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Toyo tyre Corporation is thrilled to announce a remarkable accomplishment: a Toyota Land Cruiser fitted with their OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R off-road tyres won the production car section at the 2023 Dakar Rally. The event took place in Saudi Arabia from December 31, 2022, to January 15, 2023, and was contested by Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body with the support of Toyo tyre. The company, headquartered in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, and led by President and CEO Takashi Shimizu, was proud to support TLC, a rally team managed by Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd., located in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, and presided over by Keiji Masui.
Toyo tyre has a long-standing relationship with TLC, announcing its support for their participation in the Dakar Rally as far back as 2021. Drawing on the technology and expertise in off-road racing that the company has developed alongside TLC, Toyo tyre created the OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R off-road tyres with specially tailored specifications for the 2023 Dakar Rally. These tyres offer improved performance on challenging terrains, such as rocky roads and deserts, and have a reduced environmental impact thanks to the use of sustainable materials. The tyres were fitted on two specially modified Land Cruiser 300 vehicles for the 2023 Dakar Rally.
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The Dakar Rally 2023, which took place in Saudi Arabia from December 31, 2022, to January 15, 2023, was a test of endurance for both vehicles and tyres. The participants competed to have the lowest driving time over the 15 special stages, including the prologue stage and liaison sections, which spanned a total distance of approximately 8,900km, including demanding dune stages. Despite the challenges, both TLC vehicles powered by Toyo tyre's OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R tyres were able to complete the race. The tyres, specially designed for the rally, boasted impressive performance on rough terrain and resistance to external damage, helping the TLC vehicles reach the finish line. In the production car category, TLC celebrated a one-two finish with Ronald Basso and Jean Michel Polato taking first place and Akira Miura and Laurent Lichtleuchter taking second place, marking TLC's tenth consecutive victory in the category.
TLC's Director, Yuji Kakutani, stated, "Thanks to the improved specifications of the OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R, we were able to secure our 10th consecutive win in the production car category at the 2023 Dakar Rally. The race included challenging dune stages, but our Land Cruiser 300 combined with the OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R tyres was able to navigate these obstacles effectively. Our successful performance is a testament to our joint development efforts." Driver Akira Miura expressed gratitude, saying, "The 2023 Dakar Rally had a more difficult route than anticipated, but the combination of the OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R tyres and the Land Cruiser 300 allowed us to tackle even the toughest dune stages. I am now more confident in my ability to compete in future rallies. Thank you for your support."
Toyo tyre has announced its intentions in its Mid-term '21 Plan to strengthen the development of unique products, such as the OPEN COUNTRY tyre series. The company will continue incorporating the knowledge gained from racing into its product development to offer higher-performing and higher-quality products.
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