Following a successful 2022 season with six podium finishes, the GT Radial brand has renewed its partnership with Formula DRIFT for another three-year term to provide tires to teams in the PRO Championship. Additionally, GT Radial will remain the Official Tire of the PROSPEC series for up-and-coming drivers for another two years
All drivers will compete on GT Radial Champiro SX2 RS, tires, which are produced at the Giti Tire passenger and light truck tire plant in Richburg, SC, This ultra-high performance tire also excels in street use.
In addition to Jones’ success in Irwindale, three-time Formula DRIFT champion Chris Forsberg achieved three podium finishes in Seattle, Atlanta and Orlando. GT Radial scored first-place finishes in St. Louis with driver Kazuya Taguchi and in New Jersey with driver Travis Reeder. GT Radial finished 2nd in the Tire Cup Standings, a remarkable feat considering that GT Radial returned to Formula DRIFT competition just two years ago, and was competing against brands with longtime drifting experience.
“Formula DRIFT has proven to be an excellent showcase for our ‘American-engineered, American-produced’ Champiro SX2 RS tires, so we are thrilled to renew our partnership,” said GT Radial Motorsports Manager Mike Meeiem. “Team members at our South Carolina plant take great pride in the performance of their tires in the world’s most demanding drifting competition, and they had a lot to cheer about this year.”
The six podium finishes achieved by the Champiro SX2 RS included first place in New Jersey with driver Travis Reeder, first place in St. Louis with Kazuya Taguchi, third place in Irwindale, CA, with Jeff Jones and three podium finishes (Seattle, Atlanta and Orlando) for three-time Formula Drift series champion Chris Forsberg.
In the Formula DRIFT PRO Series, GT Radial clinched second position in the 2022 FD Tire Cup, which awards points to top finishers for each tire brand. After finishing fifth inits first year, GT Radial rose to third last year before securing second at the Final Round of 2022.
“We’re extremely pleased to have GT Radial commit to another three years with the series and continue to support PROSPEC for at least another two,” said Ryan Sage, President of Formula DRIFT. “As we continue to promote the importance of PROSPEC to ensure a strong contingent of qualified drivers are able to be promoted to the FD PRO Championship each year, it’s good to know they’re using some of the best tires available to prepare the drivers for the next step in their careers.”
About GT Radial
The GT Radial brand, manufactured and marketed by Giti Tire, has been sold in the US for more than 25 years. Comprehensive offerings of GT Radial passenger, light truck and commercial truck tires are available across North America through retailers and independent tires dealers. Giti Tire (headquartered in Singapore), which has been inhttps://www.gtradialcommercial.com the tire business since 1951, operates eight manufacturing plants and three technical centers globally, including the passenger/light truck tire plant and technical center in Richburg, SC. Giti Tire (USA) Ltd., based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, is the sales, marketing, and distribution company for GT Radial in North America. For more information on GT Radial, visit https://www.gtradial-us.com, or https://www.gtradialcommercial.com.
About Formula DRIFT
Formula DRIFT is recognized as the leading international drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges the driver’s skill while demanding a great deal from their vehicle in terms of power and strength. Formula DRIFT provides a series for the best professional drifters from around the globe to compete for the coveted title of Formula DRIFT Champion. As the first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting drift fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life, and established itself as the global leader for the sport. For a competition schedule, ticket information, special content and livestream, please visit formulad.com.