Toyota Raise 145,000 Euro for Tsunami Relief

Toyota Motosport raised today 145,000 euro (190,000 USD) for the victims of the recent Tsunami in Asia, after the Japanese carmaker opened up its Formula One factory for visitors.

Toyota announced earlier this month they would work with the German Red Cross to raise money to aid the relief efforts in the affected countries.

The team said 5,500 people visited today the factory at Cologne, Germany, where members of the public received an unprecedented view behind the scenes of a Formula One factory and had a chance to meet the team's race drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher.

"Today's event was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come and see inside a Formula One factory," Trulli commented. "Toyota as a manufacturer has already done a lot to support the catastrophe in south-east Asia and the Open Doors event was our chance to offer something special.

"From what I know, this is the first time that an F1 factory has been opened to the public and it is a good way to give something unique to the public, whilst raising money to those who have been affected by the tsunami."

Ralf Schumacher added: "The Toyota Motorsport Open Doors event was a really excellent idea to raise money for the victims of the Asian tsunami. At the same time, we have been able to offer the public a rare glimpse into the workings of the Toyota F1 team to see first-hand how the entire race car is built under one roof.

"I was impressed by the number of people who turned up at the factory to show their support to this worthwhile cause."