Jun 10, 2019
Toyo Tires Increases Presence at the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
CYPRESS, CA – Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires) returns to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the third year with more racing partnerships and more branding on the mountain. The race on Sunday, June 30, is the 97th running of this prestigious international event that sends vehicles charging up the 156-turn 12.42-mile road to the 14,115-ft. summit. Toyo Tires is supporting four teams with multiple vehicles this year; has significant branding at the starting line and along the race route; and returns as co-presenting sponsor of Fan Fest.
Returning with Toyo Tires for 2019 is Flying Lizard Motorsports and the mountain’s winningest driver, Clint Vahsholtz. Vahsholtz will be racing a McLaren 650S GT3 running Toyo Proxes Slicks in the Time Attack 1 Class. Last year, the team made its debut at Pikes Peak with Vahsholtz performing the driving duties and scored a second in class using a McLaren 12C GT3.
“We are very appreciative of Toyo Tires and their commitment to this program, said Flying Lizard Program Manager Darren Law. “We have been working with them for many years now on multiple programs, they produce an amazing racing slick that is perfect in these conditions and we can’t wait to go for the top step of the podium this year.”
A new team partnering with Toyo Tires this year is Wesley Motorsports with its 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. It brings supercharged American muscle to the mountain and is sure to thrill spectators with its big V8 sounds. Team principal Kevin Wesley will pilot the car in the Time Attack 1 Class using Toyo Proxes Slicks.
“The Mountain has called to us once again and we are prepared to answer with the amazing new levels of grip offered by our Toyo Proxes Slicks,” said Kevin Wesley of Wesley Motorsports. “Our Hellcat Redeye is making borderline insane power and the grip from the Toyo's allows us to put that horsepower to the pavement.”
In the Time Attack 1 Class, the 465-hp TYSPEED 2017 BMW F87 M2 Club Racer will be piloted by owner/builder Tyler Pappas on Toyo Proxes RR competition tires.
Also returning on Toyo Proxes Slicks in the Exhibition Class is a crowd favorite, the 1949 ‘Old Smokey’ Ford F1 pickup powered by a 1,200-hp Cummins diesel engine. Piloted by Scott Birdsall from Chuckle’s Garage, the truck has become legendary for both its vintage appearance and turbocharged performance.
“We are excited to return with Flying Lizard Motorsports, along with new partners such as Wesley Motorsports and TYSPEED,” said Marc Sanzenbacher, senior manager, motorsports, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Pikes Peak is the ultimate proving ground for tires and our Proxes tires are up for the challenge.”
Race weekend kicks off Friday, June 28, with Fan Fest presented by Budweiser® and Toyo Tires. Located in downtown Colorado Springs, Fan Fest runs from 5 – 10pm with the annual Fire Fighter Chili Cook-Off, entertainment, and street displays. Toyo Tires will have an all new larger booth space and select drivers signing autographs for the fans.
For more information about the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and its activities including Fan Fest, visit ppihc.org.
To learn more about the full line of Toyo tires to fit your lifestyle, log on to toyotires.com.
About Toyo Tires®
Established in 1966, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. represents the innovation, quality, performance, and excellent service that Toyo Tires has delivered worldwide for more than 70 years. The company offers a full line of premium tires for nearly every vehicle including light trucks, SUVs, crossovers, sports cars, luxury cars and hybrids as well as commercial trucks. Many of the tires are built in the United States at their state-of-the-art factory in Georgia. To find the right tire for your vehicle as well as an authorized dealer, visit www.toyotires.com. You can also join the Toyo Tires community on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
