Race Celicas

Rod Millen's Pikes Peak Celica

Based off of the 6th Generation Celica body shell the Pikes Peak Celica has very little in common with a production Celica. From a 4 cylinder Toyota/TRD Racing engine to a carbon composite body shell, X-Trac transmission, to 4wd...the Celica is probably one of the most expensive, technologically advanced Celicas ever built. Although GT-4s were released overseas it is interesting that the Pikes Peak Celica isn't based off of the GT-4 design (note the hood differences). My speculation is that this is either due to an aerodynamic advantage or an engine design that eliminates the top mount intercooler. With an estimated 800HP on tap and a huge wing that keep the Celica firmly planted on the dirt, Rod Millen made several record shattering runs, including setting a Pikes Peak record that is still standing. Unfortunately, as Toyota moved out of WRC the Pikes Peak Celica was dropped in place of a Tacoma body shell. Toyota finally dropped the funding of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb all together in 2001.

NHRA Celica

Introduced in 2002 the NHRA Celica is Toyota's venture into drag racing. Competing in the funny car class this car really has very little similar to a Celica besides the paint scheme. If you do consider this a "Celica" however this may be the most powerful Celica ever built. The supercharged, nitro-burning, tire-spinning stats put it at a whopping 6000+ HP. The NHRA Celica is capable of reaching speeds over 320mph with quarter mile times less than 5 seconds.

Nascar Celica

While not near the fastest, nor the most powerful, the Nascar Celica is certainly worth mentioning. Campaigning in the Goody's Nascar Series the Celica is a DOHC V6 racing comparably powered domestic V-8s. Introduced in the 6th generation body style the Celica can now be seen in the latest (7th Generation) body style. This series has been shown on the Speed channel...the Goody's series is a smaller scale than typical Nascar which races smaller circuits around the country. As of this update the Huffman Celica is number one in the standings. Toyota is now sponsoring two Goody's teams: Watson/Weaver Racing & Rob Huffman Racing.

The HKS Celica

The Celica which most likely owns has the title of worlds fastest Celica is the HKS drag Celica. Built by legendary Japanese drag builder HKS...the HKS Celica was built off of the AT200 (U.S. ST) chassis. The Celica was the first FWD car under the 10-second barrier. Note that this was all done WITHOUT using a tubular chassis. Details are of course still kept confidential, however what is known is that the Celica has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine perhaps an over bored 3S-GTE, or based off of a Toyota Racing Engine used in the Pikes Peak Celica...

WRC Celica

In the late 1988-1996 Toyota won several WRC championships in a modified GT-4 Celica driven by Carlos Saintz. With an extremely modified engine, X-Trac transmission the Toyota Celica was always a contender throughout its WRC history winning 38 WRC Rallies and 2 WRC Championships.

Toyota began getting involved in WRC with the introduction of the Celica GT-4 (or All-Trac in the States) in 1988. With introduction of the GT-4 and sales of between 2500-5000 production versions worldwide a year Toyota was eligible to race in WRC. Toyota campaigned in both the 4, 5th and 6th Generation GT-4...however titles were won in the 5th generation Celica. The fifth generation car was perfect for rally at the time, however problems with the hood scoop aerodynamics forced a mid-generation addition of the Rally/Group A/RC edition. The Celica RC had a recessed hood vent instead of a hood scoop, and added an improved turbo and intercooler design.

The 6th generation was used only very briefly as teams saw little advantage in switching to a new body style. Teams were actually lobbying extensively to switch over to the Corolla. The Corolla, in driver's opinions, was a superior car for rally in that it was lighter and had a better view of the road. With the Corolla, Toyota did not see the success that it did with the Celica and ultimately pulled out of WRC in 1998 in favor of F1.