Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia (TSM) was omni-present at Round 1 of the inaugural Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival Series that took place at the Batu Kawan Stadium on 12th and 13th August. TSM was the main Gold sponsor and all competing teams used Malaysian-made Toyo Proxes T1R tyres that were said to perform ‘admirably’ throughout the event while withstanding the gruelling pace over 3 days of practice and race sessions on an abrasive concrete surface circuit in extremely hot and wet weather.
Toyo Drift Show Draws Packed Crowds
One of the highlights was the cheers from the spectators brought on by two celebrity drivers who were specially brought in from Japan by Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia; Masato Kawabata and Hideyuki Fujino. The two champion drivers, from Toyo Tires Drift Trust Racing and Wisteria with Toyo Tires respectively, signed autographs, met with Toyo employees, dealers and fans, and more importantly, performed thrilling drift demonstrations at the Toyo Drift Show. Masato Kawabata is three-time Japan D1 Grand Prix series Champion and Guinness World Record Holder for the World’s Fastest Drift, while Hideyuki Fujino is the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Japan Drift Muscle Champion.
They wowed the spectators and performed a ‘master-class’ exhibition of skill and precision behind the wheel of their Toyo tyre–shod Toyota 86s. Many VIPs from UMW Toyota, Toyota Racing Development and Toyo Tires from Malaysia came away impressed with the skill shown by the two drivers.
A Toyo Lounge was also set up to serve as respite from the scorching sun for the two star drivers, Toyo dealers, visiting VIPs as well as Toyo management.
TSM also hosted the crowd with its TSM Booth that offered a display of the Toyo tyre product range and an in-house deejay to keep everyone entertained. Quiz sessions were organised and many prizes and tokens were awarded to winners or given away to the large crowd streaming through.
Overall, the supporting events organised in the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival by Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia was described as a resounding success.
