Wikipedia

TOM'S

For other uses, see Toms (disambiguation).

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]

TOM'S Inc.
IndustryAutomobile tuning & parts manufacturer for street and motorsports
FoundedFebruary 20, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-02-20)
FounderNobuhide Tachi
Headquarters
Setagaya, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Isao Tanimoto
(President and Representative Director)
ProductsAutomobile tuning and racing products
Websiteglobal.tomsracing.co.jp

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.

History

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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]

List of TOM'S complete cars

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TOM'S T020 (MR2) complete car
 
TOM'S Supra 340kmh speedometer

Toyota Blade

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]

Motorsport

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TOM'S JGTC Supra
 
TOM'S SC 430 GT500
 
TOM'S GR Supra GT500
 
TOM'S Super Formula Toyota RI4A

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]

History

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Japanese Formula 3 Championship

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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]

Super GT / JGTC

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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]

24 Hours of LeMans

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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]

All Japan Sports Prototype Championship

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TOM'S raced in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship in Group C, winning a championship in 1992.[2]

Macau Grand Prix

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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]

Japanese Touring Car Championship

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TOM'S won the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1994 with a Toyota Corona E, and in 1997 with a Toyota Chaser.[2]

Super Formula Championship

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "Business Description | Company | TOM'S Global". Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Company History | Company | TOM'S Global". Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  3. ^ "SC50, the Lexus Coupe by TOM'S". Nihon Car.com. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  4. ^ "Tom's套裝避震器 < 汽車知識庫 < 汽車新聞". www.carnews.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  5. ^ "TOM'S SC430 (Wakisaka-Lotterer) Clinch Season Opener". SuperGT.net. 2006-03-19. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
  6. ^ "From Japanese F3 we have the Tom's Team, who should never be underestimated". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  7. ^ "Corporate Vision | Company | TOM'S Global". Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "TOM'S——TOYOTA御用改装品牌--汽车频道-中华网". auto.china.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  9. ^ "Interview | What's TOM'S | TOM'S Global". Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  10. ^ "Volkswagen to buy TOM'S GB factory". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  11. ^ "TOM'S CENTURY | TOM'S COMPLETE CAR". TOM'S COMPLETE CAR | 株式会社トムスのコンプリートカー、認定中古車、カスタムパッケージ. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  12. ^ "TOM'S SURPA｜TOM'S". www.tomsracing.co.jp. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  13. ^ "TOM'S SUPRA TOURER". TOM'S SUPRA TOURER (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  14. ^ "TOM'S LEXUS LC500 Convertible". TOM'S LEXUS LC500 Convertible (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  15. ^ "TOM'S LEXUS GS F prod.Kazuki Nakajima". TOM'S LEXUS GS F prod.Kazuki Nakajima (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  16. ^ "TOM'S LEXUS IS300 | TOM'S COMPLETE CAR". TOM'S COMPLETE CAR | 株式会社トムスのコンプリートカー、認定中古車、カスタムパッケージ. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  17. ^ "TOM'S GR YARIS | TOM'S COMPLETE CAR". TOM'S COMPLETE CAR | 株式会社トムスのコンプリートカー、認定中古車、カスタムパッケージ. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  18. ^ "TOM'S GR86 WIDE BODY". TOM'S GR86 WIDE BODY (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  19. ^ "1997 Toyota Tom's Supra GT500 - Images, Specifications and Information". www.ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  20. ^ "SUPER GT｜レース情報". TOM'S. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  21. ^ "SUPER GT #36". SUPER GT #36 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  22. ^ "2023 AUTOBACS SUPER GT シリーズチャンピオン会見 | SUPER GT OFFICIAL WEBSITE". supergt.net. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  23. ^ "SUPER FORMULA". SUPER FORMULA (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-23.
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