D1GP superstars surprise in supercars.
In its latest expression of brand spirit, Toyo Tires has unveiled a new YouTube video ‘Surprising the world’.
It features twin Audi R8s equipped with Toyo Tires’ flagship brand, Proxes ultra-high performance tyres scorching limitless tarmac at Fuji Speedway in a duel that demonstrates the full potential of Toyo Proxes T1 Sport.
Exhausts howling under acceleration, the supercars slide in tandem at high speeds, drifting into smoke-curling, too-close-for-comfort donuts in a wall-to-wall performance created to delight car enthusiasts.
The video embodies everything the company strives for in setting itself apart from the competition, says Yoshiyuki Morikuni, branding team leader for Toyo Tires.
“We’ll always be pursuing optimal performance with creations that, on the foundation of our unique technological innovations, look to give us an edge over others,” he said.
“This is a video that expresses the spirit of what Toyo provides as a brand – new values and surprises not found elsewhere. ‘Surprising the world’ is loaded with such strong feelings. The video packs a punch, so I really hope that people enjoy it.”
Appointed for their ability to produce masterful and flamboyant driving performances were Masato Kawabata and Akinori Utsumi, marquee drivers for Team Toyo Tires Drift.
Masato Kawabata and Akinori Utsumi
Participating in Japan’s national pro drifting championship, the D1 Grand Prix (D1GP), since 2002, Kawabata joined Team Toyo Tires Drift in 2007. He promptly went on to win his first series championship – a feat he repeated in 2013.
Sweeping up a host of awards, Kawabata now competes in the first Nissan R35 GT-R in the history of the D1GP. In 2015, Kawabata again leads the D1GP championship pack.
Participating in the D1GP since 2001, Utsumi joined Team Toyo Tires Drift in 2011. Within two years of his move to Team Toyo Tires Drift Utsumi finished with a personal best of fifth position in the 2013 season rankings.
Driving the distinctive RC962 Silvia, Utsumi drives with an aggressive style, excelling at deep approach angles and maintaining high speeds through corners.
‘Surprising the world’ is the second in a series of globally targeted videos from the Japanese tyre manufacturer – the successor to the November 2014 release of ‘AC Milan vs Super car by Toyo Tires’, which received more than 7.5 million total views online.
