GT Radial Scores Many Highlights in the 2024 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship
GT Radial came up just short in defending the 2023 Tire Cup in the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship but experienced many highlights in the 2024 season.
The season concluded on Oct. 19 at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, with GT Radial in second place among the six competing tire brands; close to first place and well above third place.
GT Radial achieved a total of seven podium finishes in the 2024 season, and GT Radial driver Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis claimed second place in the Driver’s Cup Final Standings. Bakchis fought hard to claim his first FD PRO Championship, but he was robbed on an Irwindale podium after his team was unable to repair the Feal Suspension/GT Radial Nissan S15 following a heavy collision with another driver in the Top 8 heats. He also suffered a serious fire during Round 2 in Atlanta, followed by engine failure, which compromised his mid-season form. Nevertheless, Bakchis enjoyed a brilliant campaign in 2024 with a first-place finish in Round 7 in Utah and third place in Long Beach.
Another season highlight was 14-year-old sensation Hiroya Minowa capturing the 2024 FD Rookie of the Year race on GT Radial tires. Minowa made racing history in St. Louis when he became the youngest driver in Formula DRIFT history to stand on the podium. Minowa and his Enjuku Racing / Cusco / Yellowspeed Racing Toyota GT86 team followed that with another second-place finish in Seattle. He ended the season in fourth place in the Driver’s Cup Standings.
“We knew Hiroya was going to be special, but he has amazed everyone with an outstanding season, including two podiums,” said GT Radial Motorsports Manager Mike Meeiem. “We are thrilled that he is competing on GT Radial tires.”
GT Radial tires were also part of history when driver Amanda Sorensen became the first female driver to ever stand on a Formula DRIFT podium. She came in second place in the Formula DRIFT PROSPEC Championship Round 2 – all drivers in this series compete on GT Radial Champiro SX2 RS tires. This series serves as a training ground for competing in the FD PRO Championship.
GT Radial began defense of its 2023 Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship on April 13 with a double podium finish in Long Beach, CA. Joining Simen Olsen on the podium was Bakchis who finished third. Olsen followed that up with another second-place finish in Atlanta on May 11.
“We fell just short of achieving our main goal of winning the Tire Cup, but it was an outstanding season for GT Radial and our drivers,” Meeiem said. “The competition was fierce, but everyone, including our team members at the Richburg plant, can be proud of our effort and the many successes achieved throughout the season. We look forward to competing again in 2025.”
