THE Toyota Supra HV-R hybrid race car which made history by being the first hybrid race car ever to win a competition, has gained further honours winning the award for Race Engine of The Year 2007.

The nominations were selected by the editors of Race Engine Technology magazine and the awards were determined through votes cast by practising race engine professionals across all forms of global motorsport. The four categories include: Grand Prix; Global Motorsport; North American Race Engine and Alternative Power Race Engine, with one winner for the overall title of Race Engine of the Year.

By entering hybrid systems into racing events, Toyota engineers anticipate discovering ways to make hybrid systems (more famously fitted to the Toyota Prius production car), more efficient and lighter.

This year's race car was based on the iconic Supra GT used in Super GT races in Japan.