RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Giti Tire USA Ltd. has agreed to extend its competition tire supply partnership with Formula DRIFT for three more years.
The agreement covers the company's GT Radial brand for racers competing in Formula DRIFT's PRO Championship. Financial details were not disclosed.
At the same time, Giti Tire and Formula DRIFT reconfirmed the GT Radial brand as the official tire of the series' ProSpec series for lesser-experienced, up-and-coming drivers.
All drivers will compete on street-legal GT Radial Champiro SX2 RS tires, which are produced at Giti Tire's passenger and light truck tire plant in Richburg, S.C.
We're extremely pleased to have GT Radial commit to another three years with the series and continue to support ProSpec for at least another two," Formula DRIFT President Ryan Sage said.
"As we continue to promote the importance of ProSpec to ensure a strong contingent of qualified drivers are able to be promoted to the PRO Championship each year, it's good to know they're using some of the best tires available to prepare the drivers for the next step in their careers."
Giti Tire was an official tire supplier to Formula DRIFT the past three seasons, earning second place in the series' Tire Cup this year behind Nitto Tire. Besides GT Radial and Nitto, there were three other tire brands approved for use in 2022 in Formula DRIFT — Falken, Federal and Nexen.
"Formula DRIFT has proven to be an excellent showcase for our American-engineered, American-produced Champiro SX2 RS tires," GT Radial Motorsports Manager Mike Meeiem said, "so we are thrilled to renew our partnership.
"Team members at our South Carolina plant take great pride in the performance of their tires in the world's most demanding drifting competition, and they had a lot to cheer about this year."
Formula DRIFT is planning nine race weekends in 2023, starting April 7-8 on the streets of Long Beach, Calif., and wrapping up Oct. 13-14 at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif.
Four of the race weekends will include ProSpec competition.
