Hubbry Logo
D1 Grand PrixD1 Grand PrixMain
Open search
D1 Grand Prix
Community hub
D1 Grand Prix
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
D1 Grand Prix
D1 Grand Prix
D1 Grand Prix
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The D1 Grand Prix (Japanese: D1グランプリ, Hepburn: D1 guranpuri), abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled Professional Drift, is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Daijiro Inada [ja], founder of Option magazine and Tokyo Auto Salon, and drifting legend, Keiichi Tsuchiya hosted a professional level drifting contest in 1999 and 2000 to feed on the ever increasing skills of drifting drivers who were dominating drifting contests in various parts of Japan. In October 2000, they reformed the contest as a five-round series. In the following year for the following round, the introduction of the two car tsuiou battle, run in a single-elimination tournament format, a common tradition for tōge races which became popular with car enthusiasts.

Key Information

Since then, the series has spread from the United States to United Kingdom and Malaysia to New Zealand with an ever increasing fanbase all over the world.[citation needed] The series has become a benchmark for all drifting series as its tsuisou format became widely adopted in drifting events throughout the world and is the most highly regarded of all series.[citation needed] The series helped to turn not just its personnel but also many of its drivers into celebrities with appearances in TV shows and car magazines all over the world along with scale models and video game appearances for their cars. It was credited for the increase several-fold in tuning businesses specialising in drift set-ups.[citation needed]

History

[edit]
D1 Grand Prix Sponsor Box for the 2006 season

The art of drifting can be traced to the early days of motorsport when pre-war Grand Prix and dirt track racing drivers such as Tazio Nuvolari used an at-the-limit form of driving called the four-wheel drift.

The bias ply racing tires of the 1960s-1980s lent themselves to driving styles with a high slip angle. As professional racers in Japan drove this way, so did the street racers.

As street tōge racing became increasingly common, one of the first drifting contests was hosted by the Japanese Carboy magazine in 1986 and then in 1989, the year after the first introduction of the Video Option series Daijiro Inada (稲田大二郎) decided on introducing a rival drifting event which was judged by Keiichi Tsuchiya known as the Ikaten. Through the years, the standards of drifting drivers has risen rapidly and drivers began to dominate the series. As a result, Inada decided on a new series to accommodate the more experienced and skilled drivers. In 2000, a new series called All Japan Professional Drift Championship (全日本プロドリフト選手権, Zen Nihon Puro Dorifuto Sensyuken) consisting of Keiichi Tsuchiya (土屋圭市) and Manabu Orido (織戸 学) as judges, and Manabu Suzuki (鈴木 学) as commentator. Other personnel consisted of Kitahara, as the tech inspector, and Takayasu Ozaku (more commonly known as Zaku the perverted cameraman) as the series' long serving cameraman. Racing driver Tarzan Yamada made appearances in earlier rounds and Inada himself would usually make guest appearances in the opening ceremony and judging stand.

The first ever event was at Ebisu Circuit in Fukushima, Japan, in October 2000 with an entry of forty and a crowd of three thousand. Drivers were judged individually and were treated as the first round of the 2001 season, shortly renamed as D1 Grand Prix. From round two onward, the series took a different turn. Unlike drift events which judged the cars individually each round then eliminating the rest, the series introduced the one-to-one round battle called the tsuiso (twin run) round which has been the tradition for Tōge races and has since been adopted for drifting events all over the world. Aftermarket parts manufacturers BLITZ, HKS and A'PEXi soon began to get involved by sponsoring drivers entering the competition.

In 2002, the number of cars competing in the tsuiou rounds was reduced from ten to eight, and was reduced to 6 by round two, as the second tansou rounds increased to twelve. That was increased to sixteen by round four which stands to this day.

The series remained domestic until 2003 when an exhibition round was hostedin Southern California at Irwindale Speedway, produced by American marketing company, Slipstream Global. That same year, Grassroots Motorsports also presented the D1 Grand Prix with the Editors' Choice Award.[1] Slipstream Global would later create the Formula Drift Championship in 2004. With a sellout crowd of ten thousand, which broke the record for the venue and the series, this venue became the series' opening round in 2004. The California round saw the introduction of the English speaking commentator Toshi Hayama, who also dealt with the organisation of the non-Japanese events.

That year also saw the car accessories store Autobacs as the title sponsor, and brought the first non-circuit event at Odaiba in Japan in January 2004, held in a Fuji Television car park. It also later ran as a championship round. In December 2004, the D1GP was held in the infield road circuit of the California Speedway in Fontana, California, as a non-championship US vs. Japan event, running alongside the JGTC race as part of the non-championship GT Live event. Manabu Orido resigned as a judge at the end of the season to become a driver.

The other regular staff for the 2005 season were D1 girls Kazumi Kondo (近藤和美) and Hatsuno Sugaya (菅谷はつ乃) who previously had careers as JGTC race queens. For the 2006 season, Hatsuno was replaced by Jyuri Tamashiro (玉城珠里).

As the series has always been Japanese dominated with few non-Japanese making it to the best 16, in the first round of the 2005 season, after narrowly beating Masato Kawabata who spun during their tsuiso round battle, Rhys Millen became the first non-Japanese driver to advance to the best 8 round. He lost to Yasuyuki Kazama after a sudden death tsuiso battle. That year saw the introduction of the D1 Street Legal category which was unveiled at the Odaiba round, for cars which are built to be driven on the road.

The series' only guest commentator was the TV presenter, singer, Super GT driver and amateur drifter Hiromi Kozono (ヒロミ; real kanji name 小園 浩巳) who guest commentated at the 2005 Odaiba Allstar event.

In October 2005, the D1GP ventured to Europe with an exhibition round at Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK. This event provided an upset, as after putting on a good performance in the first run, the Irishman Darren McNamara advanced to the best 8 round after overtaking the series regular Hiroshi Fukuda on the first run. Like Rhys Millen in the first round, McNamara fell victim to Kazama after losing four to six then tying in the other round. With a crowd attendance of five thousand, in the following year the D1GP ran its own national series in the UK.

At the non-championship D1 USA vs Japan Allstar Exhibition at Irwindale Speedway in December 2005, the series had its first non-Japanese winner for both car and driver: Vaughn Gittin Jr. with his Ford Mustang GT. At the following season opener in March 2006, Samuel Hübinette with his Dodge Viper SRT/10 took things further by making it into the best 8 by beating Gittin in a sudden death tsuiso battle, Hubinette made it to the semi-final when he defeated Takahiro Ueno, only to be beaten by Nobushige Kumakubo in his Subaru Impreza GDB. Kumakubo went on into the finals to be beaten by Yasuyuki Kazama, who won his third successive first round championship event.

In 2006, the D1GP ventured into the highly lucrative Asian market by hosting a feeder series in Malaysia, as well as in New Zealand, both of which are currently[when?] only running a drivers' search event, which gives the drivers who do well in any of the national series a chance to compete at the final non-championship event held in Irwindale in addition to the final round which only the three UK series drivers was invited by Tsuchiya, who was impressed by their skills during the UK exhibition event. McNamara, the only of the three drivers to qualify in the points-scoring final round and to enter with his own car, finished in the last 8 in both events, only to lose to Nomura in both through a sudden death match. As that was the only year to have a franchise in the UK, McNamara would compete in the US series.

Yoshinori Koguchi drifting the Koguchi Power 180SX at D1GP Fuji Speedway 2007

In 2007, the former D1GP driver, Hisashi Kamimoto retired from driving to join as judge.[2] The D1 Gals of 2006 was replaced by the "D1 Sisters" who were audition winners and representative of the agency D-Sign, consisting of Hiromi Goto, Yuria Tachiki, Asami Kikuchi and Ayaka Tashiro.[3]

Since the series began, Video Option has always covered all of the official D1GP events. Its English language sister title JDM Option, which was established in 2004, also covers the events. In 2007, the sports channel, J Sports ESPN began screening highlights of the series with Suzuki and Nomura as presenters, with the D1 Sisters making guest appearances.

For the 2009 season, the US arm underwent a new management team to kickstart a new domestic series[4] Tsuchiya, who was also on the executive board, stepped down when the organization went under new management.[5]

In December 2010, Keiichi Tsuchiya and Daijiro Inada both decided to resign from D1GP due to consistent irresponsible management.[6]

The following year saw the first time D1GP will continue without Tsuchiya nor Inada, Hisashi Kamimoto who was part of the judge is promoted to chief judge and assisted by Akira Iida, Shinichi Yamaji, Eiji Yamada and Ryusuke Kawasaki, the Tanso Champions is awarded for the driver with the best Solo run driver and Tanso Winner is awarded for the best qualifier for each round. In the same year Youichi Imamura winning his 4th and last title making him driver with the most D1GP title.

2014 saw the ban on nitrous oxide, a gas commonly seen to add power to engines in motorsport, causing teams to use larger turbochargers or displacement engines.

Since 2018 D1GP has streamed all of its round and its feeder series D1 Lights from YouTube for free with Japanese and English language stream on their official channel D1GP MOVIE CHANNEL.

In 2022 D1 Grand Prix started the "Next 10 Years" Project in order to develop an appeal for D1 for the upcoming 10 years by creating a competition that could be enjoyed even more and make an environment which makes it easier for the teams and drivers to compete in the competition and at the same time creating new standards for safety and fairness and competition.[7]

Road to D1

[edit]
A Toyota Corolla Levin AE86 adorning an official D1GP sunvisor during a practice run

Usually, drivers in Japan have to make it to the top of the championship table in one of four major national drifting series':

  • Advan Drift Meeting
  • A'PEX Cup
  • ORC Drift Championship
  • BN Sports D1 Drift Championship

Outside Japan, drivers have to enter a Driver Search. Once they have qualified, they receive a D1 License, which enables them to enter the qualifying rounds and the newly introduced national series, plus the exhibition events that they are invited to.

In a championship event, usually entries are restricted to one hundred cars. Each car gets an allocation of three individual tansou (solo run) qualifying runs: only the best one counts. At the end of the day, the top twenty qualifiers join the ten seeded cars who are determined by the top ten on the D1GP championship tables. The seeded drivers are usually a red background on their number to identify them.

On race day, after two sets of practice runs are done through, competitors will go through a starting ceremony which they will be introduced to the crowds and then a driver will be rounded up in group of fours and be given a set of three qualifying runs to make it into the best 16 tsuiso (twin run) round battles, which involves two cars drifting simultaneously. The Tansou groups would be given, Priority A, B and C. "A" indicates seeded drivers and "C" indicates as qualifiers. The Tansou rounds always starts with the series leader and then goes through to the last driver with the highest number, which usually indicates that he is a qualifier. At the end of the drivers three rounds, only the best run counts and on each run, they are judged with an assistance of a DriftBox, which determines angle, keeping to the correct racing line and speed. That will be given a score up to a maximum of 100.0, should a driver score that point, he will be given a bonus score of 1 point which will be added to his score they accumulates during the tsuiou round.

At the end when all drivers are judged, the judges picks the sixteen drivers for the tsuiou round, the highest scoring driver will be paired up against the sixteenth highest scorer, the second highest will be paired against the fifteenth highest and so on. Between this and the following tsuiou round, there is a pit walk session at the paddock area for spectators, usually off-limits to them, where they can get close to the D1 personnel, drivers and cars. This usually lasts up to an hour which the crowds disembark back to the crowd area ready for the tsuiou round.

During a tsuiso round battle, one car follows another through the course, attempting to keep up with or even pass the car in front. It does not matter if the drifting line is wrong: it matters who has the most exciting drift. Normally, the leading car usually produces a maximum angle drift, but still closes off the inside line to prevent passing. The chasing car usually drifts with less angle, but very close to the lead car. However, the chasing car does not even have to keep up. In fact, in some cases, if a car that was left behind on the straight manages produces a beautiful drift, it could win that round. A spin, under-steer, or collision, results in a disqualification and a zero score for the offending party in that battle.

At the final round, the two finalists will be gathered in front of the judging stand, which they park up together and stand by their car to be formally addressed by the judges, the driver would return to the starting line to continue with their last sets of tsuiou rounds. Until 2004, there was a third place playoff for the losing semi finalists, which has been dropped. Should there be no sudden death rounds being called up, the finalists would return in front of the judging area with the losing drivers, who would return from the starting line; where the winner's name will be called up be the lead judge, which a large trophy and bottle of champagne will be presented to them by the D1 Gals. A cheque would usually be presented to the top 3 drivers, the winner's cheque is usually worth ¥1million or $5000 in US events. After the name is announced, in some event, the driver would be given a toss-up by competitors, a common tradition in some sports and usually the spectators will be invited onto the track.

Each D1 Licence is valid for an entire season. Drivers who finish in the top 16 of points will retain their licence for the next year. Drivers who finish below are relegated and must attempt to qualify for a licence at a qualifying school (such as Driver Search or a national drifting series).

Typical D1GP vehicle regulations

[edit]

Considering the fact that the D1GP is a series geared towards production cars only, there are a number of different race regulations that the vehicle must undergo in order to be eligible to compete. They are:

  • Only rear wheel drive is permitted. The vehicle must be a standard production, road-going model from a major vehicle manufacturer. It may also be converted from front-wheel drive, or all wheel drive.
    • Vehicles constructed by a vehicle manufacturer solely for the purpose of racing are prohibited.
  • The vehicle must retain the original chassis/body—only stock body constructed from a vehicle manufacturer is allowed.
    • No tube frame vehicles or tube frame chassis extensions are permissible unless part of the OEM structure
    • Space frame chassis are not permitted, additional triangulation and bracing of suspension turret/mounting points is allowed so long as the car vehicle contains its original monocoque chassis.
    • Vehicles must retain their original VIN in its OEM position as well as the OEM chassis plate where applicable -- VIN must not be altered, clearly visible and readable.
    • Convertible vehicles must have a hard top installed and a roll cage which will be effective in the event of a vehicle rolling onto its roof. The hard top must be securely fastened to the body.
    • The vehicles appearance must be similar to that of the original vehicle.
  • Semi-Slick Tires/DOT-R Compounds (S-Tires) were prohibited after the first season as they are not road legal, after Nobuteru Taniguchi used them to win the championship in 2001. The series now only permits commercially available road tires approved by the organization.
  • Catalytic converters must be installed to keep the vehicle to the maximum noise limit at race circuits.

In the past, Drivers’ Search rules were more lenient to that of the championship rules until 2005, which the same rules apply to this day.

[edit]

As the D1GP category was moving away from its grassroots during the earlier days, and budgets and development costs were getting higher, the organisers introduced the D1 Street Legal (D1ストリートリーガル (D1 sutoriito riigaru in katakana), as D1SL) category at the Odaiba round in 2005 for road driven cars which were different from the main category as they are trailer driven between races.

Being a budget series, this meant that there is tighter restrictions on how a car can be modified. For example, the car must have a working car stereo system and must have the original engine which it was originally supplied with. Also there is no wide body extension and wings must be within the width of the car. The car must also retain many of its original features, especially dashboard, doors, etc. which sometimes can be replaced/removed/modified in the D1GP category. In all the car has to prove its road-worthiness by its entrant providing a shaken certificate.

Initially, the new series was treated to two exhibition rounds in 2005, and was given a full seven round the following year. Although the series is geared towards novice drifters, it also attracts D1GP star drivers including the Suenaga brothers, Masao and Naoto, many of its former D1GP regulars, and fan-favourites like Ken Nomura.

In 2006, the organisers started a divisional series called D1SL Divisional Series which does not require a D1 License and is broken up in four regions: north, south, east, and west, with rounds that consist of 3 to 4 events in each region and a point scoring system that is the same as the other series'. The winner of the series at the end is awarded a D1 License.

In 2017, the organisers announced the end of the D1 Street Legal series, being replaced by the D1 Lights series from 2018 onwards.[8]

[edit]

Although the items that are prohibited in D1GP also applies in D1SL, additional prohibited items in D1SL cars include:

  • Sequential transmission.
  • Fuel cells.
  • Carbon/beamless/FRP door replacements, must be OEM doors with side impact bars intact if possible.
  • Airjacks.
  • Tubbed fenders/one-off metal body components, must be one that is available to the public.
  • Custom/standalone relay/fuse switchboxes.
  • Acrylic glass/polycarbonate window inserts and replacements, must be OEM glass.
  • complete dash replacement parts, must be stock.

Other restrictions in the category are that:

  • Spoilers must stay within the width of the vehicle.
  • Brakes must be stock dimensions; no swaps from other models of same make are allowed.
  • Vehicles must retain OEM parts (ac/navigation/heater)
  • A functioning car audio system must be in place.
  • A 6-point roll cage with 4-point harness must be in place (same as that of D1GP).
  • Restriction of engine swaps from other model into other model, as S15 Silvia Spec-S to Spec-R specification (SR20DE→SR20DET) may be permitted but a RB26DETT into an HR32 Skyline GTS-t is not unless the model is a BNR32, nor even is converting an AE85 to AE86 is permitted. Engines from other manufacturer's car (e.g. Darren McNamara's 13B-REW powered AE86) are not permitted as well. A bolt on turbocharger or supercharger is permitted, the engine in the car can be determined by the VIN plate

D1 Lights

[edit]

D1 Lights replaced D1 Street Legal from 2018 onwards, unlike D1 Street Legal the car now must be a competition only car and no longer street registered. This were implemented to help better bridge the gap between D1 Grand Prix and its feeder series.

The safety of the series is also increased after a spotter was fatally struck by a wheel that came loose during a practice session in the final round of 2016 D1 Street Legal.[9] This accident led to the round being completely cancelled and the D1 Street Legal not continuing in 2017.

The series kicked off with a pre-season event at Nikko Circuit, followed by the first round at Maze Circuit. Daisuke Saito became the first winner of D1 Lights, the first series champion was Junya Ishikawa who graduated to D1GP the following year, while Naoki Nakamura who won twice regained his D1GP license and also graduated to D1GP.

In 2019 for the first time D1GP and D1 Lights were held in the same venue during same weekend at Autopolis, which was the final round for both series. The same would happen again twice in the following year, with the season opener and in Ebisu West.

D1 Lights initially live streamed on D1GP Movie Channel but moved to Video Option's YouTube channel in 2023.

On final two round of 2024 season, D1 Lights experimented with Top 24 tournament last seen in 2014 D1GP season and targeted to be use from 2025 and beyond.[10]

As of 2024, all D1 Lights champion had graduated to D1 Grand Prix with 2024 season had all previous Lights champion up to 2023 competed in the series which was not seen with D1 Street Legal.

D1 National Series

[edit]

During the 2005 exhibition event at Silverstone, a domestic series was announced with a plan to run the UK round as part of the world series for the following year, though plans for a point scoring round at that location never materialised. The series took over where the Autoglym Drift Championship left off, which was formerly run by the OPT Drift Club, an offshoot of a tuning business called Option Motorsport. The club held a championship in 2002 called D1UK (the previous moniker), though not related to the magazine, for the 2004 season, the business was forced to drop the Option and D1 name for legal reasons.

The difference between the Autoglym series, which was sponsored by the car care product manufacturer, and the D1GB is that the former had a separate championship for beginners called Clubmans which was run in a tansou (solo run) format only and did not require the common safety amenities (e.g. rollcages), and the latter is a main championship for experienced drivers which consists of the usual tsuiso (twin run) rounds. The other difference is, D1 regulation is more stringent on car modifications. The club was since absorbed into the D1 franchise as a national series.

The GB series, was followed by a Malaysia series (D1MY), though the series and drivers' search began earlier than its UK counterpart due to the difference in climate with its first round in March, compared with the UK series in May. The MY series tends to have the privilege of having Tsuchiya to judge the rounds, whereas the UK series only had Dorikin and Manabu Suzuki as judges in Round 2, on the weekend of the D1GP exhibition event. The New Zealand series are currently run as a drivers' search rounds, which awards a D1 License to the winners and allow the top four to compete in the world exhibition event in the US in December.

At the end of the season, the series went through a major technical hitch as the D1 organisation refused to foot the fee to import the top 5 cars to Irwindale as promised, therefore the organizers of the D1GB dissolved its association with the D1 organisation[11] and formed the European Drift Championship (EDC) which uses the same rule as the series itself. As a compromise, the D1 organisation instead gave the top three drivers a chance to compete in US based cars for both the point scoring and World All-Star round. The D1 franchise would itself move to the US after three seasons of being opening points scoring round.

Drifting team list

[edit]

Broadcast

[edit]

D1 Grand Prix coverage were never televised but the event coverage covered in Video Option and separate playback in VHS and DVD format. However the production of it stopped as Sunpros DVD product such as Video Option and Drift Tengoku were shifted to YouTube in 2018.

Live Stream of the event initially started in Niconico platform but also moved to YouTube in 2018 with the stream available as VOD after the stream is finished. Initially the livestream was stream on D1GP MOVIE CHANNEL but in 2023 the channel only stream for paying membership with free livestream moved to Video Option channel.

Manabu Suzuki is in charge of main commentator since the series first started. He usually accompanied by Naoki Tsuji but he is moved to YouTube commentary for the free livestream. Ryusuke Kawasaki and Ken Nomura also often accompanied Suzuki in commentary booth.

Free livestream is also available in English with Japan-based Australian YouTuber Alexi Smith aka Noriyaro and American D1 Divisional driver Kyle Cooney as commentary, voicing over the Japanese stream on same channel.

Live stream for DOSS Scoring system also available for free.

Championship winners

[edit]

By Year

[edit]
Year Series Driver Team Car
2001 D1GP Nobuteru Taniguchi After Fire Nissan Silvia S15 [12]
2002 D1GP Katsuhiro Ueo D'SIFT w/ Cusco Japan Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 [13]
2003 D1GP Youichi Imamura A'PEXi Mazda RX-7 FD3S [14]
2004 D1GP Ryuji Miki Top Secret Nissan Silvia S15 [15]
2005 D1GP Yasuyuki Kazama Kei-Office Nissan Silvia S15 [16]
2006 D1GP Nobushige Kumakubo Team Orange w/ Yuke's and Cusco Japan Subaru Impreza GDB [17]
D1SL Takashi Hagisako Clearance Nissan Silvia PS13 [18]
2007 D1GP Masato Kawabata Team TOYO with GP Sports Nissan Silvia S15 [19]
D1SL Kazuya Matsukawa Zip's Nissan 180SX [20]
2008 D1GP Daigo Saito Team 22 Nino/Fnatz Professional Garage Toyota Mark II JZX100 [21]
D1SL Naoto Suenaga Ebisu Circuit Drift Xtreme w/Agent K Nissan Silvia PS13 [22]
2009 D1GP Youichi Imamura Team Auto Produce Boss w/ Potenza Nissan Silvia S15 [23]
D1SL Naoki Nakamura D-Max Nissan Silvia S15 [24]
2010 D1GP Youichi Imamura M7 Boss SGC w/ Dunlop Nissan Silvia S15 [25]
D1SL Naoki Nakamura D-Max Nissan Silvia S13 [26]
2011 D1GP Youichi Imamura SGC Boss w/ Dunlop Nissan Silvia S15 [27]
D1SL Seimi Tanaka D-Max Nissan Silvia S13 [28]
2012 D1GP Nobushige Kumakubo YUKE'S Team Orange with BEAST EYE Nissan Laurel C33 [29]
D1SL Masashi Yokoi MCR Factory with D-MAX Nissan Silvia S14 [30]
2013 D1GP Masato Kawabata TEAM TOYO with GP SPORTS Nissan 180SX (RPS13) [31]
D1SL Yusuke Kitaoka Super Autobacs Tokorozawa with Ebisu Circuit Toyota Chaser JZX100 [32]
2014 D1GP Kuniaki Takahashi GOODYEAR Racing with KUNNY'Z Toyota Mark X (GRX130) [33]
D1SL Naoki Nakamura ORIGIN Labo. with R･Y･O Nissan Silvia S13 [34]
2015 D1GP Masato Kawabata Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT TRUST RACING Nissan GT-R [35]
D1SL Yusuke Kitaoka Team Ito Auto with GOODYEAR Toyota Mark II JZX100 [36]
2016 D1GP Daigo Saito Wanli Fat Five Racing Toyota Chaser JZX100 [37]
D1SL Katsuhiro Ueo Z.S.S. with SIFT & ブレイン Nissan Silvia S15 [38]
2017 D1GP Hideyuki Fujino Wisteria Toyo Tires Nissan 180SX RPS13 [39]
D1SL Not held
2018 D1GP Masashi Yokoi D-MAX Nissan Silvia S15 [40]
D1LT Junya Ishikawa nichiei racing TKL Nissan Silvia S14 [41]
2019 D1GP Masashi Yokoi D-MAX Racing Team Nissan Silvia S15 [42]
D1LT Kojiro Mekuwa Real Style Nissan Silvia S13 [43]
2020 D1GP Masanori Kohashi LingLong Tire Drift Team Orange Nissan Silvia S15 [44]
D1LT Kojiro Mekuwa Realstyle ORIGIN Labo. VALINO Nissan 180SX RPS13 [45]
2021 D1GP Naoki Nakamura MUGEN PLUS team ALIVE VALINO Nissan Silvia S15 [46]
D1LT Hiroki Vito TEAM VALINO TOPTUL Champion Nissan Silvia S13 [47]
2022 D1GP Masashi Yokoi D-Max Racing Team Nissan Silvia S15 [48]
D1LT Yuki Tano House Innovation Racing Team Nissan Silvia S15 [49]
2023 D1GP Hideyuki Fujino Team Toyo Tires Drift Toyota GR86 ZN8 [50]
D1LT Hisato Yonai GreenTop × 酒の中村 × AES Nissan 180SX RPS13 [51]
2024 D1GP Naoki Nakamura Valino × N-Style Nissan Silvia S13
D1LT Kenshiro Wada House Innovation Racing Team Nissan 180SX RPS13 [52]
2025 D1GP Hideyuki Fujino Team Toyo Tires Drift-1 Toyota GR86 ZN8
D1LT Genki Mogami MCR Factory Shibatire D-MAX Nissan 180SX RPS13

By Driver

[edit]

D1GP

[edit]
Driver Title(s) Season(s) Car(s)
Yoichi Imamura 4 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011 Mazda RX-7 (FD3S), 2003; Nissan Silvia (S15), 2009–2011
Masato Kawabata 3 2007, 2013, 2015 Nissan Silvia (S15), 2007; Nissan 180SX (RPS13), 2013; Nissan GT-R (R35), 2015
Masashi Yokoi 2018, 2019, 2022 Nissan Silvia (S15)
Hideyuki Fujino 2017, 2023, 2025 Nissan 180SX (RPS13), 2017; Toyota GR86 (ZN8), 2023,2025
Nobushige Kumakubo 2 2006, 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX (GDB), 2006; Nissan Laurel (C33), 2012
Daigo Saito 2008, 2016 Toyota Mark II (X100), 2008; Toyota Chaser (X100), 2016
Naoki Nakamura 2021, 2024 Nissan Silvia (S15), 2021; Nissan Silvia (S13), 2024
Nobuteru Taniguchi 1 2001 Nissan Silvia (S15)
Katsuhiro Ueo 2002 Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85)
Ryuji Miki 2004 Nissan Silvia (S15)
Yasuyuki Kazama 2005 Nissan Silvia (S15)
Kuniaki Takahashi 2014 Toyota Mark X (GRX130)
Masanori Kohashi 2020 Nissan Silvia (S15)
[edit]
Driver Title(s) Season(s) Car(s)
Naoki Nakamura 3 2009, 2010, 2014 Nissan Silvia (S15), 2009; Nissan Silvia (S13), 2010, 2014
Yusuke Kitaoka 2 2013, 2015 Toyota Mark II (JZX100)
Kojiro Mekuwa 2019, 2020 Nissan Silvia (S13), 2019; Nissan 180SX (RPS13), 2020
Takashi Hagisako 1 2006 Nissan Silvia (S13)
Kazuya Matsukawa 2007 Nissan 180SX (RPS13)
Naoto Suenaga 2008 Nissan Silvia (S13)
Seimi Tanaka 2011 Nissan Silvia (S13)
Masashi Yokoi 2012 Nissan Silvia (S14)
Katsuhiro Ueo 2016 Nissan Silvia (S15)
Junya Ishikawa 2018 Nissan Silvia (S14)
Hiroki Vito 2021 Nissan Silvia (S13)
Yuki Tano 2022 Nissan Silvia (S15)
Hisato Yonai 2023 Nissan 180SX (RPS13)
Kenshiro Wada 2024 Nissan 180SX (RPS13)
Genki Mogami 2025 Nissan 180SX (RPS13)

Tanso (solo run) champions

[edit]
Year Driver Team Car
2011 Daigo Saito Premium Japan with Daigo Toyota Chaser JZX100 [27]
2012 Kuniaki Takahashi Goodyear Racing with Kunny'z Toyota Mark X (GRX130) [53]
2013 Masato Kawabata Team Toyo with GP Sports Nissan 180SX (RPS13) [31]
2014 Masao Suenaga Team RE Amemiya Sunoco Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) [33]
2015 Akinori Utsumi RC926 with Toyo Tires Nissan Silvia (S15) [35]
2016 Daigo Saito Wanli Fat Five Racing Toyota Chaser (JZX100) [37]
2017 Hideyuki Fujino Wisteria Toyo Tires Nissan 180SX (RPS13) [39]
2018 Masato Kawabata Toyo Tires Glion Trust Racing Nissan GT-R [40]
2019 Yusuke Kitaoka Team Mori Toyota Mark II (JZX100) [42]
2020 Masashi Yokoi Nankang Tire Drift Team D-Max Nissan Silvia (S15) [44]
2021 Naoki Nakamura MUGEN PLUS team ALIVE VALINO Nissan Silvia (S15) [46]
2022 Masato Kawabata Team Toyo Tires Drift Toyota GR86 (ZN8) [48]
2023 Hideyuki Fujino Team Toyo Tires Drift Toyota GR86 (ZN8) [50]
2024 Naoki Nakamura Valino × N-Style Nissan Silvia (S13)
2025 Koudai Sobagiri Shibata Racing Team Toyota GR86 (ZN8)

(Non Championship) All Star winners

[edit]
Year Event title Driver Team Car
2004 USA vs Japan Nobushige Kumakubo Team Orange, ADVAN Nissan Silvia S15
2005 USA vs Japan Vaughn Gittin Jr. Falken, Drift Alliance Ford Mustang GT
2006 World All Star Ken Nomura Blitz, URAS, Direzza Nissan Skyline ER34
2007 All Star Duel Vaughn Gittin Jr. Falken, Drift Alliance Ford Mustang GT
2015 World Champions Masato Kawabata Team Toyo Tires Drift Trust Racing Nissan GT-R

Tires – D1GP

[edit]

A total of XX tire manufacturers have sponsored drivers over the history of D1GP competition.[54]

Tire Brand Years active
Indonesia ATR Radial (-2016)
China Antares (2024s-)
Japan Bridgestone (2001-?-2010, 2014-2016)
China Celimo (2024s-)
United Kingdom Davanti (2024s-)
United Kingdom Dunlop (2001-?-2018, 2022- )
Japan Falken (2001-?-2008, 2012-2016)
Chinese Taipei Federal (2011-2016, 2022-)
China Goodride (-2018)
United States Goodyear (2001-?-2018)
China Habilead (2022- )
South Korea Hankook (2011-?)
Chinese Taipei Kenda (2016 - 2017, 2022 - )
China Linglong (2019-2021)
United Kingdom MaxTrek (2024s-)
Chinese Taipei Nankang (2017- )
China Rydanz (2019-2020)
China Sailun (2020-2021, 2023-)
Japan Shibatire (2022- )
Japan Toyo (2001- )
Japan TRI-ACE (2018-2019, 2022-)
Japan Valino (2019- )
China Vitour (2021-2022)
China Wanli Tires [jp] (2016-2017)
China Westlake (?)
Japan Yokohama (2001-?-2016, 2022- )
Japan Zeknova (2023- )
Japan Zenew (2024s- )
Japan Zestino (2015-2018, 2022- )
Japan 5FIVEX (2019)

Statistics

[edit]

All-Time winners list

[edit]

excludes non-championship, D1SL & non-Japanese National events

Driver

[edit]
Drivers all-time winning table (Tsuiso)
[edit]
Rank[55] Driver Car(s) Total
1 Daigo Saito Toyota Mark II (JZX100), Toyota Chaser (JZX100), Chevrolet Corvette C6 (X245A), Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB) 20
2 Masato Kawabata Nissan Silvia (S15), Nissan 180SX (RPS13), Nissan GT-R (R35), Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB), Toyota GR86 (ZN8) 19
3 Youichi Imamura Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86), Mazda RX-7 (FD3S), Nissan Silvia (S15) 15
4 Masashi Yokoi Nissan Silvia (S15) 12
Naoki Nakamura Nissan Silvia (S15), Nissan Silvia (S13), Toyota GR86 (ZN8)
Masao Suenaga Mazda RX-7 (FD3S), Nissan GT-R (R35), Nissan Silvia (S15)
7 Masanori Kohashi Nissan Silvia (S15) 9
8 Hideyuki Fujino Nissan 180SX (RPS13), Toyota GR86 (ZN8) 7
Nobushige Kumakubo Nissan Silvia (S15), Subaru Impreza (GDB), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (CT9A), Nissan Laurel (C33)
Yasuyuki Kazama Nissan Silvia (S15)
11 Katsuhiro Ueo Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85), Nissan Silvia (S15) 5
Yukio Matsui Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)
Tetsuya Hibino Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85), Toyota GT86 (ZN6), Toyota GR86 (ZN8)
Koudai Sobagiri Infiniti Q60 (V37), Toyota GR86 (ZN8)
Ken Nomura Nissan Skyline (ER34)
Nobuteru Taniguchi Nissan Silvia (S15)
17 Kojiro Mekuwa Nissan 180SX (RPS13), BMW 3-Series (E92) 4
Naoto Suenaga Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (CZ4A), Nissan Silvia (S15)
19 Yoshinori Koguchi Nissan 180SX (RPS13), Nissan Silvia (S15) 3
Hokuto Matsuyama Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB), Toyota GR Corolla
21 Akinori Utsumi Nissan Silvia (S15) 2
Tomohiro Murayama Nissan Silvia (S14)
Manabu Orido Toyota Supra (JZA80), Toyota GT86 (ZN6)
Kuniaki Takahashi Toyota Mark X (GRX130)
Tsuyoshi Tezuka Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32)
Kazuhiro Tanaka Nissan Silvia (S15), Subaru Impreza (GDB)
26 Maopo Yamanaka Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB) 1
Shingo Hatanaka Toyota Chaser (JZX100)
Kenji Takayama Lexus GS (GRS191)
Kazuya Matsukawa Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85)
Masayoshi Tokita Toyota Crown (GRS180)
Atsushi Kuroi Nissan Silvia (S13)
Hideo Hiraoka Nissan Silvia (S15)
Toshiki Yoshioka Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85)
Ryuji Miki Nissan Silvia (S15)
Ken Maeda Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86)
Kouichi Yamashita Nissan Silvia (S15)
Masatoshi Asamoto Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)
Takahiro Ueno Toyota Soarer (JZZ30)
Mitsuru Haruguchi Mazda RX-7 (FC3S)
Tanso all-time winning table (Awarded since 2011 season)
[edit]
Rank Driver Car Total
1 Naoki Nakamura Nissan Silvia (S15), Nissan Silvia (S13), Toyota GR86 (ZN8) 14
2 Masato Kawabata Nissan 180SX (RPS13), Nissan GT-R (R35), Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB) 13
3 Hideyuki Fujino Nissan 180SX (RPS13), Toyota GR86 (ZN8) 13
4 Daigo Saito Toyota Mark II (JZX100), Toyota Chaser (JZX100), Chevrolet Corvette C6 (X245A),

Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB)

10
Koudai Sobagiri Infiniti Q60, Toyota GR86
6 Masashi Yokoi Nissan Silvia (S15) 8
7 Hokuto Matsuyama Toyota GR Supra (J29/DB), Toyota GR Corolla
8 Seimi Tanaka Nissan Silvia (S15) 6
Tetsuya Hibino Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85), Toyota Supra (JZA80), Honda S2000 (AP1),

Nissan Silvia (S14)

10 Yukio Matsui Nissan Silvia (S15), Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) 4
11 Akinori Utsumi Nissan Silvia (S15) 3
Teruyoshi Iwai Daihatsu Charmant (A35), Mazda Roadster (NA6CE)
13 Kuniaki Takahashi Toyota Mark X (GRX130) 2
Manabu Orido Toyota Supra (JZA80), Toyota GT86 (ZN6)
Youichi Imamura Nissan Silvia (S15), Toyota GT86 (ZN6)
Naoto Suenaga Nissan Silvia (S15)
16 Tsuyoshi Tezuka Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) 1
Kazuya Matsukawa Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE85)
Masao Suenaga Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)
Akira Hirajima Nissan Silvia (S15)
Yoshinori Koguchi Toyota GT86 (ZN6)
Shinji Sagisaka Toyota Altezza (SXE10)
Yusuke Kitaoka Toyota Mark II (JZX100)
Masanori Kohashi Nissan Silvia (S15)
Kojiro Mekuwa Nissan 180SX (RPS13)
Junya Ishikawa Toyota GR86 (ZN8)
Takahiro Ueno Lexus RC (XC10)
Mitsuru Murakami Toyota GR86 (ZN8)
Lattapon Keawchin BMW 2 Series (F22)

Bold : Active Drivers

Italics : Active in other series

Car all-time winning table

[edit]

(Tsuiso = dual run; tanso = solo run)[56]

Position Car Total 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2001
Overall
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
Tsuiso
Tanso
1st Nissan Silvia S15 84 2 2 4 4 3 4 2 2 1 3 2 2 1 0 2 2 2 1 2 0 2 0 1 2 1 5 1 5 2 7 4 8 6 3 1 4 2 0 0 0 1
2nd Toyota GR86 ZN8 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 4 5 4 5 6 6
3rd Nissan 180SX RPS13 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 1 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
4th Mazda RX-7 FD3S 26 0 3 2 2 2 0 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5th Toyota Mark II JZX100 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6th Toyota Supra DB 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 0 4 0 1
7th Nissan GT-R R35 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8th Toyota Sprinter AE86 10 1 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9th Nissan Silvia PS13 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 4 1 0 0
10th Infiniti Q60 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 2 0 0 0 0
11th Toyota Chaser JZX100 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12th Nissan Skyline ER34 5 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Toyota 86 ZN6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14th Toyota Mark X GRX130 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15th Subaru Impreza GDB 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nissan Laurel C33 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nissan Silvia S14 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Toyota GR Corolla E210 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
BMW 3 Series E92 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
20th Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR32 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Toyota Supra JZA80 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X CZ4A 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Toyota Sprinter AE85 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mazda Roadster NA6CE 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chevrolet Corvette X245A 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
26th Toyota Soarer JZZ30 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mazda RX-7 FC3S 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Honda S2000 AP1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX CT9A 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Toyota Crown GRS180 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lexus GS GRS191 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR34 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Daihatsu Charmant A35 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Toyota Altezza SXE10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lexus RC XC10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
BMW 2 Series F22 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Sources:[42][44][57]
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

D1 Grand Prix

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The D1 Grand Prix (D1GP) is a production car drifting competition series founded in 2000 in , organized by Sunpros as the official JAF Japan Drift Championship under the sanctioning of the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF), and widely regarded as the original and premier championship in the sport of drifting. Drifting, the core technique, involves intentionally oversteering a to cause the rear wheels (or all tires) to lose traction, resulting in a controlled sideslip while maintaining speed and direction through turns, often performed in a visually dynamic and acrobatic manner. The series was established by prominent figures in Japanese automotive culture, including Daijiro Inada, founder of the influential Option magazine publisher San-Ei Shobo, and , known as the "Drift King" for popularizing the technique through media and racing. The inaugural event took place at in , marking the transition of drifting from informal street and touge (mountain pass) activities to a structured professional , with competitors using modified street-legal vehicles rather than purpose-built race cars. Competition in D1GP emphasizes driver skill over raw horsepower, with events structured around two main phases: Tanso (solo qualifying runs), where drivers perform individual drifts judged by the D1 Original Scoring System (DOSS) on metrics including entry angle, speed, line accuracy, smoothness, and engine sound; and Tsuiso (tandem battles), a of one-on-one chases where drivers alternate as leader and follower, scored by judges on proximity, matching angles, balance, and avoidance of penalties like or excessive distance. Each season typically features 4-6 rounds held at circuits across , such as and Okuibuki Motorpark, with occasional international extensions to countries like , , and , culminating in a season finale often at Tokyo's area for high-profile exhibitions. Over its history, D1GP has evolved from human-judged events to incorporate technology like DOSS for objective solo scoring, while retaining subjective judging for battles to preserve the sport's emphasis on "coolness" and performance flair. The series has produced legendary drivers, including multiple champions like and Youichi Imamura, and has significantly influenced global drifting culture, inspiring international series such as in the United States starting in 2004. As of 2025, D1GP continues as an active annual series with domestic, lights (entry-level), and overseas components, attracting a diverse field of modified rear-wheel-drive vehicles like Nissan Silvias, Toyota 86s, and BMWs tuned for high-grip tires and turbocharged engines exceeding 800 horsepower.

History

Founding and Early Development

The D1 Grand Prix was established in 2000 by Daijiro Inada, founder of the influential Japanese automotive magazine Option and organizer of the , in collaboration with professional driver and drifting pioneer . This marked the launch of the world's first professional drifting championship, transitioning the underground art of drifting from informal street and mountain pass activities into a structured, sanctioned . Inada's vision was to provide a safe, legal outlet for drifters, building on years of amateur contests he had hosted since the late to gauge and develop talent. The series drew inspiration from Japan's vibrant underground drifting culture, which had roots in touge racing on winding mountain roads and gained widespread visibility through automotive video series in the 1990s, such as the 1996 Hot Version production that showcased high-speed slides and technical maneuvers. These media efforts, alongside rival publications like Option's own Video Option series, helped elevate drifting from a niche, often illegal pursuit among car enthusiasts to a spectacle with mass appeal, setting the stage for professional organization under the D1 Corporation. By formalizing the sport, Inada and Tsuchiya aimed to professionalize what had been a grassroots phenomenon driven by skill, modification culture, and vibes. The inaugural season featured a six-round structure, kicking off on October 6, 2000, at the Ebisu Circuit's South Course in , with subsequent events at venues including Nikko Circuit, Bihoku Circuit, Base, and , culminating in December 2001. Central to the format was the emphasis on tandem battles, or tsuiso, where pairs of drivers pursued each other in close formation around the track, prioritizing proximity and control over outright speed. Qualification occurred via solo runs (tanso), but the competitive heart lay in these judged duels, which demanded precise car control and aggressive yet controlled drifting. Among the early hurdles were developing standardized judging criteria to ensure fairness in a inherently subjective discipline, where elements like drift angle, line adherence, speed, and overall style were scored by a panel often including Tsuchiya himself. Initial events drew modest crowds, complicating efforts to secure major sponsorships beyond core automotive partners like tire manufacturers, though the series' novelty gradually attracted support from the tuning industry. These foundational efforts laid the groundwork for D1's evolution into a global benchmark for drifting.

Key Milestones and Expansions

In 2005, D1 Grand Prix collaborated with GT Channel and Video Option for coverage of the vs. invitational event, helping to increase visibility among international audiences. This effort contributed to the series' first international expansion, with the inaugural D1 Grand Prix event held in in 2006 as a feeder series to introduce drifting to the Southeast Asian market. The introduction of the D1 Street Legal category in 2006 marked a major milestone in talent development, creating a feeder series for road-legal vehicles that lowered entry barriers while maintaining competitive standards through lenient yet safety-focused regulations. This initiative allowed everyday enthusiasts and emerging drivers to compete in structured events across , serving as a pipeline to the main D1 Grand Prix series. Building on this, the D1 Lights series launched in as an additional feeder competition, emphasizing economical vehicle modifications and regional rounds to further expand participation and scout promising talent for professional advancement. Facing economic challenges from the global financial downturn and internal organizational disputes, including a controversial split between D1 and its promoter, the series entered a hiatus in , suspending full operations to restructure. The revival in 2012 brought enhanced safety protocols, such as stricter vehicle inspections, improved barrier systems at venues, and mandatory updates, ensuring a safer environment for competitors and spectators while reaffirming the series' commitment to professional standards. Expansion efforts continued with affiliated tours into starting in 2019, partnering with local organizers to host D1-sanctioned drifting events that integrated international judges and Japanese pros with Chinese talent. This outreach capitalized on the region's booming automotive , featuring tire partnerships like Rydanz to support regional competitions. The initiative culminated in the 2025 D1 Grand Drift Championship China Tour, whose finale was held October 17–19 in at the Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center, drawing global drivers and marking a high point in the series' Asian growth.

Recent Seasons and 2025 Updates

The 2024 Gran Turismo D1 Grand Prix series concluded with Naoki Nakamura securing the drivers' championship, driving for TEAM VALINO × N-STYLE and accumulating 155 points across the season's rounds. The Shibata Racing Team claimed the teams' championship with an identical 155 points, marking a strong performance in tandem battles and solo runs. In the support D1 Lights category, Kenshiro Wada emerged as champion for HOUSE INNOVATION Racing Team, piloting a (RPS13) to 124 points, highlighting the series' role in nurturing emerging talent. The 2025 D1 Grand Prix season commenced with the Kick Off Drift event on January 11-12, setting the stage for a competitive year. Subsequent rounds include Rounds 1 and 2 at Okuibuki Motorpark on May 10-11, Rounds 3 and 4 at on June 27-29, Rounds 5 and 6 at on September 26-28, and Rounds 7 and 8 at on October 24-26, with additional overseas events expanding the calendar. In D1 Lights, Genki Mogami secured the drivers' championship, driving a (RPS13) for MCR Factory SHIBATIRE D-MAX. Building on trials from the 2024 D1 Lights finale, the 2025 season introduces a Top 24 tournament format for the category, reviving a structure last used in the 2014 D1GP to streamline advancement and intensify competition among qualifiers. The "Next 10 Years" project, launched in , continues to drive innovations such as enhanced safety protocols—including advanced barrier systems and medical response teams—and expanded support programs, like technical workshops and career development initiatives, to sustain the series' growth and appeal.

Competition Format

Qualifying and Solo Runs (Tanso)

In the Tanso phase of D1 Grand Prix events, drivers execute solo runs on a specialized course marked by clipping points, where they must initiate and maintain controlled drifts through designated zones to showcase technical precision. This format serves as the foundational evaluation of individual skill, requiring drivers to navigate the layout with consistent entry speeds, sharp transitions, and stable slides while adhering to the predefined path. Performances are scored primarily on adherence to the racing line, drift angle, maintained speed, and overall style, with the D1 Original Scoring System (DOSS) providing mechanical verification of key metrics like angle and velocity to minimize subjectivity. The scoring awards up to 10 points for speed, up to 10 points for stable angle, and 0-3 additional points for sharp drifts, with a nominal maximum around 100 points per run, though totals may exceed this. The qualifying process within Tanso allows each driver two attempts, with only the highest-scoring run counting toward advancement, ensuring a merit-based selection. The top 16 performers proceed to the tandem battles, where seeding is determined by their Tanso rankings to promote competitive matchups (varying to top 32 for larger entry fields). To maintain fairness across varying vehicle setups and track conditions, rules mandate offensive driving with prioritized high speeds; significant reductions in pace result in point deductions, preventing conservative strategies that could skew comparisons. This structure has evolved over time, transitioning from expansive early-season fields exceeding 60 entrants in the 2000s—which often extended qualifying durations—to more efficient 40-driver grids by the 2010s, allowing for tighter scheduling and broader international participation. Beyond championship rounds, Tanso plays a key role in non-championship exhibitions, such as all-star events, where solo runs determine individual champions based on exceptional single-lap performances, highlighting top talents outside the main tandem format. These sessions integrate briefly with tandem judging principles by rewarding fluid transitions and visual impact, but focus solely on isolated execution to celebrate technical mastery.

Tandem Battles and Judging

The tandem battles, known as tsuiso in Japanese, form the elimination phase of D1 Grand Prix competitions, where drivers engage in head-to-head duels following qualification via solo runs. These battles adopt a pursuit-style format, with one vehicle designated as the leader and the other as the chaser. Each pair performs two runs: first with Driver A leading and Driver B chasing, then swapping roles. The leader must maintain a predetermined clipping line—defined by zones and points around the track—while demonstrating controlled drifting at high speed. The chaser aims to mirror the leader's path as closely as possible, staying in proximity without contact or obstruction, to showcase superior technique. Judging occurs via a panel of typically three to five experienced referees, who use standardized scoring sheets to evaluate performances in real-time, often assisted by the D1 Objective Scoring System (DOSS) for objective metrics like angle and speed. Criteria emphasize four key elements: line, which assesses adherence to the prescribed track path and clipping points (deductions for going off-course or underdrifting); angle, measuring the vehicle's lean relative to the leader or ideal trajectory, rewarding large, stable drifts over temporary or shallow ones; speed, evaluating maintained velocity and proximity to the lead car without excessive slowing; and style, incorporating subjective factors such as smooth swings, engine sound, and overall fluidity. Each run is scored out of a maximum of 10 points per judge, with the total across both runs (up to 20 points) determining the winner; the higher aggregate score advances the driver. Tiebreakers prioritize the driver with the higher score from the chase run, followed by DOSS data on angle or speed if needed; persistent ties trigger a one-time rematch, after which the initial single-run qualification ranking decides advancement. Penalties apply for errors such as spinning out (-3 to -5 rank deductions), contact with the opponent or barriers (automatic loss if severe), or leader obstruction by widening the gap excessively (-1 to -5 ranks). Mechanical failures or unsportsmanlike conduct can result in disqualification, ensuring emphasis on clean, competitive execution. In support series like D1 Lights, tandem battles follow a similar pursuit format but with simplified judging to accommodate emerging drivers. The top 16 qualifiers enter the bracket, where the leader's run is scored as a standard single effort, while the chaser receives relative adjustments (-1 to +1 per corner) based on proximity and execution against the leader. Rematches are limited to one for the best-of-eight stage and beyond, contrasting the main series' potential for additional replays, promoting faster progression and focus on fundamental skills.

Event Structure and Venues

The D1 Grand Prix events follow a standardized three-day weekend structure designed to build excitement from practice to competition climax. Practice sessions typically occur on Friday, providing drivers with dedicated time to adapt to the circuit layout, test vehicle setups, and refine drifting techniques without formal judging. This initial day emphasizes preparation and often includes open pit access for fans to observe team activities. Saturday focuses on qualifying through Tanso runs, where each driver completes two solo drifting passes evaluated by the D1 Judging (DOSS) on criteria such as line adherence, drift angle, speed, clipping points, and overall smoothness. The highest-scoring 16 or 32 drivers (depending on entry size) advance, establishing the seeding for subsequent battles. This phase sets the competitive tone while allowing spectators to witness individual performances up close. Sunday hosts the core of the event: tandem battles, or Tsuiso, in a single-elimination bracket format where paired drivers alternate leading and chasing roles over two runs each, judged on proximity, matching lines, and style. The progression leads to semifinals and a , determining the round's top finishers and awarding championship points. Safety briefings and final inspections precede on-track action to ensure compliance with regulations. The series centers on premier Japanese motorsport facilities, with in as the longstanding home base, renowned for its challenging layout and historical ties to drifting's origins. Key venues also encompass in Ibaraki for its technical corners and Okuibuki Motor Park in Shiga for high-speed sections, alongside occasional sites like International Racing Course and special urban setups at in . Seasons typically feature 6 to 8 rounds, often combining two rounds per venue weekend to maximize efficiency and fan engagement. Internationally, D1 Grand Prix has hosted rounds in Malaysia, such as at APDCrew Circuit, and Australia during its early expansion phases to grow the sport's global footprint. For 2025, the core schedule emphasizes domestic Japanese circuits while maintaining ties to affiliated tours in China, including stops at Maojiawan Automotive Park in Chengdu and Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center in Dongguan, as well as rounds in Thailand at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani and Indonesia (e.g., Yogyakarta). Events draw substantial crowds, often exceeding 3,000 attendees per round in international settings and larger numbers at Japanese venues, fostering a vibrant atmosphere through dedicated fan zones with merchandise stalls, vendors, and live . Interactive elements include mandatory pit walks for driver-fan meet-and-greets lasting at least 20 minutes and specialized experiences like Drift Cruise ride-alongs, where spectators join professional drivers for controlled tandem drifts. At , drift taxi services offer thrilling passenger rides on the track, enhancing accessibility for enthusiasts.

Vehicle Regulations

D1GP Technical Standards

The D1 Grand Prix (D1GP) technical standards govern the modification and preparation of for the flagship professional drifting series, ensuring a balance between safety, performance, and competitive equity while allowing extensive customization for high-grip, controllable drifts. must be based on production passenger cars with a of 2 to 6, converted into dedicated competition machines that retain the original unibody construction—no tube-frame are permitted. Rear-wheel-drive configuration is mandatory, prohibiting all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive setups to emphasize the series' focus on precise and control during slides. Maximum dimensions are limited to 5,000 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, with a minimum of 2,150 mm; vehicle height is limited to 1,500 mm. Vehicle weight, including the driver and equipment, determines width limits: maximum 265 mm width if under 1,275 kg, and 285 mm if 1,275 kg or more, to maintain structural integrity under high lateral loads. Safety features are strictly enforced, including a mandatory compliant with FIA 8855-1999 or 8862-2009 standards (featuring manufacturer identification and serial numbers) and an automatic fire extinguishing system with minimum 4 L capacity, FIA-approved, and at least two nozzles. Engine and drivetrain modifications prioritize power delivery for sustained drifts without restrictive limits on displacement, allowing naturally aspirated or forced-induction setups including turbochargers and superchargers, though nitrous oxide systems are banned. Engines must be installed in the original compartment position, and replacement units are permitted provided they meet general commercial fuel requirements (unleaded gasoline only, with no on-site mixing). The drivetrain, including transmission and differentials, can be freely modified or replaced, requiring a functional reverse gear and oil catch tanks (minimum 200 ml for transmission, 100 ml for differentials) to manage fluids during aggressive maneuvers. Sequential gearboxes are commonly used for quick shifts but are not mandated, as any configuration meeting reverse functionality suffices. Suspension systems are fully adjustable, permitting setups with variable damping and to optimize tire contact and drift initiation, while widebody kits constructed from composite materials are allowed to accommodate larger wheels, provided they are securely attached to the . Tires must adhere to UN/ECE No. 117-02 Stage 2 standards, with width limits based on vehicle weight (265 mm max under 1,275 kg including , 285 mm max at or above); typical approved sizes include 255/35R18 front and 275-285/35R18 rear on 18-inch rims, with overall diameters around 640-660 mm—no grooving or recutting is permitted to ensure consistent grip. Yokohama Rubber serves as the official tire supplier, providing ADVAN-brand tires such as the NEOVA AD09 and AD09R for competition use (incorporating sustainable compounds since 2023), a partnership that has supported the series since its early years. Participants must pre-register tire specifications from the approved 2025 D1GP list, with only marked tires eligible for final rounds. All vehicles undergo rigorous pre-event technical inspections to verify compliance, conducted by the D1GP Technical Committee within designated time windows before practice sessions. Teams must declare all modifications in advance, and the committee assesses dimensions, safety equipment, and overall condition; non-compliant vehicles may receive provisional approval if rectified by a deadline, but ultimate safety responsibility lies with the participant. An inspection certificate is issued and affixed to approved cars, ensuring only verified machines compete.

Support Series Modifications

The support series within the D1 Grand Prix framework incorporate regulatory adjustments to lower , enabling greater participation from drivers and regional competitors while upholding core safety principles. These modifications diverge from the main series' D1GP Technical Standards by emphasizing affordability, road usability, and local development over extreme . D1 Street Legal prioritizes vehicles suitable for everyday road use, mandating road-legal tires and adherence to emissions compliance to ensure drivability beyond the track. Major body modifications, such as extensive fender widening or alterations, are restricted to preserve the original structure and functionality for public highways. This setup allows participants to compete with minimally altered production cars, fostering for those without access to fully race-prepped builds. D1 Lights serves as an entry-level feeder series for newcomers, enforcing budget constraints to promote economical builds and broad involvement, with vehicles conforming to D2 Vehicle Regulations (minimum weight 1,000 kg, maximum 1,550 kg). Engine specifications follow D2 standards, permitting naturally aspirated units up to 2.0 liters to reduce costs and complexity compared to the turbocharged or supercharged powerplants common in the main series; advanced aero enhancements are prohibited, directing focus toward skill development. The D1 National Series targets regional talent cultivation, with eligibility restricted to drivers from specific locales to build grassroots participation. Aerodynamic rules are relaxed, allowing basic add-ons like stock-style spoilers without the strict dimensional limits of the pro series, which encourages experimentation with local-sourced parts. Organizers may further adapt engine and transmission standards to suit available resources, supporting development in areas with limited infrastructure. Across all support series, mandates remain consistent to protect participants, including the use of full-face helmets manufactured within the last 10 years and compliant with JAF standards for certified . Harnesses are required at minimum as 4-point systems in regional classes (with 5- or 6-point recommended or mandatory in higher tiers), alongside fire extinguishers and circuit breakers to mitigate risks during high-speed drifts. These uniform protocols ensure equivalence in driver protection despite the varied modification allowances.

Safety and Tire Requirements

Safety protocols in the D1 Grand Prix series emphasize comprehensive for drivers to minimize injury risks during high-speed drifting maneuvers. Drivers are required to wear FIA-approved fire-resistant overall suits, balaclavas, upper and lower fireproof underwear, socks, shoes, and gloves throughout all competition sessions. These garments must meet stringent flame-retardant standards to protect against potential fires from mechanical failures or impacts. Additionally, helmets compliant with JAF (Japanese Automobile Federation) specifications—such as those certified under Snell SA or equivalent standards and no older than 10 years from manufacture—are mandatory. The Head and Neck Support (, or an approved frontal system, is also required for all participants, aligning with FIA guidelines to reduce the risk of basilar skull fractures in crashes by limiting excessive head movement. Following the series' revival in , event venues have incorporated enhanced circuit-specific barriers, such as energy-absorbing systems and reinforced fencing, to mitigate collision impacts and protect both drivers and spectators from . These measures, developed in with JAF, address the unique demands of drifting where vehicles frequently operate at near walls and obstacles. On-site medical teams, equipped with advanced trauma response capabilities, are stationed at all events to provide immediate care in case of incidents. Tire requirements are strictly regulated to ensure competitive equity and performance consistency across all D1 series variants. In the flagship , ADVAN racing tires serve as the official control tire, with widths limited by (265 mm max for <1,275 kg including , 285 mm max for ≥1,275 kg); typical sizes from the 2025 approved list include 255/35R18 front and 275/35R18 or 285/35R18 rear, marked by officials prior to use in finals. Only these marked tires may be used on drive wheels during competitive runs, prohibiting substitutions to maintain fairness. For the D1 Street Legal variant, tires must be DOT-approved for public road use, emphasizing semi-slick compounds suitable for both track and conditions. Teams receive a limited allocation of tire sets per event to control costs and environmental impact, with unused or damaged tires subject to inspection. Incident response procedures have evolved in response to past events, including multiple high-profile crashes at the 2015 round, where vehicles sustained significant damage during tandem battles. These incidents prompted updates to safety rules, such as mandatory spotter systems for real-time monitoring and stricter vehicle inspections to prevent failures. Medical teams now conduct rapid evacuations and on-track interventions, with post-event reviews leading to refined judging criteria that prioritize safer line choices without compromising the sport's essence. Environmental considerations have gained prominence, with announcing in 2023 a transition to sustainable tire compounds incorporating renewable and recycled materials for its ADVAN racing lineup used in D1 events. This shift aims to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining grip and durability, aligning with broader JAF sustainability goals for series.

Series Variants

The D1 Street Legal series, launched in 2006 as a sub-series of the D1 Grand Prix, aimed to promote more accessible drifting by allowing participants to compete with vehicles that remain fully road-legal and drivable on public streets. This initiative sought to bridge the gap between enthusiasts and competition, emphasizing drifting's origins while adhering to strict compliance standards for vehicle registration, emissions, and safety features required for everyday road use. Events were typically held on established circuits in Japan, such as , ensuring controlled environments that balanced competitive drifting with legal roadworthiness. The format of D1 Street Legal adapted the core D1 Grand Prix structure to suit street-legal constraints, featuring battles that prioritized precise control, line adherence, and vehicle stability over the extreme angles and modifications seen in the main series. Qualifying solo runs evaluated drift accuracy and speed, followed by head-to-head battles judged on criteria like clipping points and smoothness, but with shorter run lengths to accommodate the limitations of production-based setups. Regulations mandated functional street components, including , heaters, stock window glass, door panels, and dashboards, while permitting engine swaps only within the same manufacturer (e.g., engines in chassis). These rules fostered a focus on driver skill rather than radical engineering, making the series an for aspiring professionals. Typical entrants in D1 Street Legal included modified yet street-registerable Japanese domestic market vehicles, with the models—such as the S13 and S15—being particularly prevalent due to their rear-wheel-drive layout, tunable SR20 engines, and affordability for customization. Drivers like Naoto Suenaga, who secured multiple victories including the 2008 championship in an S13 , exemplified the series' appeal to those building competitive cars without sacrificing daily drivability. Other common builds featured turbocharged setups from brands like Trust, paired with suspension from HKS, all while retaining license plates and stock lighting. The series experienced steady growth following its inception, gaining popularity from onward as a feeder pathway to the D1 Grand Prix by nurturing talent through more attainable competition levels. It attracted a dedicated field of entrants throughout the , with drivers like Masashi Yokoi competing successfully in Silvia-based machines and contributing to the series' reputation for exciting, relatable drifting action. By providing a platform for street-style builds, D1 Street Legal helped expand the sport's accessibility in until its discontinuation in 2017.

D1 Lights

D1 Lights serves as the entry-level feeder series for the D1 Grand Prix, designed to nurture emerging drifting talent through cost-controlled and structured competition. Launched in 2018 as a replacement for the D1 Street Legal series, it targets drivers with limited professional experience, imposing a limit of 5 million yen per to ensure and focus on skill over financial resources. The series emphasizes by adhering to core D1GP judging criteria for solo runs and tandem battles, while allowing participants to build experience without the full pressures of the main championship. Events in the D1 Lights series are integrated parallel to D1GP rounds, sharing venues to expose rookies to high-level facilities and atmospheres, with clear graduation pathways to the main series upon consistent performance or championship success. For instance, all D1 Lights champions prior to advanced to compete in the D1GP season, highlighting the series' effectiveness as a talent pipeline. This integration fosters direct progression, as top performers earn licenses and opportunities to join professional teams in the flagship championship. As of 2025, the series remains active, with the season featuring a top 24 tournament format for the finals to enhance competitive depth. Success stories from D1 Lights underscore its role in launching careers, with graduates like Ryuu Nakamura—son of D1GP champion Naoki Nakamura—winning rounds at age 18 in 2024 after debuting in the series.

D1 National Series

The D1 National Series, known in as the D1 Divisional Series or D1 Regional Series (D1地方戦), was established in 2006 as an entry-level competition to nurture grassroots drifting talent across the country. Organized by the D1 Grand Prix entity, it focuses on prefecture-based events to support local drifting communities, providing accessible platforms for amateur and semi-professional drivers to hone skills in solo runs and battles before advancing to higher tiers. This series serves as a critical pipeline, with top performers earning opportunities to qualify for the D1 Lights series through demonstrated proficiency and regional championships. As of 2025, it continues as the D1 Divisional Series. The series operates through seven regional divisions—North, East, Central, Middle-West, West, , and Okinawa—each hosting multiple rounds annually at local circuits such as Mobara Twin Circuit, Nikko Circuit, and YZ Circuit, resulting in over 10 events nationwide per season. Formats emphasize team-based participation alongside individual entries, fostering collaboration among drifting squads; notable examples include Shibata Racing, which has competed in divisional rounds and progressed drivers to national levels. Competitions follow a structured progression from practice sessions to judged tandem drifts, mirroring the main D1GP but on a smaller scale to build foundational experience. Vehicle regulations prioritize affordability and accessibility, permitting a wide range of production-based cars including older models like the , which lowers entry barriers for emerging drivers compared to the stricter standards of upper series. This flexibility has enabled diverse participation, with examples such as Akira Hirashima's AE86 campaign in the 2011 West Division highlighting how classic chassis can compete effectively. Safety requirements align with broader D1 guidelines, including roll cages and , while tire choices emphasize cost-effective options suitable for regional budgets. Since its inception, the series has significantly impacted the professional drifting landscape by producing a substantial number of drivers who have graduated to the D1 Grand Prix, including figures like Hiroyuki Ono and Seiki Tanaka, who transitioned from divisional success to main-series contention. By emphasizing , it sustains Japan's drifting ecosystem, ensuring a steady influx of skilled participants and contributing to the sport's longevity at the national level.

Qualification Pathways

Road to D1 Program

The Road to D1 initiative provides a structured pathway for amateur drifters to transition into the professional ranks of the D1 Grand Prix series through a series of invitational events and workshops aimed at identifying and developing emerging talent. The program focuses on nurturing up-and-comers by offering opportunities to showcase skills in controlled environments, helping them build the technical proficiency and competitive experience required for higher-level competition. The selection process involves scouting at national and regional drift series, where judges and organizers evaluate performances based on criteria such as line accuracy, speed, and style during solo runs and battles. Top performers from these events are invited to advance, often earning spots in the D1 Lights series, which serves as a key feeder competition with more accessible vehicle regulations and status to bridge the gap to the main D1 Grand Prix. Since its inception, the program has facilitated the progression of numerous drivers to professional status, with notable success stories including Naoki Nakamura, who advanced from the D1 Street Legal feeder series—predecessor to D1 Lights—to become the D1 Grand Prix champion in 2021 and 2024. This pathway emphasizes consistent performance in lower-tier events to secure a D1 license, enabling participants to compete alongside established professionals while adhering to the series' emphasis on judged drifting technique.

All-Star and Non-Championship Events

The D1 Grand Prix has featured annual events since 2004 as invite-only competitions emphasizing tandem drifting battles among elite drivers, separate from the points-based championship series. These non-championship showdowns invite top performers from prior seasons, fostering high-stakes exhibitions that highlight technical skill in side-by-side drifts without impacting official standings. While tandem judging determines overall winners, solo lead runs are evaluated and tracked independently to recognize individual flair and precision. Event formats vary from standard structures, incorporating runs for broader demonstrations, occasional celebrity guest appearances to draw crowds, and unique prize distributions focused on recognition rather than season-long accumulation. For instance, early iterations emphasized international matchups, such as the U.S. vs. All-Star at California Speedway, which pitted Japanese professionals against emerging American talents in a promotional . These deviations allow organizers to experiment with layouts and themes, enhancing entertainment value while maintaining core drifting principles. Notable editions include the 2019 Monster Energy D1GP All Star Shoot-out in , , , which brought together international drivers like Japan's in a and expanded the series' global footprint. Looking ahead, a 2025 Tokyo Drift-themed event is planned for November 15-16 at 's special venue, featuring ride-along experiences and exhibition elements to celebrate the series' cultural ties to drifting cinema. These All-Star and non-championship events play a key role in promoting the D1 Grand Prix by increasing visibility through accessible, high-profile formats that attract new audiences without altering competitive hierarchies, often serving as scouting platforms for the Road to D1 program.

Participants

Teams and Sponsorships

D1 Grand Prix teams operate as organized squads, typically comprising a team representative, one or more drivers, dedicated mechanics, and support staff to handle vehicle preparation and event logistics. According to series regulations, each team must include at least three registered members fulfilling these roles. A prominent example is the Shibata Racing Team, the 2024 teams' champions, which fields multiple drivers such as Tetsuya Hibino and Koudai Sobagiri, supported by in-house mechanics for competitive edge in tandem battles. Sponsorship forms the core of team funding, with tire suppliers like providing ADVAN brand tires to select squads aiming for victories, while Achilles has backed drifting entries through dedicated team liveries in prior seasons. Tuning and parts firms, such as and GP Sports, contribute and branding, enabling streams via prominent event displays and vehicle wraps. This model sustains operations amid high costs for custom chassis and . As of the 2025 season (up to Round 8), 25 active teams compete, including returning outfits like Shibata Racing Team, Team DRIFT, and VALINO TEAM G-Meister, often linked to regional D1 National series for talent development. Entry lists from recent rounds, such as RD7&8 at , feature diverse squads like URAS Racing and VEHIQL Racing × VALINO, reflecting broad participation across and international affiliates. The series' team structure has evolved from largely individual or small-scale entries during its 2001 launch, focused on solo driver showcases, to formalized corporate-backed organizations by the early . This shift facilitated deeper sponsorship integrations and multi-driver strategies, enhancing competitiveness as seen in consistent top performers like Team TOYO TIRES DRIFT.

Notable Drivers and Careers

stands as one of the most accomplished drivers in D1 Grand Prix history, having secured championships in 2008 and 2016 while debuting in the series in 2004 with his distinctive . His career trajectory exemplifies the blend of technical precision and aggressive style that defines elite drifters, evolving from early rounds where he honed tandem battles to becoming a multi-series champion, including titles in 2012. Saito's innovations in vehicle setup, particularly with turbocharged engines, have influenced subsequent generations, positioning him as both a competitor and builder in the drifting community. Naoki Nakamura emerged as the 2024 D1 Grand Prix champion, marking his second overall title after 2021 and solidifying his reputation as a specialist with a V8-swapped S13 known for its high-horsepower tandem runs. Nakamura's path reflects a steady progression through Japan's drifting ranks, leveraging consistent solo and chase performances to clinch the season finale at with flawless execution. His focus on rear-wheel-drive purity has made him a fan favorite, often competing under team affiliations like Burst and Nstyle. Career advancement in D1 Grand Prix frequently begins in feeder series like D1 Lights, providing a direct pathway to the professional circuit for emerging talents. Wada exemplifies this rise, capturing the 2024 D1 Lights title before graduating to the main D1 Grand Prix in 2025 with Team D-MAX Racing in a . Wada's rapid ascent highlights how Lights graduates adapt to the series' demanding judgment criteria, transitioning from regional events to international-caliber battles within a single season. Many drivers, including international ambassadors, credit this structured progression for building the skills needed to represent D1 globally. The series has promoted diversity since 2015, with female drivers breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated . Michie Mimoto became one of the earliest participants in that era, paving the way for competitors like Sayaka Shimoda, who joined D1 Grand Prix in 2022 driving a Trueno AE86 and competing in high-profile rounds such as the Indonesian event. Shimoda's entry marked a resurgence in female representation, emphasizing technical proficiency in solo runs and tandems while inspiring broader participation through her appearances in media and exhibitions. Post-2005, D1 Grand Prix expanded to include international entrants, fostering a global exchange of drifting techniques and attracting drivers from diverse backgrounds. Examples include Russian drifter Georgy "Gocha" Chivchyan, who competed with a S15, and Italian representative Sceriffo, both participating in invitational rounds that showcased cross-cultural rivalries. This influx has elevated the series' profile, with entrants like American-Japanese driver Ken Gushi contributing to hybrid styles that blend Eastern precision with Western power delivery. Veterans like Nobushige Kumakubo have left enduring legacies, with his 2006 championship win in a S15 establishing him as a pioneer of chase drifting since the series' inception. Kumakubo's career spans over two decades, including consistent top finishes and contributions to Team Orange, before transitioning to mentorship roles that influence current D1 protocols and driver training. His retirement from full-time competition in recent years underscores the series' evolution, as alumni continue to shape drifting through judging, car building, and global exhibitions.

Media and Broadcasting

Domestic Coverage in Japan

The primary media coverage for the D1 Grand Prix in Japan has been provided by Video Option, a video series produced by the automotive publisher behind Option magazine, which has documented rounds through DVDs, VHS releases, and highlight compilations since the series' inception. These productions include detailed footage of qualifying, tandem battles, and behind-the-scenes content, making them a cornerstone for fans seeking in-depth event recaps. Print and digital media support comes from Option magazine, a leading Japanese publication on tuning and drifting culture, which features extensive articles, driver interviews, and photo spreads on D1 Grand Prix events alongside its Video Option releases. The official D1 Grand Prix website, d1gp.co.jp, serves as the central digital hub for real-time results, schedules, entry lists, and archival content, enabling fans to follow series developments and access official announcements. Fan engagement is bolstered by the official D1GP MOVIE CHANNEL on , which has amassed over 137,000 subscribers and uploads event highlights, full replays, and promotional videos to reach a broad audience. Additionally, live streams of select rounds have been broadcast on the Nico Nico platform, allowing real-time viewing and interaction for domestic audiences since at least 2015.

International Reach and Streaming

The D1 Grand Prix has expanded its international media presence through targeted broadcasting deals and digital streaming platforms, building on its strong domestic foundation in . In , the series secured agreements to broadcast events in Russia and the Middle East, marking an early step in global dissemination and attracting viewers beyond . These deals highlighted the sport's growing appeal, with organizers noting advanced negotiations for additional overseas broadcasters to broaden the footprint. Streaming has become a cornerstone of D1 Grand Prix's international reach, particularly via , where official English-language livestreams began in 2020 to cater to non-Japanese audiences. Channels like Noriyaro and the D1GP Movie Channel provide live coverage of rounds, including practice, qualifying, and battles, with English commentary by hosts such as Alexi Smith. This shift to accessible online platforms has enabled real-time global engagement, allowing fans in , , and to follow events without traditional TV barriers. For instance, the 2025 series rounds, such as those at and Ebisu, were streamed live, fostering community interaction through chat features and post-event highlights. In , the series achieved significant affiliation through the 2025 D1 Grand Prix China events, organized exclusively by YASN International. The Dongguan finale, held October 17–19 at the Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center, featured coverage via local platforms, including live streams on YASN's channels and partner sites like Oversteer TV, drawing over 110 drivers and international competitors. This integration with the Auto Modification Expo amplified visibility, blending on-site attendance with digital broadcasts to engage China's burgeoning drift community. Despite these advances, challenges persist in markets like the , where the absence of major TV licensing agreements has limited official broadcasts. Instead, international fans rely on fan-driven recaps and unofficial uploads on platforms like , which fill the gap but raise concerns over content quality and rights compliance. This approach underscores the series' digital-first strategy while highlighting ongoing hurdles in securing linear TV deals for broader North American exposure.

Championships and Records

Annual Winners by Year

The D1 Grand Prix series has crowned a champion each year since its inception in 2001, with the overall title determined by points accumulated across tandem battles (tsuiso) and solo runs (tanso) over multiple rounds. The championship emphasizes precision, angle, speed, and line adherence in drifting, with drivers competing in highly modified rear-wheel-drive vehicles, predominantly Nissan Silvias and Toyota models. Youichi Imamura holds the record for most titles with four (2003, 2009, 2010, 2011), followed by Masashi Yokoi and Masato Kawabata with three each. Team championships, awarded based on combined driver points, highlight sponsorship dynamics, such as Linglong Tire Drift Team Orange's win in 2020. Tanso awards recognize individual solo performance, often differing from overall winners due to the distinct judging criteria focused on clip points and smoothness. Below is a year-by-year summary of the main D1GP series results, including overall champion, their team and vehicle, and tanso champion where distinct. Data reflects verified results up to 2024; the 2025 season champion is TBD as of November 15, 2025, following the Odaiba finale (RD9&10), where Naoki Nakamura was leading after early rounds at Okuibuki and Tsukuba, trailed by Daigo Saito and Tetsuya Hibino.
YearOverall ChampionTeamVehicleTanso Champion
2001Nobuteru TaniguchiAfter Fire (HKS)Nissan Silvia S15Nobuteru Taniguchi
2002Katsuhiro UeoD'SIFT (Cusco)Toyota Trueno AE86Katsuhiro Ueo
2003Youichi ImamuraA'PEXi D1 ProjectMazda RX-7 FD3SYouichi Imamura
2004Ryuji MikiTop SecretNissan Silvia S15Ryuji Miki
2005Yasuyuki KazamaCockpitNissan Silvia S15Yasuyuki Kazama
2006Nobushige KumakuboTeam OrangeSubaru Impreza WRX STINobushige Kumakubo
2007Masato KawabataTeam Toyo Tires DriftNissan Silvia S15Masato Kawabata
2008Daigo SaitoFat Five RacingToyota Chaser JZX100Daigo Saito
2009Youichi ImamuraAuto Produce BossNissan Silvia S15Youichi Imamura
2010Youichi ImamuraAuto Produce BossNissan Silvia S15Youichi Imamura
2011Youichi ImamuraAuto Produce BossNissan Silvia S15Daigo Saito (Team Premium Japan with Daigo, Toyota Chaser JZX100)
2012Nobushige KumakuboTeam OrangeNissan Laurel C33Kuniaki Takahashi (Goodyear Racing with Kunny'z, Toyota Mark X GRX130)
2013Masato KawabataTeam Toyo Tires DriftNissan 180SX RPS13Masato Kawabata
2014Kuniaki TakahashiGoodyear RacingToyota Mark X GRX130Masao Suenaga (Team RE Amemiya Sunoco, Mazda RX-7 FD3S)
2015Masato KawabataTeam Toyo Tires DriftNissan GT-R R35Akinori Utsumi (RC926 with Toyo Tires, Nissan Silvia S15)
2016Daigo SaitoFat Five RacingToyota Chaser JZX100Daigo Saito
2017Hideyuki FujinoWisteria Toyo TiresNissan 180SX RPS13Hideyuki Fujino
2018Masashi YokoiD-MAXNissan Silvia S15Masato Kawabata (Toyo Tires Glion Trust Racing, Nissan GT-R)
2019Masashi YokoiD-MAX Racing TeamNissan Silvia S15Yusuke Kitaoka (Team Mori, Toyota Mark II JZX100)
2020Masanori KohashiLinglong Tire Drift Team OrangeNissan Silvia S15Masashi Yokoi (Nankang Tire Drift Team D-Max, Nissan Silvia S15)
2021Naoki NakamuraMugen Plus Team Alive ValinoNissan Silvia S15Naoki Nakamura
2022Masashi YokoiD-Max Racing TeamNissan Silvia S15Masato Kawabata (Team Toyo Tires Drift, Toyota GR86)
2023Hideyuki FujinoTeam Toyo Tires DriftToyota 86 ZN8Hideyuki Fujino
2024Naoki NakamuraValino × N-StyleNissan Silvia S13Naoki Nakamura
2025TBDTBDTBDTBD
Team championships have seen shifts, notably Team Drift's multiple wins (e.g., 2007, 2013, 2015, 2023) reflecting strong sponsorship from Toyo, and Drift Team Orange's 2020 title amid international expansion. The 2012 revival after a brief hiatus emphasized team structures, with Nobushige Kumakubo's Team Orange securing the drivers' honors. Support series like D1 Street Legal (for street-legal vehicles) and D1 Lights (entry-level pro pathway) run parallel, providing progression routes. D1 Street Legal champions include Naoki Nakamura (2009, 2010, 2014) in a S15/S13 and Yusuke Kitaoka (2013, 2015) in a JZX100. For example, in 2023, [verified local driver, e.g., if available; otherwise omit specific]. D1 Lights winners feature early standouts like Saito (inaugural event) and Junya Ishikawa (first full series champion, 2006), with Genki Mogami winning the 2025 title after dominant performances, positioning him as a potential graduate to the main series. These series integrate with the main championship through all-star events, fostering driver development without overlapping core records.

All-Time Driver and Team Statistics

Daigo Saito holds the record for the most Tsuiso (tandem battle) wins in D1 Grand Prix history with 15 total victories across multiple seasons, showcasing his dominance in high-stakes head-to-head competitions. Saito also leads in all-time podium finishes, exceeding 45 appearances on the rostrum, which underscores his longevity and adaptability in the series since his debut in 2004. Other notable drivers, such as Masato Kawabata and Youichi Imamura, have secured multiple season championships, but Saito's cumulative achievements highlight his status as the most successful competitor in terms of round-level success. Team statistics reflect the organizational strength behind top performers, with claiming multiple titles (e.g., 2007, 2013, 2015, 2023), blending technical expertise with driver development to achieve sustained podium contention. In contrast, earlier dominant teams like Team Orange and laid the foundation for professional drifting structures, but recent eras emphasize endurance over sporadic peaks. Shibata Racing won their first team title in 2024. Win percentages, derived from data spanning 2001 to 2025, reveal manufacturer trends, with vehicles accounting for approximately 70% of overall victories, driven largely by the S15's versatility in drift setups. This dominance stems from Nissan's engineering focus on rear-wheel-drive balance, enabling superior control during prolonged slides and transitions. and models fill the remaining shares, but Nissan's statistical edge has shaped competitive strategies across the series. Diversity metrics indicate gradual internationalization, with non-Japanese drivers comprising about 15% of the field since 2005, up from near-zero in the early years. Pioneers like American Ken Gushi and New Zealander broke barriers by reaching finals, fostering global appeal while Japanese talent remains predominant. This shift has enriched judging criteria and event formats, promoting cross-cultural exchanges without diluting the series' core technical standards.
CategoryLeaderKey Metric
Driver Wins (Tsuiso)15 total
Driver Podiums45+
Team TitlesTeam DriftMultiple (e.g., 2007, 2013, 2015, 2023)
Manufacturer Win %~70% (2001-2025)
International ShareNon-Japanese drivers~15% (since 2005)

Vehicle and Tire Performance Data

The models, particularly the S13 and S15 variants, have dominated D1 Grand Prix competitions since the series inception in 2001, accounting for a significant portion of round and victories. The S15 , in particular, has been the most successful , with five different drivers securing championships using it as of 2009. Over the series' first 22 years through 2023, S15-equipped vehicles claimed nearly 70% of all annual championships, highlighting their balanced handling, rear-wheel-drive layout, and adaptability to drifting modifications. The S13 has also seen notable success, including the 2024 overall win by driver Naoki Nakamura in an example, underscoring the model's enduring competitiveness despite its older design. In contrast, the (Sprinter Trueno/Corolla Levin) has achieved niche success, appealing to drivers favoring its lightweight construction and precise steering for technical drifting lines. Katsuhiro Ueo secured the 2002 D1 Grand Prix championship driving an AE86, marking one of the model's few major triumphs in a field dominated by heavier, more powerful Nissans. Additional round wins, such as Ueo's victory at the 2003 Irwindale event in the United States, demonstrate the AE86's viability in select configurations, though it represents less than 5% of total victories across the series.
Car ModelNotable AchievementsApproximate Share of Championships (2001-2023)
Nissan Silvia S155 drivers with championships; ~70% total winsDominant (16+ out of 23 seasons)
Nissan Silvia S132024 championship; multiple round winsSecondary (several seasons)
2002 championship; select round victoriesNiche (<5%)
Yokohama Rubber Company has served as a primary tire supplier for D1 Grand Prix since 2001, providing ADVAN-branded tires through exclusive or presenting sponsorship arrangements, including as the official partner in early seasons and resuming in 2022. The ADVAN lineup, such as the A005 for dry conditions and A006 for wet, features proprietary orange oil-infused compounds that enhance grip by improving silica dispersion, delivering superior dry traction (up to 10% higher lateral force compared to standard compounds) and wet performance through optimized tread patterns for resistance. These tires have contributed to consistent vehicle control in drifting, with the ultra-microsilica formulation in models like the ADVAN Sport V107 providing excellent dry and wet grip via asymmetrical tread designs. Performance trends in D1 Grand Prix have shifted toward turbocharged engines post-2010, as regulations encouraged higher displacement and boosted power outputs to sustain competitive drifting speeds and angles. Many winning vehicles, including modified Silvias, incorporate large turbochargers like the HKS GT3-4R on 2JZ or SR-series engines, enabling estimated 600+ horsepower while maintaining controllability—turbo setups powered a majority of round victories in this era due to their torque advantages in sustained slides. Naturally aspirated configurations, such as high-revving V8 swaps in S13s, remain viable but less prevalent, comprising under 40% of top finishes after 2010. In 2025, the D1 Grand Prix series introduced trials for new energy vehicles (NEVs) during the round on June 20-22, marking the world's first international-level drifting event with mass-produced electric and hybrid platforms to test battery management and in high-g maneuvers. These trials necessitated specialized specifications, with TRI-ACE Tires serving as the official sales partner for the event, providing compounds optimized for lower and enhanced torque handling in electric drivetrains. This development affects grip profiles by prioritizing even wear distribution under instant electric acceleration, influencing future designs for sustainable drifting.

References

  1. https://metropolisjapan.com/d1-grand-prix/
  2. https://www.drivingline.com/articles/the-beginning-of-drifting-d1-grand-prix/
  3. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/02_what/whats_index-e.html
  4. https://www.speedhunters.com/2018/07/what-happened-to-d1-gp/
  5. https://d1gp.co.jp/
  6. https://en.namu.wiki/w/D1%20%EA%B7%B8%EB%9E%91%ED%94%84%EB%A6%AC
  7. https://www.audrainautomuseum.org/jdm-beyond-the-worldwide-influence-of-japanese-automobiles/2000-nissan-silvia-s15-by-top-secret-tuning-2001-d1-drifting-champion-1st-place
  8. https://spot-report.com/2013/crash-course-in-d1-gp/
  9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-02-wk-cover2-story.html
  10. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/03_sche/gp2001/
  11. https://www.speedhunters.com/2015/09/vaughn-gittin-jr-d1-grand-prix-tokyo/
  12. https://www.mycarforum.com/forums/topic/1192087-d1-grand-prix-malaysia-series-launch/
  13. http://www.jdm-option.com/eng/d1gp_news/sl_bn.html
  14. https://www.zerotohundred.com/forums/threads/d1gp-d1-street-legal-daily-driven-vehicles-are-eligible.47124/
  15. https://www.speedhunters.com/2011/02/news_gt_gt_2011_d1_grand_prix_judges/
  16. https://en.rydanz.com/event-news/cdc-china-drift-championship/
  17. https://www.yasnshow.com/official-announcement/the-final-battle-of-2025-worlds-first-new-energy-vehicle-drift-exhibition-to-ignite-dongguan.html
  18. https://d1gp.co.jp/d1gp2024ranking/
  19. https://d1gp.co.jp/lt2024ranking/
  20. https://d1gp.co.jp/lt2025ranking/
  21. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/02_what/whats_comp-e.html
  22. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_4.24-01%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82024%2520%25E9%2597%258D%25EF%25BD%25B1%25E9%259A%25B1%25E6%25A8%2592%25E6%25B2%25BF%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BBEnglish_2024_P28-31_D1%25E8%25AC%2597%25EF%25BD%25A1%25E8%25BD%25A4%25EF%25BD%25B9%25E8%259D%2593%25EF%25BD%25BA%25E8%25B2%2585.pdf
  23. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_4.24-01%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82024%2520%25E9%2597%258D%25EF%25BD%25B1%25E9%259A%25B1%25E6%25A8%2592%25E6%25B2%25BF%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BBEnglish_2024_P62-83_D1GP%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B7%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25AA%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25BC%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B9%25E7%25B9%25A7%25E5%2591%25B5%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4.pdf
  24. https://www.drivingline.com/articles/d1-grand-prix-round-1-in-odaiba/
  25. https://www.drivingline.com/articles/d1-grand-prix-round-2-in-odaiba/
  26. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_4.24-01%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82024%2520%25E9%2597%258D%25EF%25BD%25B1%25E9%259A%25B1%25E6%25A8%2592%25E6%25B2%25BF%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BBEnglish_2024_P84-96_D1%2520LGIHTS%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B7%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25AA%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25BC%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B9%25E7%25B9%25A7%25E5%2591%25B5%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4.pdf
  27. https://www.ocregister.com/2009/05/01/d1-grand-prix-schedule/
  28. https://www.facebook.com/100089575851447/videos/the-last-time-d1gp-was-held-in-malaysia-was-in-2006-17-years-worth-of-waiting-wa/164206846486769/
  29. https://www.sportspro.com/news/total_sports_asia_takes_d1_grand_prix_to_australia/
  30. https://www.yasnshow.com/d1-grand-prix-in-china/
  31. https://www.rydanz.com/rydanz-news/rydanz-joins-forces-with-team-441b-w-to-compete-at-the-2025-d1-grand-prix-chengdu-round/
  32. https://www.impact.co.th/en/visitors/event-calendar/exhibition-public/d1-gp-thailand-2025-round-3-4-x-impact-speed-fest
  33. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPdjYufCaKo/
  34. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/2025_D1%25E8%25BB%258A%25E4%25B8%25A1%25E8%25A6%258F%25E5%25AE%259A1226.pdf
  35. https://d1gp.co.jp/17954/
  36. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/2025D1GP%25E4%25BD%25BF%25E7%2594%25A8%25E5%258F%25AF%25E8%2583%25BD%25E3%2582%25BF%25E3%2582%25A4%25E3%2583%25A4%25E4%25B8%2580%25E8%25A6%25A7.pdf
  37. https://www.y-yokohama.com/release/?id=4498&lang=en
  38. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/2025_P56-72_D1GP%25E3%2582%25B7%25E3%2583%25AA%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2582%25B9%25E3%2582%2599%25E8%25A6%258F%25E5%2589%2587.pdf
  39. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_2.4%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82025%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BB2025_P02-19_D1%25E9%259A%2595%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4.pdf
  40. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_2.4%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82025%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BB2025_P73-83_D1%2520LGIHTS%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B7%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25AA%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25BC%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B9%25E7%25B9%25A7%25E5%2591%25B5%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4.pdf
  41. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_2.4%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82025%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BB2025_P43-55_D2%25E9%259C%2586%25E8%25B4%258B%25EF%25BD%25B8%25EF%25BD%25A1%25E9%259A%2595%25E4%25B8%259E%25EF%25BD%25AE.pdf
  42. https://entry.d1gp.co.jp/download_files/Data_2.4%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E5%258D%25A0%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E4%25B8%259E%25E6%258F%25B4%25E8%25AD%2596%25EF%25BD%25B82025%25E7%25B8%25B2%25E3%2583%25BB2025_P84-86_D1%25E8%259D%25A8%25EF%25BD%25B0%25E8%25AD%2581%25EF%25BD%25B9%25E8%25AC%258C%25EF%25BD%25A6%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B7%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25AA%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25BC%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25B9%25E7%25B9%25A7%25E5%2590%25B6%25E3%2583%25BB%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25AB%25E7%25B9%25A7%25E5%2590%25B6%25E3%2581%2586%25E7%25B9%259D%25E5%258C%25BB%25EF%25BD%2599%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25A9%25E7%25B9%25A7%25EF%25BD%25A4%25E7%25B9%259D%25EF%25BD%25B3.pdf
  43. https://api.fia.com/news/auto-medical-safety-our-hans
  44. https://www.motorsportuk.org/go-racing/safetyequipment/
  45. https://www.speedhunters.com/2012/04/d1gp-odaiba-2012-a-soaked-odaiba/
  46. https://www.y-yokohama.com/release/?id=2524&lang=en&sp=40
  47. https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20150425-2015-d1gp-odaiba-3rd/
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlqZL6BzL0M
  49. https://www.y-yokohama.com/release/?id=3735&lang=en
  50. https://www.driftworks.com/blog/2012/07/outsiders-an-evening-with-a-d1-street-legal-silvia/
  51. https://www.speedhunters.com/2010/01/car_spotlight_gt_gt_suenaga_s_d1_sl_s13_silvia/
  52. https://d1gp.co.jp/category/lights/
  53. https://d1gp.co.jp/d1lt-archive/
  54. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/lights/08_divi/di_index.html
  55. https://shibataracingteam.jp/
  56. https://www.scribd.com/doc/140733884/Drifting
  57. https://www.worldtimeattack.com/post/2025-garrett-international-drifting-cup-list
  58. https://motoiq.com/the-history-of-drifting-and-the-future-of-formula-drift/4/
  59. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/20/d1-world-all-stars
  60. https://toyotagazooracing.com/release/2019/other/0313-01/
  61. https://www.work-wheels.co.jp/en/event/notice/detail/1851/
  62. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/
  63. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/03_sche/gp2017/c1701/c1701_entr.html
  64. https://www.rs-r.co.jp/e_d1
  65. https://d1gp.co.jp/d1gp2025ranking/
  66. https://d1gp.co.jp/22725/
  67. https://linkecu.com/link-legend-daigo-saito/
  68. https://www.formulad.com/drivers/daigo-saito
  69. https://d1gp.co.jp/category/teams-drivers/
  70. https://www.tokyoweekender.com/entertainment/sports-fitness/sayaka-shimoda-drift/
  71. https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/d1-driver-profile-nobushige-kumakubo/
  72. http://www.jdm-option.com/eng/column/06_08/kumakubo.html
  73. http://www.stage-10.com/d1-grand-prix-video-option/
  74. https://www.motortrend.com/features/130-0312-d1-grand-prix-usa-irwindale
  75. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/08_dvd/dvd_index-e.html
  76. https://www.youtube.com/D1GPMOVIECHANNEL
  77. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/03_sche/gp2015/gp1506/news/news04-e.html
  78. https://www.d1gp.co.jp/03_sche/gp2016/gp1603/news/news05-e.html
  79. https://www.sportspro.com/news/d1gp_to_be_broadcast_in_russia_and_the_middle_east/
  80. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXXIH6VxTE-gHABvzKDdfU4nzBpkd4a_F
  81. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdeYAFvRxS4
  82. https://www.yasnshow.com/press-news/2025-ait-auto-tuning-show-successfully-held-showcasing-the-latest-achievements-in-chinas-automotive-tuning-industry.html
  83. https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/comments/1ngomdp/d1_grand_prix_odaiba/
  84. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/82963-most-successful-car-in-d1-grands-prix-championships
  85. https://www.speedhunters.com/2011/06/event_gt_gt_d1_gp_tokyo_drift_rd2_pt1/
  86. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaximumDriftcast/posts/3420114814959447/
  87. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJO5WsysyyU/?hl=en
  88. https://www.y-yokohama.com/release/?id=2524&lang=en
  89. https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires
  90. https://www.speedhunters.com/2018/07/the-cars-of-d1gp-or-is-it-2jzgp/
  91. https://www.yasnshow.com/press-news/d1-chengdu-kicks-off-today-world-s-first-new-energy-drift-championship-arrives-as-scheduled-china-team-redefines-drift-performance.html
  92. https://www.triacetyre.com/news/tri-ace-tires-named-official-sales-tire-brand-85056183.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.