World Endurance Championship: Kazuki Nakajima, Kamui Kobayashi and Ryo Hirakawa, three Japanese drivers racing for Toyota - It will be almost impossible to forget the image of Kazuki Nakajima, held up by several members of his team as he climbed out of his car after the astonishing retirement of his TS050 HYBRID just six short minutes from the end of the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours. Later in the season, Kamui Kobayashi put in a heroic performance at the 6 Hours of Fuji, holding his own despite Audi’s fight-back led by Loïc Duval, and clinching victory for the Japanese manufacturer. Finally, 22-year-old Ryo Hirakawa, a driver from the Toyota stable, had a fantastic season with Thiriet by TDS Racing in the European Le Mans Series, earning two victories and a podium spot.
 

European Le Mans Series: Eurasia Motorsport, from the Philippines to Le Mans - The Philippine team won two races during the 2015-2016 Asian Le Mans Series, and competed in its first 24 Hours of Le Mans and first ELMS season in 2016. Their European debut was full of promise for a bright future, with the squad finishing fifth in LM P2 (ninth overall) at Le Mans and coming fifth overall at the end of the ELMS season; its best result was second place at the 4 Hours of the Red Bull Ring.

Photo: The Eurasia Motorsport team and its Oreca 05 (in the foreground) crossed the finish line fifth in class on their Le Mans debut, while Toyota (also pictured) has made a remarkable recovery after its nightmare finish at the 24 Hours.