As the 2010 Formula D season opener soon approaches I took a look back at when TEIN USA starting to get involved in the US drifting scene.

For TEIN USA it all started back 2003 when D1 first came to the US with a non-points event. We sponsored a few cars that came over from Japan including the DRFT FD3S, Falken S13, Falken S14 and we even entered our almost stock 350Z street car. Way back then Falken Tire boss, Nick Fousekis, saw the potential in Drifting and put together a small team and TEIN jumped on board as a product sponsor. Over the years TEIN has sponsored a few other teams, entered a few cars of our own but has mainly supported the teal and blue.

TEIN 350Z lined up against DRFT FD3S at the Inaugural US D1GP in 2003. 350Z driven by Murao and DRFT FD3S piloted by Utsumi. The sunken in wheels and skinny tires on the rear of the 350Z were the only way it could keep a decent slide since the only power adders were a K&N intake and Greddy exhaust which still got the car into the top 16.

Koguchi’s Falken sponsored S13.

Back in 2004 Team Rotora had a multi-car team and one of their drivers was a high school student named, Ken Gushi.

TEIN USA’s 2004 US D1GP entry. Driven by Murao and KA Turbo power.

This is JR’s original S13 in the old Falken livery. TEIN has been a proud sponsor of JR since 2004.

TEIN USA’s 2005 D1GP entry. Richard’s S13 aka JDMRice. Driven by “Gui Gui” Murao.

First FF Drift car in the US driven by Hatakeyama and Seigo Yamamoto’s S14.



One of two Falken RX-7s. This one was driven by Seigo Yamamoto and in the background is Hubert Young in the Discount Tire/ Falken S13.

One of the more unique FD entries was the Falken Camaro which one of the first iconic Muscle cars to drift. Driven by Ryan Hampton.

Falken Mustang S197 driven by none other than Vaughn Gittin.

Soon to come is part two.