Racing career Tachi was born in
Suzuka,
Japan.
Kenji Mimura, the founder of
Maki, has been his friend since their high school years. Originally, Tachi did not like automobiles because he would become
carsick. But the influence of his friend led him to automobile racing. Tachi began car racing in 1965 and became a factory-driver for
Toyota from 1971. The name of "TOM'S" is an abbreviation of "
Tachi", "
Oiwa", and "
Motor
Sports". He continued his career as a racing driver until 1982. ==References==