Toyota's semi-works and aftermarket-tuning specialist Tom's first entered the Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC) in 1994. And starting with 1995, they also entered the GT500 class of the JGTC (Japan Grand Touring Championship) with a Toyota Supra, claiming the series title just two years later in 1997. The following year, Tom's changed the tires of its Supra from Bridgestone to Dunlop, and then in 1999 to Michelin, with whom they already had a relationship with in the JTCC.