Yakage Town, located in the southwestern part of Okayama Prefecture.
In this historic town that flourished as a post town on the old Sanyo Road, there is a company known both domestically and internationally in the motorsports world, Toda Racing.
Based on the solid technical skills cultivated in the world of automobile racing, in recent years, they have also ventured into businesses outside of motorsports. We covered manufacturing that challenges the world from Yakage Town.
About Toda Racing
Toda Racing was founded in 1971 by the current chairman, Toda Yukio, in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.
Since its founding, the company has upheld the corporate philosophy of "Turning the dreams of cars into reality", developing racing cars and various functional parts for sports cars.
In recent years, based on the technology cultivated in motorsports, they have also challenged fields outside of automobiles.
Founding and Shift to "Manufacturing"
In the early days of the company, they participated in races with their self-developed racing cars while also handling engine repairs as part of their business.
A turning point came in the 1990s.
During the motorsports boom, including F1, that swept across Japan. The then-president (now chairman) foresaw that this boom would eventually subside and proposed a policy to strengthen "manufacturing" under their own brand.
They first started by manufacturing flywheels, which are parts of the engine that improve the performance of automobiles.
After that, they introduced high-performance machine tools and expanded their product lineup to include parts that require high precision, such as pistons and connecting rods inside the engine, establishing their position as a tuning parts manufacturer.
Active Investment in Development Environment
They were among the first in the industry to introduce the 3D design system "CATIA V5", which is essential for the development and design of their products.
CATIA V5
A high-end 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) system developed by Dassault Systèmes in France. It is mainly used in the automotive and aerospace industries.
At the time of its introduction, there were few users in Japan, and they were even asked by sales agents for presentations on how to utilize it.
Additionally, they have also introduced various analysis software used for product evaluation, creating a more robust development environment.
Diversification of Business and Establishment of a Consistent System
As a culmination of the technology they have cultivated, they completed their in-house developed engine (TR-FX01) in 2009.
The announcement of this engine at an exhibition led to recognition of their consistent system from design to assembly, resulting in an increase in inquiries for contract work (design, manufacturing, assembly, inspection) from automobile manufacturers and parts manufacturers.
Currently, they have established a "consistent system" that allows them to handle everything from design, manufacturing, assembly, and inspection to product performance evaluation.
Furthermore, they also design and manufacture "test stands" for evaluating the performance of engines and transmissions, as well as the accompanying software and electrical circuits.
Together with the Community that Nurtured Us
Since its founding, they have actively participated in events within Okayama Prefecture, including Tamashima, which has long been their base.
At the "Tamashima Harbor Festival" held in 2024, they exhibited their self-developed formula machine.
Additionally, they participate in races at the Okayama International Circuit in Mimasaka City and events such as the Maniwa Speed Festival in Maniwa City, competing with their self-maintained formula machines.
They also exhibit every year at the Okayama Technology Exhibition (OTEX) held at Convex Okayama, promoting their technological capabilities.
We spoke with the representative director and president, Toda Kengo, about the past and future of Toda Racing.
Data of Toda Racing Co., Ltd.
| Organization Name | Toda Racing Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of racing engines and parts Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of automotive parts Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of prototype vehicles Research and development of engine combustion efficiency, fuel economy, and low emissions Manufacturing and sales of various test stands Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of in-wheel motors / onboard motors / e-Axles Manufacturing of aircraft parts / manufacturing of industrial machinery |
| Representative Name | Toda Kengo |
| Year Established | 1971 |
| Address | 640-1 Naka, Yakage Town, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-83-1202 |
| Website | Toda Racing |
