From Road Car to Rally Contender: The X Shift GR Yaris

The Toyota GR Yaris has established itself as a capable platform for rally competition, but transforming a road-going performance car into a competitive rally machine takes considerably more than additional horsepower.

That's exactly what Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa set out to achieve with its GR Yaris rally project, driven by Mark Jones alongside co-driver Kes Naidoo.

As part of the car's development, the original six-speed manual transmission was replaced with an X Shift six-speed sequential gearbox, featuring close-ratio gearing designed for the demands of rally competition. The installation also incorporates a dual-stage launch control system, bringing another level of control and performance to the package.

The 2026 season provided an opportunity to put the new setup to the test. Competing in the South African National Rally Championship, the team continued developing the car across both gravel and tarmac events.

The results were impressive. Following a third-place finish in NRC2 at the Swartland Rally, the crew continued building momentum throughout the season. They eventually finished second in the NRC2 championship, with Kes Naidoo securing the co-driver title.

It's a great example of how the right combination of engineering, development and competition experience can turn an ambitious project into a serious rally contender.

We're pleased to see X Shift technology playing a part in the GR Yaris's development and congratulate Mark Jones and Kes Naidoo on their achievements throughout the 2026 season.

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