Toyota Moves Amateur Motocross Rider Forward With Sponsorship

Toyota Announces Selected TMX Rider

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 7 -- The Toyota TMX Athlete Program has announced today that Sean Hackley, 17, was selected to move to the pros with a Toyota sponsorship and a ride on the Motoworld Racing PPG Yamaha Team as well as a new Toyota Tacoma. The inaugural TMX Athlete Program supports amateur motocross riders by providing them with an opportunity to receive a full sponsorship with a major manufacturer in addition to integral training and exposure to help them move forward to the pros.

"Toyota created the TMX Athlete Program as a new way to move talented riders forward from the amateur ranks to the pros and it has been an exciting journey," said Doug Frisbie, Engagement Marketing Manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We are excited to have Sean Hackley join the Toyota family and are already looking forward to the TMX program's second year and Hackley's racing in 2007."

Sean Hackley hails from Ovilla, Texas and raced for 12 years before being selected as the Toyota TMX athlete for 2007. The TMX program is open to all riders racing in AMA-sanctioned amateur events across the country. From all entries, contestants are pared down to 20 riders, "The Toyota 20," who are evaluated at the AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn's. Sean Hackley was selected from these top 20 riders and will receive a sponsorship with Motoworld Racing PPG Yamaha Team and Toyota, a new Toyota Tacoma, a personal trainer, media training and participation in Toyota-related events among other activities.

"It is so exciting to be the first rider selected for Toyota's TMX Athlete Program at Loretta Lynn's," said Sean Hackley. "This weekend had its ups and downs, but Saturday was awesome with my win in the 250 Open A final moto and signing with Toyota and Motoworld Racing PPG Yamaha. It's a great opportunity and I can't wait to get started!"

Toyota is already gathering entries for the 2007 program at www.toyotacross.com.

ABOUT TOYOTA

Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates ten manufacturing plants including one under construction. There are more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sell more than 2 million vehicles a year. Toyota directly employs over 32,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $13 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

  Media Contact:
  Elizabeth Perry
  GolinHarris for Toyota
  213-438-8792
  eperry@golinharris.com