Surprising the World!
In its latest expression of brand spirit, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. has unveiled YouTube video ‘Surprising the world’. （https://youtu.be/iyhzFF4s_A8）
In this latest video, two Audi R8 super cars, equipped with Toyo Tires’ flagship brand, Proxes, ultra-high performance tires, dual, demonstrating the tires’ potential.
Information about the vehicle used in ‘Surprising the world’
・Tires: Proxes T1 Sport - /tire/pattern/proxes-t1-sport
・Car: Audi R8
・Location: Fuji Speedway, Japan
The Drivers
To capture the live action of a masterful driving performance, Team Toyo Tires Drift drivers, Masato Kawabata and Akinori Utsumi, were brought in. The combination of the two drivers and their flamboyant techniques heightens the level of surprise in the video.
Masato Kawabata
Participating in Japan’s national pro drifting championship, D1 Grand Prix (D1GP), since 2002, Kawabata joined Team Toyo Tires Drift in 2007. He promptly went on to win his first series championship that year – a feat that he repeated in 2013. Having swept up a host of awards, last season Kawabata began competing in the first Nissan GT-R in the history of D1GP. Kawabata is currently leading the pack again in first place this season.
Akinori Utsumi
Participating in D1GP since 2001, Utsumi joined Team Toyo Tires Drift in 2011. Within two years of his move, Utsumi finished with a personal best of fifth position in the 2013 season rankings. While excelling at approach angles and maintaining high speeds through corners, Utsumi’s aggressive drifting style complements a colorful talker and popular character.
