind the wheel of the Toyota GR Corolla RC2 in the 2026 ARA championship.

Topi Luthtinen

A Finnish rally co-driver who will be partnering with Seth Quintero in the Toyota GR Corolla RC2 for the 2026 ARA season.

Subaru

A Japanese automobile manufacturer that has been a consistent manufacturer presence in the ARA championship, and will now face a new challenger in the form of the Toyota GR Corolla RC2.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be bringing the iconic Corolla name back to American rallying. The GR Corolla RC2 is a high-performance machine that will inject new energy and excitement into the ARA championship.”

— Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation

What’s next

Fans can look forward to seeing the Toyota GR Corolla RC2 make its debut in the 2026 ARA championship season, where it will go head-to-head with Subaru's WRX in an exciting new manufacturer battle.

The takeaway

Toyota's return to American rallying with the GR Corolla RC2 is a significant moment for the sport, as it will bring new energy, competition, and thrilling WRC-inspired action to the ARA championship. The iconic Corolla name, combined with Toyota's commitment to building exciting, motorsports-bred vehicles, is sure to captivate rally enthusiasts across the country.