Dear Sponsors:

Today there is but one driver from Asia competing for a place on the NASCAR Nextel circuit -Takuma Koga of Nagoya, Japan. And while Takuma is not there yet-he’s nearing completion of his first full year on the Grand National Series' West Circuit (see www.nascar.com, Regional Racing)-he's driving hard to make the cut, and NASCAR officials are well aware of it. And so are his fans in Japan. They follow news of his races in sports magazines, see him in his frequent appearances on Japanese TV, and read his commentary on Chevrolets and other popular “Ame-sha” (America Cars) in Japan’s motoring publications.

Nippon TV has bought the rights to show NASCAR races in Japan starting in 2006, and that just might be the year that Takuma’s hard work on the track really pays off. If he places higher in the standings next season (he’s running at 14th place in the West), he might very well be moved up to the top division.

Takuma is now in talks with major sponsors for the 2006 season, and he’s looking for a few small sponsors for his final race of this year, the Grand National Series’ Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway. If you would like to know more about Takuma's future in NASCAR, please send email or call the number below:

scott@sbrauseconsulting.com
310-488-2799

Japanese Racer Chases NASCAR Dream

Takuma Koga, Japan’s only NASCAR driver, has announced that he will compete in a full line-up of events in the NASCAR WEST series in 2005.  The young driver who as a child dreamed of becoming a racer, says: “This is the year I’ve been waiting for.  I’m going to drive hard, and I’m aiming for the top.” 

While most Japanese racers aspire to Rally and Formula 1 events, where Toyotas and Hondas rule, “Tak” (pronounced like “talk”) favors the oval track and the thundering Chevrolets and Fords of NASCAR.  “This is my life,” he says. “I love it.”  

As a boy Tak delivered newspapers to pay for his passion to race.  He began racing go-carts at age 10.  Throughout his teens he did “just about any job you can name, sometimes for less than minimum wage” in order to pursue his dream of racing in America.  Today Tak has a growing legion of Japanese fans, and Japanese corporate sponsors are paying for a chance to put their name on his suit.

Tak’s opening race of 2005, at Phoenix International Raceway, ended soon after it started with a minor crash.  Although disappointed, Tak’s response showed his usual determination:  “I’ll just have to work twice as hard now.”

For the fourth season Koga is driving team Midgley Motorsports’ #9 Chevrolet.  The next NASCAR West event is at Bakersfield’s Mesa Marin Raceway on April 10.

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For further information on Takuma Koga contact:

Koga Fights for All-Star Position

Takuma Koga, Japan’s only NASCAR driver, is fighting to win a place in the season finale All-Star Showdown, a match-up of the top thirty drivers from the West and North series of the NASCAR Grand National Division.

Tak has driven his Midgley Motors Chevy hard throughout the long, hot season, weathering numerous close calls on the track.  Tak’s next races are the West Series 200, at Fontana Raceway on September 2, and the NAPA 200 at Douglas County Speedway, in Roseburg, Oregon, on September 17.  Two more races follow in October, first at Thunder Hill Raceway (Kyle, Texas, October 1) and then at Mesa Marin Raceway (Bakersfield, Ca. October 15.) 

Takuma now stands in 14^th place in total points in the Grand National Division West Series.  The top fifteen racers in total points from the two series will race in the season finale.  The Showdown, sponsored by Toyota, takes place on November 12 at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California. 

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For further information on Takuma Koga contact: