Every 2022 GR 86 purchased in the U.S. includes a one-year membership to NASA, and no, it has nothing to do with going to space. In this case, NASA stands for the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). With that, GR 86 owners will enjoy benefits including one free High Performance Driving Event (HPDE), and discounted admission to NASA-sanction events such as track days.

The rest of the U.S. spec GR 86 is pretty much the same as the Japanese model that debuted a couple of months back. It gets an enlarged engine—2.0 to 2.4-liter. It’s still a normally-aspirated 4-cylinder Boxer mated to either a 6-speed manual or automatic. It’s rear wheel drive. Heck, it even comes with Subaru’s EyeSight with Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, etc. (although Toyota USA conveniently scrubbed off the Subaru name in the official press release, opting to call it a part of the “Toyota Star Safety System.”)

Going back to the subject of motorsports training, Toyota USA has also extended this free NASA membership to owners of the 2021 GR Supra as well.

Checking at how much a NASA membership costs, it’s not exactly expensive at around US$ 50 (P 2,400), but it goes some ways in making sure GR 86 / GR Supra owners don’t race or drift on the streets, and at least learn the basics of track driving. Moreover, it makes you feel exclusive—like you belong to an elite club or something.

We’re no marketers, but we certainly believe Toyota could so something like this in the Philippines. With the current quarantine restrictions now allowing track days, Toyota Motor Philippines should allocate some of their budget to current and future GR owners to make them feel what waku-doki really is. A free track lesson or two for all GR owners, perhaps including the Vios GR-S could be want the branding doctor ordered.