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A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., TRD serves a dual capacity for Toyota. In addition to being the North American racing arm for design, development and assembly of Toyota's racing engines, TRD also functions as the source of high-performance aftermarket products for Toyota, Scion and Lexas vehicles. From street performance to grassroots-racing parts, TRD plays an important role in providing Toyota with an enhanced image. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2004, TRD's initial facility in Gardena, California, was established in 1979 as a performance-parts distributor in the United States for TRD Japan. From its modest beginnings with a staff of less than 20, TRD U.S.A. has grown to become a world-class race-engine facility and performance aftermarket sales organization employing more than 250 people. Since its inception as an affiliate company under the direction and leadership of TMS, TRD has worked closely with Toyota's Motorsports department on various U.S.-based racing programs including the Indy Racing League (IRL) IndyCar Series, NASCAR Goody's Dash Series, off-road racing, import drag racing, Grand Am sports cars, and the new NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program. Toyota and TRD have produced many noteworthy accomplishments over the past 25 years on the American racing scene. The 2003 Indianapolis 500 victory is the crown jewel in a long line of historic victories for TRD-built Toyota engines. Toyota powered vehicles have also registered wins in the Daytona 24 Hours, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000. The significant race wins go hand-in-hand with manufacturer's championships in IRL, CART, IMSA GTP and GTO, and CORR, SCORE and MTEG off-road competition. In 2003, Toyota made its initial entry into the IRL IndyCar Series and was triumphant in 11 of the season's 16 races, including a one-two finish in the manufacturer's first-ever Indianapolis 500. In addition, Toyota clinched its first IRL IndyCar Series Engine Manufacture's Championship and driver's championship with Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Among Toyota's and TRD's recent accomplishments are driver's championships in the CART series in 2002, NASCAR Goody's Dash Series in 2003, import drag racing (four class championships from 2002 to 2003), and the CORR off road series (seven straight driver's and manufacturer's titles). In its first year of competition Toyota claimed two victories in the ultra-competitive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. |
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