Press Release

Osaka-Japan -August 5- Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. announces that Masato Kawabata, contracted driver of TOYO TIRES, won Round 3 of 2013 D1 Grand Prix Series at the Ebisu Circuit in Fukushima on 3 August 2013.

Masato Kawabata, team leader and top driver of Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT with GP SPORTS, won at first qualifying session, called "Tan-Sou"(solo runs). Kawabata negotiated at precise angles and high speeds in the Circuit. The Judge appreciated his aggressive drifting and gave him the best scored.
As the "Tui-Sou"(one on one battle), Kawabata who continued to keep his strong momentum drove with excellent drifting techniques and he got a victory not only solo but also one on one battle.

At Round 4 of D1 GP on 4 August, although Kawabata made excellent performance at Tan-Sou final, he finished second place. And then, at one on one battle, he got 5^th place.

After the results of Round 4 of 2013 D1 GP, Kawabata has positioned the first place overall and Tan-Sou ranking.

The 2013 D1 Grand Prix Series remains only 2 rounds. One is on September 14 Round 5 at Huis Ten Bosch Special Course Nagasaki on September 14, the other is November 9 Round 6 Odaiba Special Course Tokyo on November 9.
Stay tuned for our Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT upcoming activities towards series final.

Click here for the TOYO TIRES Drift website http://www.toyo-rubber.co.jp/drift/ (Japanese only)