HKS has announced its full-scale entry in the JN3 class of the 2027 All Japan Rally Championship. It plans to make a spot entry in the final round of 2026, Montre 2026, ahead of that entry, using a vehicle based on the GR Yaris to advance technical development and collect data.
HKS, a comprehensive tuning parts manufacturer, announced that it will officially enter the JN3 class from the 2027 season. The competing vehicle will be the HKS GR Yaris, based on the Toyota GR Yaris. Taguchi Katsuhiko (田口勝彦) is scheduled to serve as driver, with Kitagawa Sae (北川紗衣) as co-driver.
For this rally program, HKS will form the HKS Rally Team, comprising mainly younger staff from its product development division, and plans to accumulate vehicle data and feedback for use in product development and engineer training.
It will advance vehicle development and build the team structure ahead of its full-scale entry, make a spot entry in Montre 2026 in 2026, its first round, for real-world testing, and prepare for its full-scale entry from 2027.
HKS President and Representative Director Mizuguchi Daisuke (水口大輔) explained that the company views motorsports as an important field for technological development and plans to build toward a full-scale entry after a spot entry in the JN3 class.