Last Updated on June 15, 2025
Why Falken Was a Big Name in Drift Championships
The story of Falken Tires and Drift Racing is one of the best in the car industry. Very rarely does the brand philosophy and approach fit a motorsport series, so ideally, “match made in heaven” is a perfect description. Better yet, it is a “match made in Japan” since both the Faken Tires and drift culture originated from the land of the rising sun. To make things even more interesting, the introduction of the Falken Tires as a brand in 1983 matches the rise of drift racing as a part of Japan’s automotive subculture.
It looks like it was destined for Falken Tire as a brand and drifting as a motorsport form to conquer the racing world together. Today, we will look at why Falken was such a big name in drift championships and how it became a defining force in the sport.
What Is Drifting?
Before we go further, let’s cover the basics of drift racing for those who don’t know much about it. Contrary to standard car racing, where you will be the first to the checkered flag, fastest, or cover the distance in the least amount of time, drift racing rules are entirely different. Speed is not the most important here, although the drift cars deliver impressive power outputs.
In drifting, the driver slides the vehicle through the course with attention to the line, the angle of the slide, the speed, and the overall style of the drift. The idea is to keep the vehicle sideways all the time, produce smoky and massive drifts, display impressive precision and vehicle control, deliver slides at incredible angles, and do it all with unique style and flair.
The Popularity Of Drift Racing
As a competition form, drifting emerged in Japan in the ’70s from the “Touge Racing” scene. The word “touge” means “mountain pass” in Japanese and was the term given to underground racers who used curvy mountain roads for illegal racing. Back in those days, the Japanese market was full of small and light rear-wheel-drive cars that could be easily modified to perform and handle better, and pretty soon, drivers realized that sliding through the curves was just as fun and promoted driver’s skills and talents, just like the standard form of street racing. By the mid-80s, drifting in Japan had crossed the mainstream.
Kunimitsu Takahashi (widely regarded as the father of the sport) organized many competitions and introduced numerous younger drivers to drifting as a motorsport form. From the very beginning of the drift culture, Falken tires were an irreplaceable part of the scene. As a brand, Falken was established to offer high-performance tires, and early drift racers accepted it as a default rubber for their cars.
By the late ’90s, drifting was mainly limited to Japan and other Asian countries, but then, it started gaining popularity in the USA and Europe. Very soon, global drifting championships like the D1 Grand Prix or Formula D were established, attracting numerous talented drivers, major sponsors, and venues. Today, almost 50 years after talented Japanese drivers started sliding their small coupes on the side of the mountains at night, drifting is a prime motorsport discipline with millions of fans all over the world.
However, one of the greatest things about the drift culture is its base in grassroots and amateur championships. In most motorsports, in order to really be competitive or achieve any noticeable results, you’ll need to invest substantial sums of money in racing cars. But drifting is different. You don’t need an expensive car to have fun and develop your skills, and you can start racing on a tight budget. Any old and rear-wheel-drive car with welded diff lowered suspension and a set of drift tires will be a great place to start. The budget-friendly nature only helped promote the popularity of the drift culture in the world and inspired countless young enthusiasts to get involved with the sport.
Why Are The Tires The Most Important Part Of The Drift Car?
Like any racing machine, drift cars are highly modified cars that only resemble the stock models from which they are derived. Apart from powerful and often turbocharged engines, drift cars are known for their modified suspensions, brakes (high-powered handbrake assembly), steering rack that is capable of delivering increased steering angles, lowered suspension, lightweight body, and tires, with the latter being a very interesting part of the whole car.
As we all know, drifting is done by controlled oversteering and smoky slides on the track, with the rear wheels spinning much faster than the front. This means that tires on the drift car have particular tasks. The front ones need to be grippy to steer the car at any speed safely, but the rear ones need to be able to maintain grip to some point, then lose it, perform drifting, and not completely dissolve in the process. These are very contradictory requirements, and drifting is far more aggressive to tires than any other motorsport discipline in the automotive world.
Why Was Falken A Big Name In Drifting?
Falken was the most crucial name in drift championships, not just because this company was involved in the very beginning of the culture in ’80s Japan but because Falken was the first tire company to fully understand the potential of the sport. It helped to turn drifting from a small niche sport into a mainstream global motorsport attraction by sponsoring drift events worldwide, with numerous racers and their cars. You have probably heard about Vaughn Gittin Jr., James Deane, and Matt Field. These drivers, once associated with Falken, were valuable promoters who helped showcase the brand’s dominance in drifting.
Investing heavily in promoting drifting championships and successful drivers and sponsoring the cars made the Falken livery and brand name globally recognizable, even in areas where drift culture is uncommon. The Falken livery even appeared on the popular Hot Wheels toy cars, introducing the youngest generation of drifting fans.
However, despite all the marketing and promotional success, the real achievement was invaluable know-how, research, and development that Falken got from numerous drifting events. This helped me understand the physics of extreme driving, set the industry’s standards, develop advanced rubber compounds, and perfect tire production. One of the most important things was establishing the grip-to-slip balance, which is essential for controlled drifts and is a crucial factor in proper drift tires. The more the Falken invested in drift championships, teams, and drivers, the better their tires got, further improving the company’s respect.
Involved since the early 2000s and the beginning of the drift culture in the US, Falken tires have been used by countless drivers. Let’s name just a few memorable moments. In 2010, Vaughan Gittin Jr., driving the Falken Ford Mustang, won the Formula Drift Championship, which Daijiro Yoshihara repeated in the Falken Nissan 240 SX in 2011.
In 2017, Falken Nissan S15, driven by James Deane, also won the Formula D Championship. Regardless of the driver’s success, Falken, as a company, won several Tire Manufacturer Championships, which shows how impressive and competent their products are. Most drift tires used in competitions are street legal; they have summer compound and specific treads, so fans know the exact tire that won the race can also be mounted on their cars.
Although Falken played a significant role in the rise of drifting, the company has since shifted its focus away from the sport and is no longer actively participating in major drift championships.
Best Street-Legal Falken Tire For Drifting In 2025
Falken AZENIS RT615K+
Designed for performance compacts, sports coupes, sedans, and muscle cars, the AZENIS RT615K+ is a popular choice among drifting enthusiasts.
Features:
- High-Grip Tread Compound: Ensures excellent traction and consistent grip during high-speed maneuvers.
- Solid Center Rib: Enhances handling response and high-speed stability.
- Internal Construction: Incorporates a high-tension carcass and steel belts for durability and performance.
Specifications:
- Available Sizes: 15″ to 21″ rim diameters.
- Treadwear Rating: 200.
- Traction Rating: AA.
- Temperature Rating: A.
- Price: From $117 per tire
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Conclusion
Falken Tires played a crucial role in shaping the global drift racing scene, from its early adoption in Japan to its dominance in professional championships. As one of the first tire brands to recognize the potential of drifting, Falken’s commitment to innovation and sponsorship helped turn the sport into a mainstream motorsport attraction. However, in recent years, Falken has shifted its focus away from professional drift racing, stepping back from sponsoring major championships and teams.
Despite this change, Falken’s impact on the drift world remains undeniable. Its tire technology, developed through years of competition, continues to influence the industry, and its iconic livery is still recognized by motorsport fans worldwide. While Falken may no longer be an active force in professional drifting, its legacy lives on through the countless drivers and enthusiasts who helped build the sport with its legendary rubber. Although Falken has moved away from competitive drifting, the company continues to focus on high-performance tires for street and track applications, ensuring that its innovations remain relevant for enthusiasts worldwide.
