Toyota President Racing This Weekend: Akio Toyoda at the Nurburgring

This weekend, Toyota's incoming president will be tackling yet another daunting challenge - this one in the Eifel Mountains of Germany. Akio Toyoda, 53 and grandson of company founder Kiichiro Toyoda will be one of eight drivers of a pair of Lexus LF-As entered in the 37th running of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Just last month, Mr. Toyoda was on the SP8-class-winning LF-A driving team in the 4 Hours of Nurburgring.

The Lexus LF-A has been in production limbo since its introduction as a concept in at Detroit in 2005. As the supercar in Toyota's "L-finesse" design language, the LF-A concept has been waiting its turn with production versions rumored to be revealed at any moment - perhaps in conjunction with Mr. Toyoda's ascendency next month.

After several outings in flat-black livery, the Nurburgring LF-A looks like a proper factory racecar. Entered by GAZOO Racing, the Lexus pair is powered by the 4.8-liter V10 pumping out 492 horsepower in near stock tune.