TOM'S
Japanese racing team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Japanese racing team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TOM'S Inc. (株式会社トムス, Kabushiki-gaisha Tomusu) is an automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer and tuner of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, as well as a factory-backed racing team. The TOM'S head office is located in Tokyo, Japan.[1][2]
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Industry | Automobile tuning & parts manufacturer for street and motorsports |
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Founded | February 20, 1974 |
Founder | Nobuhide Tachi |
Headquarters | , Japan |
Key people | Isao Tanimoto (President and Representative Director) |
Products | Automobile tuning and racing products |
Website | global |
TOM'S most prominently produces aftermarket parts for current Toyota vehicles, and has also created its own special edition of certain current Lexus models.[3][4]
In motorsport, the company is currently heavily involved with Super GT, Super Formula and Super Formula Lights.[5][6] TOM'S Racing has won the Japanese Formula 3 Championship 21 times, the Super GT series nine times, the Super Formula Championship four times, and the Super Formula Lights series three times.
The name stands for Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport, as the company was established in 1974 by Nobuhide Tachi and Kiyoshi Oiwa.[7] Despite an oil crisis at the time, the two were able to show productive results and a healthy development of motorsports for Toyota.[8] With the support of Toyota, TOM'S went into business in 1974.[8][9]
In 1975 the Toyota Motor Corporation officially recognized TOM'S as an authorized tuning shop.[8] In 1978, the firm opened a garage in the Tama area of Tokyo.[8] TOM'S entered the Japanese Formula 3 as an engine tuner in 1981. in 1987, TOM'S expanded to Hingham in Norfolk, England, setting up as TOM'S GB LIMITED.[8] From here they ran their F3, Sportscar and BTCC campaigns along with chassis and engine production. TOM'S sold the Norfolk factory to Volkswagen in 1998 and left the European market.[10]
In 1993, TOM'S produced vehicles for the Japanese Formula 3000.[8] In 1994, the firm marked its 20th anniversary with "TOM'S Angel T01", a commemorative model.[8] 1995 saw the lightweight sports car series T101, T082, and T020.[8] In 2003, TOM'S modified vehicles entered the All Japan F3 Championship group of the All Japan GT Championship.[8]
Also the aero work done to the number 36 Castrol TOM'S SUPRA (1997 GTC 500 Champion with Michael Krumm and Pedro de la Rosa).[19]
Outside of aftermarket tuning and parts, TOM'S Racing has a long history within the world of motorsport. Since its founding in 1974, TOM'S has continuously stayed involved in automotive racing, as a tuning partner, engine supplier, or racing team, especially with Toyota factory-backed racing teams.[2]
TOM'S Racing had a large involvement and repeated success in the now-defunct Japanese Formula 3 Championship.
They won the championship a record 21 times: in 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018.[2]
TOM'S Racing has been consistently involved in the Super GT racing series, the top level of Japanese sports car racing, since 1995 when it was called the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC). The team has raced both Toyota and Lexus silhouette cars.
TOM'S has won the GT500 Class Championship nine times: in 1997, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.[2][20][21][22]
From 1985 until 1993, TOM'S competed in the 24 Hours of LeMans, with a best result of 2nd place in 1992 with a Toyota TS010.[2]
TOM'S raced in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship in Group C, winning a championship in 1992.[2]
With the second-most team wins in history, TOM'S has won the Macau Grand Prix five times: in 1992, 1998, 1999, 2007, and 2008.[2]
TOM'S won the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1994 with a Toyota Corona E, and in 1997 with a Toyota Chaser.[2]
In the top level of Japanese single-seater racing, the Super Formula Championship, TOM'S has won the championship four times: in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2019.[23]
Additionally, in its developmental series, Super Formula Lights, TOM'S has won the championship in 2020, 2021, and 2022.[2]
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