Toyo Tires® Signs as Major Sponsor of Robby Gordon

LAS VEGAS, NV (November 4, 2005) -- Toyo Tires® announces the company has signed a multi-year contract with legendary race driver, Robby Gordon. Gordon will compete on Toyo’s Open Country M/T™ mud terrain tire in off-road racing competition, including SCORE-International Off-Road Racing Series events such as the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. In addition, Gordon and Toyo Tires® will tackle the grueling 2006 Dakar™, an international rally event which spans 16-days and more than 5,000 miles beginning is Lisbon, Portugal, then crossing Western Africa to the seaport town of Dakar in Senegal.

Gordon began off-road racing at a young age. He soon found success, winning five consecutive SCORE/HDRA Off-Road Championships from 1986 through 1990. Gordon is a two-time winner of the Baja 1000, two-time champion of the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series, and most recently is winner of the 2005 Baja 500. In addition to his off-road driving abilities, Gordon has five Top-10 finishes in the Indy 500, has won two Indy Car victories, one NASCAR Busch Series race and four NASCAR Nextel Cup Victories. Gordon is also an accomplished road racer, winning four consecutive victories in the IMSA GTS/GTO classes at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, three consecutive victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, and is a winner in the Trans Am series.

According to Travis Roffler, Senior Director of Marketing, Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation, “Robby Gordon is a legend in racing, and we are excited he is now with Toyo Tires. In addition to his exceptional driving talent, Gordon possesses tremendous physical stamina. Rare few drivers in the history of motorsports have his ability to win behind the wheel of such a diverse range of racing vehicles. Gordon will bring Toyo’s motorsports program to a whole new level.”

Robby Gordon will compete on Toyo’s Open Country M/T™, a multiple championship winner in only its first year of off-road competition. This same tire is the tire of choice for enthusiasts with custom street pickups that require great looks, a quiet ride and outstanding performance both on-and-off the road. For more information, log on to toyo.com.

During 2005, Toyo Group celebrates its 60th Anniversary. Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of high performance and original equipment replacement tires for passenger car, light truck, commercial truck, bus, off-road and construction applications.