Kenda Tire confirms impressive 2025 Formula DRIFT driver roster and signs three-year extension with series

Fredric Aasbo, Ryan Tuerck and Simen Olsen among big names joining Kenda in 2025

Step two for Kenda Motorsports was to announce its expanded 2025 driver roster, which sees several new names join their ranks, including headline acts such as three-time Formula DRIFT PRO Champion Fredric Aasbo (Norway), Papadakis Racing teammate Ryan Tuerck, as well as title challenger Simen Olsen (Norway), Daniel Stuke (USA), and recent PROSPEC graduate Austin Matta (USA).

The newbies will join returning Kenda Motorsports star drivers Ken Gushi (Japan), Jhonnattan Castro (Dominican Replublic), Nick Noback (USA), Jonathan Hurst (USA), and Derek Madison (USA). Undoubtedly, the new line up will create a big impression on the 2025 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, hopefully helping Kenda to advance even higher in the Tire Cup standings.

All drivers will compete on the new Kenda VEZDA UHP MAX+ tires, with most using the 305/35 ZR18 size. The new MAX+ tire replaces the VEZDA UHP MAX, which teams were using in 2023/24 when Kenda joined the series to utilize the hardcore testing grounds for its street-legal tires.

Kenda Tire will showcase the new MAX+ technologies by positioning it as 'Premium Performance at a Value Price.' And for reference, Kenda only competes with its VEZDA UHP products in series that specify DOT-approved tires. This means the benefits of its extreme competition development can be exploited both on public roads and in world-class competitive environments such as Formula DRIFT. Strong performance in open competition has allowed Kenda to demonstrate its 'Podium2Pavement' commitment to its growing audience across the drift community.

In response to the extended relationship, Ryan Sage, President of Formula DRIFT said, 'We're delighted Kenda Tires is leaning into its commitment to the sport of drifting and we can't wait to see what its impressive driver roster is able to do on the new MAX+ tires. The combination of a tire company that has fully embraced drift, along with a tire developed to succeed on the road and track, and an extremely competent driver line-up should result in podiums and genuine title challenges this year.'

NEXT ROUND

The Formula DRIFT PRO Championship kicks off its 2025 season on the Streets of Long Beach on April 4-5. Round 1 of the Link ECU PROSPEC Championship will take place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on May 8-10 along with Round 2 of FD PRO. Please visit formulad.com for ticket information, driver profiles, special content, and the event livestream.

ABOUT KENDA TIRE

Founded in 1962, Kenda Tire is a global leader in tire and wheel manufacturing with market presence in multiple industries, including automotive and light truck, bicycle, motorcycles, ATV, RV, industrial, golf, and more. With more than 12000 employees globally, Kenda Tire prides itself as an organization where quality, honesty, innovation, and customer service are core values. kendatire.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

WATCH FORMULA DRIFT

The series livestream is available at youtube.com/Formuladrift and on MAV TV (please check your local provider)

Photo credit: Formula DRIFT
posted on conceptcarz.com

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