Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Extends Title Sponsorship Agreement for Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Aug. 3, 2005--The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC announced today that it has reached a five-year agreement with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. and the Southern California Toyota Dealers Association to continue as the title sponsor of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The extension of the previous Grand Prix title sponsorship arrangement ensures that Toyota's 31-year relationship with America's premier street race will continue through 2010. Toyota has been title sponsor of the event since 1980.

"Toyota is proud to continue our relationship with one of America's premier motorsports events," said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. "The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is believed to be the longest running motorsports title sponsorship in this country, and we are enthusiastic to continue to be a part of such a great event."

The centerpiece of the 2006 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is the Champ Car World Series, which has been featured since 1984. The race weekend will also present the 30th anniversary running of the ever-popular Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, pitting Hollywood celebrities and sports stars against professional drivers in identically-prepared Toyota vehicles.

"We are absolutely thrilled to continue our relationship with Toyota Motor Sales and the Southern California Toyota Dealers Association," said Jim Michaelian, CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. "They have been an extraordinary partner in our event from the very beginning, and we look forward to extending this relationship to new heights in the coming years."

"We are proud to have a company like Toyota, with its rich history and tradition in motorsports, continue as title sponsor of our cornerstone event," said Kevin Kalkhoven, co-owner of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC. "Their involvement ensures that the event will continue to grow in the future."

In addition to its 31-year sponsor relationship with the Grand Prix, Toyota has a long-standing association with the City of Long Beach. Toyota owns Airflite Aviation Services, a full service, private jet fixed base operation (FBO) facility at the Long Beach Airport, and TABC, Inc. In addition, the Port of Long Beach is utilized extensively by the company, bringing in over 350,000 vehicles each year. Toyota is also involved in a number of philanthropic activities in the city, including, but not limited to the support of the Long Beach Museum of Art, California State University Long Beach Foundation, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach Public Library, Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Symphony. Last year, Toyota was title sponsor of the Aquatics Festival which included the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is owned and operated by Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC, and features the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford, Formula Drift, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, the Champ Car Atlantic Series and other support events during its three-day race weekend.