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In a thrill packed event at Suzuku this weekend, Team Toyo Tires Drift Driver, Akinori Utsumi in his Nissan Silvia S15 finished on the podium in 3rd place.

The Podium was made up of winner, Team Orange's  Naoto Suenaga driving a Nissan Silvia S15, runner up Daigo Saito in his Toyota Mark Ⅱ with Team Toyo's Utsumi taking the final step.

It was a tough day for Masato Kawabata who finished in the top 16 but didnt make the final. However, despite this setback, Kawabata is still ranked No.1 in Tanso series ranking and 4th overall.

Sakuma Tatsuya in his Nissan Silvia S15 also finished in the best 16 while both Yoshihumi Tadokoro and Seimi Tanaka failed to qualify in the tryout in Suzuka.

However, when the series hits Ebisu in August, Tadokoro joins Utsumi, Kawabata and Sakuma in being exempted from the tryout  going straight into the main competition.

Current Rankings after Round 2 of the 2013 D1GP
                   Total Points Ranking    Points Ranking for Solo race (Tanso)
Masato Kawabata：  4th                        1st
Tatsuya Sakuma：  12th                         4th
Akinori Utsumi：       9th                       11th
Yosihumi Tadokoro: 15th                       16th
Seimi Tanaka：       27th                       25th

The first four of the five Team Toyo Tires drivers above have prequalified for Ebisu Circuit.

Before the race commences, thousands of visitors will visit Toyo Tires booth to meet the drivers, talk to the Toyo girls and win prizes. This means an early start for the team to set up the booth and podium ready for the crowds.

Its the same story in the Pit Lane where in organised sessions before the battle commences, Toyo Tires drivers are overwhelmed by polite crowds queing to get an autograph.

Crowds too surround the Toyo Booth where interviews with all the top Team Toyo Tires drivers take place. The audience can hear from the drivers themselves about the issues they have had setting up the cars for the weekend and their thoughts about the battles to come and the tactics they will need to employ. 

Another popular part of the show is the Toyo giveaway where Toyo Girls give members of the audience a range of D1GP merchandise including T-Shirts, caps and towels. Hosted on the main stage of the D1GP organisers, it generates a massive crowd all eager to win the goodies.