Tommi Makinen Racing

[navtheace]

Does anyone have any news on TMR for 2011? Well respected company and owner.

I do remember the news of Tommi speaking to the media about TMR is quiet.

Any news on TMR? They have some of the best looking Imprezas :)

[Jake Stephens]

From what I've read, he's in trouble moneywise and may not operate in 2011. That's from another thread I looked at earlier this year, now don't quote me on that.

[Hartusvuori]

From what I've read, he's in trouble moneywise and may not operate in 2011. That's from another thread I looked at earlier this year, now don't quote me on that.

I think the money trouble thing was over exaggerated. TMR made some huge investments few years back and that's why they have not made huge profits, something like that. It was interpreted as money troubles... Those that know better can clear this matter more.

Joonas Lindroos, who ran a TMR Impreza in Finnish championship this season, will run next season as well. And TMR has numerous clients practically everywhere.

[Sulland]

Is Tommi looking into R4 Subaru ?

[OldF]

For sure he would like to and also will if the R4 has some success. I don’t think there’s a need for a company like Tommi Mäkinen Racing, Prodrive or similar to update a N4 to R4.

Here are some financial figures for Tommi Mäkinen Racing:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii284/OkdF/TommiMkinenRacing.jpg

As you can see a decline in the sales (1.115.000 €), big investments and (maybe) fixed costs at the same time is not a good combination. Investment deduction is usually made over many years but for last year the minus is big.

[Motorsportfun]

I don’t think there’s a need for a company like Tommi Mäkinen Racing, Prodrive or similar to update a N4 to R4.

Tommi told me they're developing the new Subaru R4! ;)

[Hartusvuori]

Thanks OldF for the figures (financial, I mean).

[Hartusvuori]

Ran into this press release, dated December 10th:


Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI), which has been entrusted with motorsport responsibilities of its parent company, will further enhance support for activities of Subaru WRX STI users who participate in the Group N category during the 2011 season. The Group N category is a category in which modifications to cars are strictly restricted, and thus the performance of the base car is of paramount importance. Also, as the cars compete in a near road-car-state, Group N has gained popularity as a motorsport category in which even beginners can participate. The Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) and the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) are typical examples of such competitions.

Subaru registers itself as a manufacturer in the 2011 IRC
Following last season, Subaru will register itself as a manufacturer in the 2011 IRC. The IRC is an international rally established in 2007 and run by the European sports TV program provider Eurosport. Results of crews who use the cars of IRC-registered manufactures are eligible for series points, and the rally action is broadcast around the world on Eurosport and other channels, which creates an environment where Group N car users can enjoy rallies through the media.


STI establishes the “2011 SUBARU Challenge Award”
STI will establish the “2011 SUBARU Challenge Award” for PWRC entrants. The top three drivers in each rally of the 2011 season and the season overall will be given the award along with prize money.
Rallies: All 7 rounds of the 2011 PWRC
Eligible drivers: Drivers who are registered in the PWRC for the year and one-off entrants recognized by the organizer are eligible. However, drivers competing in regional or domestic championships held at the same time cannot participate.
Eligible cars: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Group N (the GRB type which conforms to 2011 FIA Group N regulations)


STI responds to the new 2011 FIA regulations
STI will develop and sell parts which conform with the new R4 regulation due to become effective in 2011. R4 is a new category which allows official kit to be applied to current Group N cars to strengthen their competitiveness against their competitor S2000 cars. STI has been supporting activities of Group N users who compete in the FIA World Rally Championship and other competitions since 1990. On this occasion, STI will strive to invigorate Subaru motorsport activities by enhancing their support in order to facilitate an environment where users can participate in Group N competitions more easily.http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/ir/contents/pdf_en_65522.pdf


This Finnish feature (http://auto.fi.msn.com/page.php?page_id=2&news_id=201008984) on the subject adds Tommi Mäkinen Racing into saying:


"... TMR is actively involved in developing the Impreza R4 kit.

- With the new R4 kit we'll improve the performance of Group N Subaru and also its reliability. Car will be 50 kgs lighter, suspension arms will be strenghtened and suspension travel will be longer.

- Next season Group N Subaru's side and rear glasses can be exchanged to lighter plastic. New R4 cars will have better ability to fight against S2000 in Group N. For private drivers this is good, long waited news, says Mäkinen."

[jiipee64]

Visited TMR a few weeks ago. :)
At that time there were quite a few cars there. :)
Tommi said that he was waiting for the R4 regulations. :rolleyes:

It is hard trying to do business if You don't know what You will be selling...
:D

[OldF]

Tommi told me they're developing the new Subaru R4! ;)

I meant by this if a N4 that has been built by Tommi Mäkinen Racing is send to e.g. South America, it would be costly to send it back to Finland for updating from N4 to R4 and then back again.

[OldF]

Thanks OldF for the figures (financial, I mean).

You can find the basic financial figures for companies here: http://www.finder.fi/
When you find the company you’re looking for, click on the company’s name at right of the number and find out how yours neighbour’s company have succeeded recent years. :D

[Arska]

Well I was there for a week with my friend during our work practice program. I worked with mr. Mäkinen himself, Kari Hytönen and some other workers who got on very well with us. We moved some tires, worked with the cars and cleaned places. We saw some drivers too, such as Esapekka Lappi, Jarkko Miettinen and Mikko Pajunen, whose Subaru Impreza WRX STi R4 we had to wash :)

[Sulland]

What do you think Tommi will do with his firm in the future?

Will we see new cars developed or just driver development?

[AnttiL]

I believe they will still be employed by Toyota, but just in a different business model, like for example, TGR orders a day of testing in central Finland. And maybe they will be involved in developing or even running the Rally2 car.

[pantealex]

What do you think Tommi will do with his firm in the future?

Will we see new cars developed or just driver development?

What firm ?

This TMR was the company which Toyota bought last week.

TMR had 3 owners (all male, one was Tommi)

[AnttiL]

What firm ?

This TMR was the company which Toyota bought last week.

TMR had 3 owners (all male, one was Tommi)

I tought Tommi said in an interview that ”TMR will stay with me”. And this is also the reason they don’t use Puuppola hq anymore?

[Allez Andruet]

What firm ?

This TMR was the company which Toyota bought last week.

TMR had 3 owners (all male, one was Tommi)

Apparently there hasn't been any changes on the list of stakeholders of TMR? Based on the recent news and quotes from Tommi himself, Toyota bought the operations, but not the company (TMR).

[Sulland]

Last world championship rally of 2020 is done. And one of the iconic team managers has left the building!

Tommi has had a good run as team boss at Toyota. Building a team from more or less scratch in a "barn" in the middle of nowhere in Finland. Very few thought this would fly at all, but;

He was making results very quickly, and winning rally number 2 in year 1 that was 2017!
Winning team title year 2
Drivers titles in year 3 and 4.

Not a bad legacy!


What now;
- Take a year off?
- Go directly into the new Toyota role?
- Start up his own tuning firm again?
- Leave the sport for good?

[masa90]

Toyota Gazoo Rally will still continue in Finland right? And didnt they find some new role for Tommi already from Toyota?

[AnttiL]

Toyota Gazoo Rally will still continue in Finland right? And didnt they find some new role for Tommi already from Toyota?

Yes, they just separated Tommi Mäkinen Racing from it and got a new hq in Jyväskylä.

[pantealex]

Tomorrow Wednesday should be date of new BOSS announcement

I know some details but everyone can wait one more day ;)

[abcrally]

Tomorrow Wednesday should be date of new BOSS announcement

I know some details but everyone can wait one more day ;)

The name of new boss will be nice surprise to most of us :bounce:

[dimviii]

The name of new boss will be nice surprise to most of us :bounce:

former co driver or somebody else?

[EstWRC]

Capito?

[WRC1]

Capito?

not very likely...abcrally wrote it will be a "nice" surprise....nobody would be happy if it is Capito....my bet JML ;)

[Andre Oliveira]

We are discussing on wrong thread.

The guy will lead the Toyota Gazoo WRT not the Tommi Mäkkinen Racing ;)

https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?37343-TOYOTA-GAZOO-Racing-WRT/page123

[EstWRC]

JML? with his mindset?

great person and a very good driver but i dont see him as a team leader, sorry

[pantealex]

The name of new boss will be nice surprise to most of us :bounce:

Not nice for me.

[cali]

Not nice for me.Not Capito, nooooo....

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[Lancia Stratos]

Not Capito, nooooo....

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He would do a great job there. But, i don't think so.

[cali]

He would do a great job there. But, i don't think so.Yes he would but I don't like the guy at least bit. He gets too extreme ideas from time to time but for sure what comes to leadership and experience he has it.

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[Sulland]

What is Tommi up to these days?
Is he on a forced sabattical by Toyota, or is he working on advising on something inside Gazoo?

Is there any activity on the farm?

[linni]

Toyotas still run under Estonian plates and the TGR technical department is still located in Tallinn. The facilities itself belong to Tommi Mäkinen Racing. So he is still on the Toyotas`s payroll kind of. But not for long, TGR will move all activities soon to Finland.

Tommi produced safety cages in Estonia before TGR. Don`t know if this business is still active though.

[cali]

Tommi Mäkinen Racing OÜ had in the first quarter of 2021 a turnover over 1 mil €, although the 2nd quarter was 3 times less

https://www.teatmik.ee/en/personlegal/12948224-Tommi-M%C3%A4kinen-Racing-O%C3%9C

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[pantealex]

Toyotas still run under Estonian plates and the TGR technical department is still located in Tallinn. The facilities itself belong to Tommi Mäkinen Racing. So he is still on the Toyotas`s payroll kind of. But not for long, TGR will move all activities soon to Finland.

Tommi produced safety cages in Estonia before TGR. Don`t know if this business is still active though.

All this is true but I want to highlight that he is OUT from TOYOTA. He doesn´t work for them anymore.

Tommi is having "vacation" and it may last forever...

ps.Yaris Rally1 will most probably also have Estonian plates, law and tax reasons.

[Maui J.]

Hopefully TMR will start a new project with another manufacturer. Tommi proved with Toyota that he has the skill and the people to put together a world class team. There were a lot of doubters, especially on this forum, that the Yaris will fail but he proved them all wrong.