FORMULA DRIFT VETERAN KYLE MOHAN JOINS GT RADIAL
Just weeks after announcing its status as an official tire supplier for the 2014 Formula DRIFT series, GT Radial has added a second driver to the team, Kyle Mohan, who will be competing in a turbocharged Mazda RX-8
An eight-year veteran of Formula DRIFT, Mohan joins fellow Mazda driver, rookie Tyler Wolfson, on the GT Radial roster. An independent team based in Signal Hill, CA, Kyle Mohan Racing routinely qualifies in the top of the Formula DRIFT field, making regular appearances in the series’ main event, the top-16 tandem competition. Competing against a field of V8 engines, Mohan’s turbocharged Mazda with its rotary engine regularly delights the fans as it screams around turns howling to nearly 10,000 RPM.
New for the team in 2014 is a three-rotor, 20B power plant which will produce in excess of 800hp. Mohan’s Mazda RX-8, designed and developed with Mohan’s longtime sponsor, Mazdatrix, will run GT Radial Champiro SX2 265/35ZR18 tires on the rear and Champiro HPY 255/35ZR18 tires on the front.
The 32-year-old, who lives in Long Beach, CA, is a three-time winner of the Long Beach Team Drift Challenge. He was also the 2010 Redline Pro Time Attack Drift Class Champion and was invited to the Red Bull World Championship in 2008 where he qualified in the top 10.
“It’s a thrill for me to partner with GT Radial for this year’s Formula DRIFT Pro Championship,” said Mohan. “Everyone at KMR has worked hard over the off-season to rebuild our Mazda RX-8 with a new, three-rotor engine and I can’t wait to see how we perform on our new GT Radials at Long Beach next weekend. We know based on their success around the world that the GT Radial Champiro SX2 is a great drifting tire, and we plan to showcase that in Formula DRIFT.”
The Champiro SX2, introduced recently to North America, was developed for driving enthusiasts who want higher levels of traction, response and driving control in dry and wet conditions. An outstanding performer on the street and the track, the Champiro SX2 has already experienced considerable success in Formula DRIFT Asia, with drivers such as Josh Boettcher from Australia who placed 3rd overall in the 2013 championship.
“Kyle Mohan is a great addition to the GT Radial Formula DRIFT roster,” said Armand Allaire, vice president of marketing for Giti Tire USA, which markets and sells GT Radial tires in North America. “He’s a proven competitor, and like Tyler, will be a great brand ambassador for demonstrating the world-class technology and performance of the GT Radial brand to North American drivers.”
This will be Wolfson’s rookie season in Formula DRIFT following back to back feeder series championship wins on GT Radial tires. The San Diego driver and his GT Radial/SAE Motorsport Mazda RX-7 will compete in the full seven event calendar of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, as well as the four event calendar of the Formula DRIFT Pro2 Series.
Both teams will be ready for the kick-off of the 2014 Formula DRIFT season on April 4-5 at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course.
ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT
Entering its eleventh season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver’s driving ability and vehicle control. Formula DRIFT provides a forum for professional drifters to compete nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the world-wide leader for the Sport. For a competition schedule and ticket information, visit www.formulad.com
