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Toyo Signs Another Racer-Rodrigo Ampudia

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We told you earlier this week how Toyo had inked Twitch Stenberg. Well, they are still being active. They also signed Rodrigo Ampudia, another Pro2 driver. Ampudia lives in San Diego (love it) and was the first foreign driver to win a CORR race.

From my earliest days behind the wheel, I learned the absolute necessity of running tires I can trust. Our new partnership with Toyo Tires gives RA Motorsports everything we need to pursue a championship title,” said Ampudia. “I am really excited to be a part of the Toyo Tires racing team as we share the same commitment for performance and innovation. Toyo is synonymous with quality in the world of Off Road Racing carrying an amazing reputation worldwide.”

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Rodrigo Ampudia to our impressive team of short course racers,” said Amy Coleman, senior director of marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Rodrigo is a championship driver who will help demonstrate the winning capabilities of our Open Country M/T-R tires. He also expands our marketing reach, exposing the Toyo Tires brand to new fans both in the United States and Mexico.”

He’s on a team that now includes Twitch, Jeremy McGrath, and Kyle DeLuc. That’s a nice roster for Toyo. We give them a lot of credit for putting together such a solid team.

Toyo Signs Jeremy Twitch Stenberg

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Toyo Tire welcomes Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg to their Pro-2 racing team, which also includes Jeremy McGrath. Toyo seems to like the motocross/FMX guys who cross-over into truck racing. We do too! These guys kill it and it’s great to see Toyo sponsoring them. Twitch has won 10 medals at the X-Games in Freestyle Moto-X and won the 2010 SuperLite truck class in LORR.

“I’m pumped to be joining my teammate Jeremy McGrath on Team Toyo. Toyo Tires has established itself as a leader in short course off road racing with the Open Country M/T race tire,’ said Twitch. “My Stronghold Motorsports Pro2 is dialed in and with my Toyo Tires putting that horsepower to the ground we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

“We are excited to have both Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg and Jeremy McGrath as members of Team Toyo Off-Road in 2012,’ said Amy Coleman, senior director of marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Both are highly competitive and have a huge base of fans. They will both be great representatives of our Toyo Tires philosophy’ Driven to Perform.”

Toyo Sponsors BJ Baldwin

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Did you notice the “General Tire” logo on BJ’s truck in the photo? If so, remove it from your mind because he now drives for Toyo Tires. BJ tested tires from numerous companies and decided the Toyo Open Country was the best tire for his trophy truck.

“BJ is an accomplished off-road racer and we are confident our tires will bring him even more success” says Amy Coleman, senior marketing director. “For 2012, Toyo Tires is now represented by two of the most prolific drivers in off-road racing; Robby Gordon and BJ Baldwin. Our expectations are higher than ever for Team Toyo to score big wins in desert racing.”

Baldwin signed through 2014 and fellow racer Kyle LeDuc renewed his Toyo sponsorship through 2014 as well. BJ won the 2010 Best-In-The-Desert Championship and the 2011 General Tire Mint 400. Toyo has put together a strong racing team for 2012. Watch out!

Toyo Tires Ready for 2012 Dakar Rally

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Team Speed, Toyo Tires, and Robby Gordon are ready to compete in the 2012 Dakar Rally. Robby will be joined by the 11-time Baja 1000 champion Johnny Campell in the bright orange #303 Hummer H3. Last year’s Dakar winner, Nasser Al-Attiyah, will be joined by Lucas Cruz in the gray #300 Hummer H3.

Gordon and Toyo have been competing in Dakar since 2006. “Toyo Tires and I have worked hard over the years to develop a tire combination that is right for the HUMMER,” said Gordon. “Their team has put a lot of effort into making a Toyo tire that is tough, durable and ready for the Dakar Rally. It has good grip and can sustain the varying terrain, from sand to slick gravel roads to hard rocky areas. I look forward to getting out there and racing on it.”

Dakar is a 14-day, 6,000 mile race that starts in Argentina and finishes in Peru. It’s like the Baja 1000 on crack. “Dakar is the most challenging off-road endurance race on the planet and is a true test of both man and equipment,” said Stan Chen, manager of events and motorsports, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “We are proud to have Toyo Tires represented by these off-road champions. The Open Country M/T-R is the perfect tire to lead them to their goal of winning the 2012 Dakar.”

Follow Robby and the Toyo team from Toyo Tires blog – click here

SoCal SAYS: When you are thinking about a product for your truck (suspension, tires, wheels), just look at where the company competes. If the company has their products on vehicles competing in the Baja 1000 or Dakar race, it’s pretty likely that they can hold up in Glamis. Toyo stands for quality and that’s probably why the Open Country is one of the best selling truck tires in the history of lifted trucks.

Director of HR at Toyo Passes Away

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David Gooch, Director of Human Resources at TOYO Tires U.S.A., passed away on November 10th due to illness. David was a 30-year veteran of the tire biz, including stints at Sumitomo, Dunlop, and Pirelli. He is survived by his wife of 35 years and two children. This is a loss for the entire automotive industry. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Hoof Beats of Hope Inc., c/o Mrs. Jan Gooch Foy, 840 Osage Crossland Road, Puryear, TN, 38251.

SoCal SAYS: David was loved by many and will be missed.

New CEO at Toyo Tire USA

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Toyo Tire has named Tatsuo Mitsuhata as President and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A., effective January 1, 2012. Mr. Mitsuhata has been at Toyo 23 years and will replace Yashushi Takagi. Tatsuo has climbed the ranks at Toyo and was most recently the Head of Sales for Toyo Overseas.

“Tatsuo Mitsuhata is an experienced veteran of Toyo Tires worldwide, with prior service in the U.S.,” said Takashi Shimizu, president and CEO, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. “We look forward to bringing his leadership and extensive knowledge to Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. as the Toyo Tires brand continues to expand in this country.”

SoCal SAYS: This may seem like a minor story, but we hope that Mr. Mitsuhata will dedicate more of Toyo USA’s time to lifted trucks. The last CEO seemed to care most about cars, but Toyo owns the lifted truck tire market. They should go bigger than they are currently and do more with the Nitto brand. Lots of potential here…let’s see what Tatsuo Mitsuhata can do.

SEMA Booth – Toyo Tires

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In our second “booth” review of the week, we look at Toyo Tires. Before we get to the trucks, we want to talk about something else. Toyo understands that most lifted truck owners ride dirt bikes, eat fast food, and watch UFC fights. Therefore, they are stepping up and bringing some of the fighters they sponsor to SEMA. Pure genius. It’s nice to see a big tire company like Toyo gets it. Toyo’s booth will include appearances by MMA fighters Brandon “The Truth” Vera, Miesha “Take-Down” Tate, Chad “Money” Mendes and Anthony “Showtime” Pettis. The first 100 people in line to meet Mr. Pettis will receive a special Toyo Tires/Showtime Pettis t-shirt by FORM Athletics. Attendees will have the chance to take pictures with the fighters, and then download those free pictures almost immediately to share them with their friends.

Toyo is only bringing one lifted truck, which is this F150 Raptor by Street Concepts. Even though we hate the fender flares, everything else is sick. It has a big lift, snow-camo wrap, 20″ Toyo Open Country tires, and a differentiated light set-up. Nice work.

Toyo is also bringing the Durango they will be giving away, which can be viewed in this previous SoCalTrucks.com article: http://socal.techmonster.co/2011/09/toyo-ultimate-ride-sweepstakes/

SoCal SAYS: We give Toyo a “B-” grade for their lifted trucks at SEMA. The first truck their bringing is very unique, but their only bringing one lifted truck. This is from a company who’s Open Country tire dominates the market. Still, probably worth stopping by since they have a lifted truck and MMA athletes…a deadly combination.

Toyo Expanding the Nitto Brand in China

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The headline isn’t exactly what you think. First things first, in case you weren’t aware, Nitto is owned by Toyo Tires. Not surprising since they are both top quality brands. The story above is true, but it relates mainly to a partnership on passenger car tires in China. Toyo is going to partner with a truck and bus tire manufacturer in China, so this could be a sign of more trucks to come in China. And if China gets more trucks, it’s only a matter of time before they get lifted trucks 🙂

SoCal SAYS: As China gets more wealthy, they are going to want trucks. Why? Because more stuff requires vehicles to move that stuff, which means trucks will be more and more necessary. We can’t wait until we see pics of the first lifted truck in China. One day my friends…one day.

Toyo Sponsors UFC Fighter Brandon Vera

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This week, Toyo Tire announced that they will be sponsoring light heavyweight UFC fighter Brandon “The Truth” Vera. He has a record of 11-5 and will fight on October 29th at UFC 137. As some of you may know, “The Truth” lost in early 2011 and was dropped by UFC, but when it was revealed that his opponent was juicing, he was re-instated. It looks like this next fight could be critical for him.

Toyo currently sponsors athletes like Robby Gordon, Jeremy McGrath, and Mark Munoz.

SoCal SAYS: It’s great to see Toyo continue to sponsor UFC athletes. SoCalTrucks would love to sponsor a UFC fighter, so email us if you’re interested. We hope that Vera wins this fight and regains the form he had when beating the likes of Frank Mir.