Toyota reveal Bates brothers’ liveries

Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia has released the liveries for both its Toyota GR Yaris AP4s ahead of next month’s RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) season opener. Run by the Neal Bates Motorsport, the two identical vehicles will be campaigned by reigning ARC champion Harry Bates and 2019 runner-up Lewis Bates for the 2022 season.

With the Toyota GR Yaris AP4 yet to be beaten on any stage of the ARC since debuting last year, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia crew will be looking to secure back-to-back Manufacturer Titles this year.

Driving alongside co-driver John McCarthy in 2022, Harry was looking forward to being behind the wheel of the Toyota GR Yaris AP4 for the season.

“I can’t wait for the first stage of this year. I’ve really missed travelling and competing in all of these amazing rallies for the last two years and it is a part of the sport that I love,” Harry said.

“The cars look amazing with their new look and this year we are taking on some really strong competition in the ARC, so I am really keen to put my best foot forward and hopefully add another national title to the first one.”

Lewis was also excited for the year and was hopeful that he and co-driver Anthony McLoughlin could take that one step further in 2022 and challenge for the title. “It is definitely looking like one of the most exciting ARC’s I have competed in,” Lewis said.

“There are some huge names coming and a few former champions as well. My focus is certainly to keep up the consistency and speed we’ve developed over the last few seasons and to start to really challenge Harry.”

The cars will be in action at Tuesday’s official pre-season test day, before the seven-round ARC season begins with the Netier National Capital Rally in Canberra on 1-3 April.