Plano-based Toyota Motor North America announced that David Wilson, group vice president and president of Toyota Racing Development U.S.A., will retire on Dec. 16 after 35 years with the organization. The company said General Manager Tyler Gibbs will succeed Wilson as president of TRD, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).

Gibbs will assume his new role as TRD President in late December, the company said.

During his long career at TRD, Wilson has held many roles, including design engineer; track support engineer; vice president, operations and engineering; vice president, production and strategic planning; vice president, sales, operations and planning; and vice president, finance, operations and planning. He was appointed to the position of TRD president in January 2014, where he has led Toyota’s U.S. motorsports arm for the past 11 years.

“It’s been such an honor to be a member of this team and work alongside so many dedicated, talented and passionate men and women,” Wilson said in a statement. “I’m humbled and grateful for the trust, support and friendship afforded me throughout my career by my colleagues at TMNA, the Toyota Motor Corporation, our industry and team partners and our athletes. But now, I’ve completed my lap and I’m proud to hand the keys over to my friend and ‘brother in arms,’ Tyler Gibbs. I have every confidence that Tyler and his team will continue to grow and strengthen TRD’s world-class legacy on and off the track.”

Championships and iconic races

Toyota said that Wilson played a significant role in many championships and race wins with Toyota, Lexus, and Toyota Gazoo Racing North America teams and drivers during his 35-year tenure, including championships in CART, CORR, Grand-Am, IMSA, Indy Racing League, MTEG, NASCAR, NHRA, SCORE and USAC.

He also has been a part of many notable victories in iconic races across motorsports, including wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring, Baja 500 and 1000, Rolex 24 at Daytona, Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, Petit Le Mans, Chili Bowl, and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Wilson also played an integral role with the Toyota and TRD leadership team that planned, supported and executed the company’s momentous entries into both CART/INDYCAR and NASCAR, the company said.

Before TRD, Wilson worked at Johnson & Johnson and was an officer in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist’s Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

‘Big shoes to fill’

Toyota said that in his new role, Gibbs will be responsible for all TRD operations and activities in North America, including engine engineering, chassis engineering, manufacturing, administration and operations. He will oversee all TRD facilities, including the organization’s headquarters and engine operations in Costa Mesa, California, the chassis and team support operation in Salisbury, North Carolina, and the GR Garage and Toyota Performance Center in Mooresville, North Carolina.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Gibbs said. “Dave has been the cornerstone of TRD’s growth and culture over the last 35 years. During my 28 years working for Dave, he has given me countless opportunities to learn and grow, and this is another one of those opportunities. I’m excited and grateful for the privilege to work with so many incredible people at TRD and TMNA, along with our many partners, and together we’ll seek to continue TRD’s history of success.”

The company said that Gibbs joined TRD in 1996 and has held various roles during his nearly 30-year tenure with the organization. He currently oversees competition, engineering, commercial, and administration activities at TRD.

He works closely with TMNA and Toyota Racing as well as with race team relationships and key motorsports partners.

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