LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 16, 2013) — High-performance tire marketer Falken Tire Corp. is sporting a new look with its three-car squad for the 2013 Formula Drift season that just kicked off on the streets of Long Beach last weekend.
Led by veteran drifter and 2011 Formula D Champion Daijiro ("Dai") Yoshihara¸ driving the Discount Tire/Falken Tire Nissan 240SX, two of the trio feature a special matte finish over the traditional Falken teal and blue livery, the tire maker said.
Also returning for Falken in the 2013 season is Justin Pawlak, two-time past winner of the Long Beach event, driving his 2013 Falken Tire Ford Mustang, along with Falken veteran Darren McNamara, who debuted his Falken Tire Nissan 240SX on the tight street course.
Jonathan Bradford, Falken Tire's Formula Drift supervisor, called the trio "an awesome threesome of drivers" who will be managed by Scott Dodgion from SPD Metal Works. He is overseeing both Messrs. Yoshihara's and McNamara's Nissans. Falken said 30-year motorsports veteran Rick Lamber, owner of Race Tech Services who is new to the Falken team, will work with Mr. Pawlak and his Mustang.
Falken suspension engineer Mike Kojima also is returning to the team in its quest for a third Formula Drift championship. He will work with John Mueller, who has signed on to handle the suspension engineering for Mr. Pawlak's Mustang.
The tire company considers the Long Beach Grand Prix course its home track since it's just 30 miles from Falken's new corporate offices in Rancho Cucamonga. Prior to the Long Beach event, the company said it is supporting a contingency program this racing season for privateers, giving them a chance to earn "significant cash awards."
"Falken Tire truly enjoys the competitive atmosphere that surrounds Formula Drift and the showcase that comes from holding this event on the streets of Long Beach," said Nick Fousekis, Falken director of motorsports and consumer events. "We know Formula Drift offers our brand one of the most competitive platforms in motorsports relative to demonstrating the strength of our product, particularly the AZENIS RT615K on which our three drivers run, and we certainly appreciate the loyal audience Falken has developed through our many years of involvement in this great sport."
"We look forward to another great start to our season," Mr. Bradford added.
Mr. Yoshihara won the Long Beach race and at this point ranks first in points in the 2013 Formula Drift Pro Championship standings, according to the series' website. Mr. McNamara is fifth and Mr. Pawlak 16th.
The schedule for this year's racing events is on the Formula Drift website.