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TANIGUCHI, FORMULA D DRIFT Demonstration PR
HKS USA, INC. AND NOBUTERU TANIGUCHI ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH FORMULA DRIFT TO HOST DEMONSTRATIONS AT UPCOMING EVENTS
-- NOB to Provide Demonstrations and Rare Media Ride Alongs --
LOS ANGELES (May 2, 2007) – HKS USA, Inc., the premier manufacturer and supplier of automotive performance systems and parts, today announced its exclusive partnership with Formula Drift (Formula D) to bring one of the most prolific motor sports figures in Japan to the Formula D racing series. As part of the new partnership, Nobuteru Taniguchi will be lighting up the track with tire burning drift demonstrations and select news outlets will have the rare opportunity to ride “Shotgun” with Taniguchi. The new drift demonstrations are set to kick-off at Formula D’s second race May 11-12, 2007 at Road Atlanta.
Nobuteru Taniguchi is the most widely recognized Japanese motor sports figures ever to get behind the wheel of a race car. He is best known for his versatile driving ability and composure behind the wheel. As part of Taniguchi’s track demonstration in the HKS Drift Altezza, he will also be providing select members of the media with a rare opportunity to participate in a ride along. HKS has partnered with Toyo Tires and Volk Racing Wheels as the official tire and wheel sponsors of the HKS Altezza for these demonstrations.
HKS and Taniguchi have teamed up since 2001, when Taniguchi piloted the HKS D1 Silvia, and won the D1 Grand Prix Series Championship. Taniguchi continued to pilot HKS D1 machines through 2005, but the HKS and Taniguchi tandem did not stop with drifting. Taniguchi’s grip driving skills also placed him behind the wheel of the HKS TRB-02 and CT230R Time Attack Mitsubishi Evolutions. Taniguchi’s driving skills and HKS’ technical prowess combined for an unmatched force in Time Attack. Most recently, Taniguchi raced the HKS CT230R into the Time Attack record books running a 53’589, which made it the first car ever to run in the 53 second range at Tsukuba Circuit, Japan.
Taniguchi’s passion for racing has allowed him to compete in many different types of racing series, including two of the better known Japanese racing series - Super GT (formerly JGTC) and Super Taikyu. Taniguchi first competed in Japan’s GT series in 2002 driving the RE Amemiya RX-7, and in 2006 drove the direxiv/Enable Vemac, finishing 3rd overall in the GT300 driver’s standings. Taniguchi and long time friend Manabu Orido, raced the Advan Porsche to the 2005 Super Taikyu Championship, winning seven races out of eight. For 2007 Taniguchi has return to Super GT co-driving the Yunker Power Taisan Porsche, and has already reached the podium in just his second race behind the wheel.
The HKS and Taniguchi combination has not been limited to Japan; in 2005 Taniguchi drove the HKS USA Mitsubishi Evolution in the Car and Driver Super Tuner Challenge. Racing against top US manufacturers and tuners, and premier US racing car drivers, Taniguchi and HKS once again found themselves on the top of the podium beating the nearest competitor by three seconds, and setting the day’s fasted ¼ mile, 0-60, and road course time. In 2006, Taniguchi piloted the HKS-sponsored Speed Source RX-8 in the Grand Am Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway. Taniguchi out qualified all the other RX-8s competing, including David Haskell’s #70 Speed Source RX-8; Haskell was the 2005 and 2004 Grand AM ST class champion and in ’05 he won and qualified P1 at Phoenix.
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