GITI ACHIEVES DRIFTING SUCCESS AND HOSTS “DRIFT ALONG” COMMUNITY EVENT
RICHBURG, SC (June 2, 2023) – Drifting was at the forefront for GT Radial recently as the brand scored its 3rd consecutive podium finish in Orlando, followed by the Formula DRIFT drivers bringing their cars and skills to the Giti manufacturing facility in Richburg for the second annual “Drift Along” community event.
Formula DRIFT driver Kazuya Taguchi celebrated his third-place finish on the podium on May 27 at Orlando Speed World in Round 3 of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship. Three Formula DRIFT events so far in 2023, and three podium finishes for GT Radial.
“Kazuya’s third place finish reinforces the respect given to him by an increasing number of drift experts and furthers our momentum in this highly competitive Formula DRIFT season,” said GT Radial Motorsport Manager Mike Meeiem. “We are off to a great start and look forward to Round 4 in New Jersey.”
Two GT Radial drivers stood on the podium at the Formula DRIFT event in Atlanta on May 13. Chris Forsberg, one of the most accomplished drivers in Formula DRIFT history, powered his NOS Energy Drink / GT Radial Nissan Z to a 2nd place finish, while Aurimas Bakchis captured third in his Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S15. Matt Field was awarded a first-place finish in Round 1 on the Streets of Long Beach on April 8.
Soon after the tire smoke cleared in Orlando, the GT Radial drivers and teams headed to Richburg (where the Champiro SX2 RS competition tires are manufactured) for the 2nd annual Drift Along event. On May 30 and 31, the drivers provided exhilarating, heart-pumping rides to special guests and plant employees on a temporary course at the Giti plant. The smiles on the faces of the participants as they climbed out of the passenger seats of the high-powered race cars told it all!
Participating in the Drift Along were approximately 50 local community and government leaders, as well as GT Radial dealers, news media, local high school students enrolled in advanced automotive courses and plant employees whose names were selected in a random drawing. For the guests, the event also included a tour of the lab where GT Radial tires are tested and the high-tech plant facility where they are produced.
“The Drift Along event achieves many important objectives for our company,” Meeiem noted. “For our guests, it gives them a first-hand look at one of the world’s most advanced tire plants and creates a sense of pride that the plant is located right here in Richburg. For employees, it lets them experience and witness how the SX2 RS tires they produce perform at extremely high levels. And, of course, all participants enjoyed a thrill of a lifetime by getting to ride shotgun with some of the sport’s most accomplished drivers. Drift Along will certainly be back by popular demand next year.”
