by Miniature GR Yaris that conquered Monte Carlo
Most garage projects end with a half-disassembled engine on a stand and problems in family life. This one ended in Monte Carlo. While others are content with die-cast models or radio-controlled cars, one Australian enthusiast spent 13 months creating a half-scale Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 that you can sit in and drive. The result is a single-seat tribute to the WRC, scaled down to 50% and fully functional.
3D-printed body made from 123 parts
The body of the mini GR Yaris was created using a 3D printer. A total of 123 parts were glued and sanded into a single form that replicates the aggressive wide body of a real WRC competitor. The 1/2 scale model has no doors, but the cabin is easily accessible through a removable roof. It even has functional headlights and taillights, as well as sliding plexiglass windows.
The finishing touch was a professional vinyl wrap in the official 2026 Toyota Gazoo Racing livery — white, red, and black colors provided by the team itself.
Justin White / Facebook
Under the printed shell is a chassis from a cross kart, whose wheelbase was extended by 580 mm (22.8 inches) to achieve the correct proportions. A high-revving motorcycle engine powers the rear wheels, producing approximately 118 hp (88 kW / 120 PS) in a car that weighs next to nothing.
Early tests showed a speed of 94 km/h (58 mph). White claims it is capable of reaching 150 km/h (93 mph), which sounds different when you remember the car was assembled in a home garage from printed plastic.
Not everything went according to plan. Excessive mechanical grip caused handling issues in the early stages, so the sticky rubber was replaced with trailer tires, and the roll cage was reworked to allow the chassis to flex.
Recognition from Toyota and WRC
After an official invitation from Toyota, the mini Yaris was tested on WRC stages in the French Alps, proving it is not just a toy. It was also displayed alongside a real GR Yaris Rally1 in Monte Carlo.
The miniature rally car even caught the attention of team principal Jari-Matti Latvala and WRC driver Oliver Solberg, who were clearly impressed by its appearance in the service park. The lesson, if there is one, is that limited resources and a year of perseverance can produce a convincing tribute. The rest is details.
This project demonstrates how passion and engineering ingenuity can transform an ordinary hobby into something that captures the attention of global automakers. Justin White’s story is not just about creating a model, but about how perseverance and creativity can open doors to the professional world of motorsport, even when you start in your own garage. It is also a reminder that the limits of what is possible are often defined only by our imagination and willingness to spend time turning dreams into reality.
