Yakage Town is in southwestern Okayama Prefecture.
In this historic town, which flourished as a post town along the old Sanyo Road, is Toda Racing, a company known in Japan and abroad in the world of motorsports.
Drawing on the solid technical expertise it has cultivated in the world of auto racing, the company has in recent years expanded into businesses beyond motorsports. We visited to learn about manufacturing that takes on the world from Yakage Town.
The information presented here is current as of the article’s publication in March 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Toda Racing
Toda Racing was founded in 1971 in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, by its current chairman, Toda Yukio.
Since its founding, the company has developed racing cars and various functional parts for sports cars under its corporate motto, “Turning dreams about cars into reality.”
In recent years, drawing on technologies cultivated in motorsports, the company has also taken on challenges in fields beyond automobiles.
Founding and the shift to manufacturing
In its early days, the company competed in races with its own racing cars while also undertaking work such as engine repairs.
The turning point came in the 1990s.
It was a time when Japan was swept up in the motorsports boom, led by Formula One. The company’s president at the time (now its chairman) foresaw that the boom would eventually subside and set out a policy to strengthen in-house manufacturing under its own brand.
The company began by manufacturing flywheels, engine components that improve vehicle performance.
The company later introduced high-performance machine tools and expanded its product lineup to include precision components such as pistons and connecting rods for engine interiors. In this way, it established itself as a tuning parts manufacturer.
Proactive investment in the development environment
The company also led the industry in adopting the CATIA V5 3D design system, software essential to developing and designing its products.
CATIA V5
A high-end 3D CAD (computer-aided design) system developed by French company Dassault Systèmes. It is used mainly in the automotive and aerospace industries.
When it was first introduced, few users in Japan were using it, and the company was sometimes asked by sales agencies to give presentations on how to use it.
The company has also established a more comprehensive development environment, including the introduction of various analysis software programs used to evaluate products.
Diversifying the business and building an integrated system
As the culmination of the technologies it had cultivated, the company completed its own engine (TR-FX01) in 2009.
The engine’s unveiling at an exhibition led to recognition of the company’s integrated system, from design through assembly, and inquiries for contract work (design, manufacturing, assembly, and inspection) from automakers and parts manufacturers began to increase.
Today, the company’s strength lies in its “integrated system,” which enables it to handle design, manufacturing, assembly, and inspection, as well as product performance evaluation, in-house.
The company also designs and manufactures in-house the test machines (test stands) used to evaluate engine and transmission performance, along with the associated software and electrical circuits.
Together with the community that helped us grow
Since its founding, the company has actively exhibited at events throughout Okayama Prefecture, including in Tamashima, its longtime base of operations.
At the Tamashima Harbor Festival, held in 2024, the company displayed an actual formula racing car it had developed in-house.
The company also competes in races at Okayama International Circuit in Mimasaka City and takes part in events such as “Maniwa Hayasai,” held in Maniwa City, bringing along its in-house-maintained formula racing cars.
The company also exhibits every year at the Okayama Technology Exhibition (OTEX), held annually at Convex Okayama, to promote its technical capabilities.
We spoke with president and CEO Toda Kengo about Toda Racing’s past and future.
Toda Racing Co., Ltd. Information
| 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 | Toda Kengo |
| Year Established | 1971 |
| Address | 640-1 Naka, Yakage Town, Oda District, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-83-1202 |
| Website | Toda Racing |
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