TAKAYUKI KINOSHITA

Takayuki Kinoshita is a highly experienced Japanese racing driver, author, and automotive journalist. Born on May 5, 1960, Kinoshita has competed in various racing series throughout his career, demonstrating versatility and skill on both national and international stages. He is affiliated with Toyota Motorsport's GAZOO Racing, achieving significant success with the team.

Kinoshita's most notable achievements include multiple class wins at the 24 Hours Nürburgring. He secured SP8 class victories in 2010, 2012, and 2014 driving the Lexus LFA, and also won the A8 class in 2004 behind the wheel of a Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) for Falken Motorsports. He holds the distinction of being among the Japanese drivers with the most appearances at the challenging Nürburgring 24 Hours race. Beyond the Nürburgring, Kinoshita has participated in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC), Japanese Formula Three, and Super Taikyu N1 Endurance Series, showcasing his adaptability across different racing disciplines.

Outside of racing, Kinoshita is a respected figure in the automotive world. He is a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Japan and serves on the selection committee for Car of the Year Japan. He also shared his insights as a presenter on the popular Japanese Best Motoring TV series. In January 2023, Kinoshita was appointed as the Brand Ambassador of PROXES, TOYO TIRES flagship tire brand.