Video: The incredible Toyota GT-One returns to Le Mans

19th October 2018

Ben Miles

Emmanuel Collard may not be a household name, but he has competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours 24 times, enought to put him sixth on the all-time starters list. Two of his starts came in a bright red Toyota designate the TS020 – a car much more commonly known as the GT-One.

You can argue for the rest of time whether the GT-One is the most iconic GT1 car of them all, or if the 911 GT1 takes the accolade, or even if the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR thrashes both. But there is no denying that the shape, rarity and triumph and tragedy story of the GT-One have earned it legendary status in the hall of sportscar greats.

This year's Le Mans Classic featured a class specifically for some of the more recent and more iconic racing cars that have hit the tarmac at La Sarthe, during which Emannuel Collard was reunited with the beast he raced – but never saw the finish line in – at Le Mans in 1998 and 1999. Thankfully someone had the wherewithall to strap a GoPro into the cockpit with him and bring us a memory so pure that it will send a shiver down your neck.

Listen to that deep, growling thunder of the Toyota's 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Look at the view from its wondrous bubble-like cockpit. And marvel at the speed at which Emmanuel is happy to throw this piece of museum art around Le Mans.