Press Release

Osaka, Japan - 9 January, 2014 - Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. announces that the company-supported Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT drifting^*1 team will participate in the 2014 D1GP Kick Off Drift event held on a specially built course at Makuhari Messe’s outdoor event venue from January 10 ~ 12, 2014.

2014 D1GP Kick Off Drift takes place in conjunction with the TOKYO AUTO SALON 2014 event that will also be held at Makuhari Messe during the same dates. Eight of the top drift drivers will be selected to compete in this exhibition race.

Participating from Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT will be 2013 D1 Series champion Masato Kawabata, as well as fellow team members Tatsuya Sakuma and Akinori Utsumi, who finished 3rd and 5th in the Series rankings, respectively. These drivers will unleash a performance in Tanso (solo run) and Tsuiso (pursuit) challenges that will give spectators a true taste of the thrill of drift racing competition.

In addition, the entire team of Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT drivers will take to the course and perform a “TOYO TIRES Demo Run.” Along with a beautifully synchronized five-car performance, a ride-along experience will also be offered.

The Toyo Tires booth will feature a talk show by D1 Grand Prix MC Manabu Suzuki, a drawing for the drift ride-along experience, team souvenir goods for sale, and the Toyota 86 Toyo Tires drift performance car on display.

	2014 D1GP Kick Off Drift	TOYO TIRES Demo Run
1/10 (Fri.)	13:15~14:45
1/11 (Sat.)	12:00~13:30	14:00~14:30
1/12 (Sun.)	12:30~14:00	11:00~11:30

For the upcoming 2014 D1 Grand Prix Series, Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT will sponsor and participate in a new racing team launched by TRUST Corporation.

*For details on 2014 D1GP Kick Off Drift (sponsored by D1 Corporation), see the D1GP official website: (http://www.d1gp.co.jp/schedule/gp2014/gp1400/gp1400_index.html)