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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Extends Contract with Papadakis Racing

April 11, 2008 – CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA -- Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. announces they have extended their contract for 2008 with the drifting team of Papadakis Racing. The team includes Stephan Papadakis, team owner and driver of the Rockstar® Energy Drink/AEM®/Toyo Tires™ Honda S2000 drift car; and Tanner Foust, 2007 Formula Drift® Champion with his Rockstar/AEM/Toyo Tires Nissan 350Z. Both cars are equipped with Toyo® Proxes® R1R™ extreme performance tires, the tires that won the 2007 Formula Drift championship.

Papadakis has been a member of Team Toyo™ since 2002 and has won championships as a sport compact drag racer in both the IDRC (Import Drag Racing Circuit) and NIRA (National Import Racing Association). His Honda Civic Hatchback was the first front wheel drive car to break, 150, 160, 170 and the 180mph barriers in the quarter mile. He then constructed a rear wheel drive Honda Civic which held the title of "Worldís Quickest Honda" and "Worldís Fastest Sport Compact", including a national MPH record in the NHRA® with a 6.54-second elapsed time at 211.73 mph. In 2005, Papadakis entered Formula Drift competition with his highly prepared Honda S2000 competing on Toyo Proxes® T1R™ ultra high performance tires. He immediately demonstrated his diverse talent by becoming the 2005 Formula D Rookie of the Year.

When not defending his Formula Drift championship, Tanner Foust is the host of SuperCars Exposed, a weekly television show on SPEED Channel. He is a movie stunt driver with prominent driving rolls in feature films such as "The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift" and the recent movie version of the "The Dukeís of Hazzard." Foustís car control skills are extensive and it shows with his 2007 Formula Drift Championship on Toyo Proxes R1R tires.

"I am happy to have such a long term relationship with such a great tire company," said Papadakis Racing team owner, Stephan Papadakis. "We have won championships in different types of racing with Toyo and we plan on a great year ahead."

"Papadakis Racing has been an asset to Team Toyo for many years, demonstrating a high level of professionalism wherever they compete," said Stan Chen, manager of events and motorsports for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. "We look forward to a great year in 2008 for Steph and Tanner as they both compete on our Proxes R1R tires."

To learn more about Team Toyoís Stephan Papadakis and Tanner Foust, and the Proxes® line of tires from Toyo, log on to toyo.com. Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks, buses andÝoff-road and construction applications.

 

 

About Toyo:
Toyo® has been making tires for more than 60 years and currently stands as the 11th largest manufacturer of its kind in the world. Worldwide Toyo distribution covers the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Asia, Mexico, Canada and Australia.

In the US since 1966, Toyo Tire (USA) Corporation distributes exclusively to independent tire dealers and can be found in approximately 2,000 retail locations nationwide. A loyal dealer and consumer base has contributed to annual sales growing at double-digit rates for six out of the last seven years.

With a focus on premium tires, Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks, buses and off-road and construction applications.

The company has created partnerships with many high profile sports and lifestyle organizations such as Ultimate Fighting Championship, the John R. Wooden Classic, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Championship Off-Road Racing (as seen on NBC) and Sports Car Club of America.

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