REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio—Kenda Tire USA Inc. is broadening its Vezda ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire line and adding five drivers to its Formula DRIFT Pro lineup this year, including a three-time champion.
Kenda debuted in Formula DRIFT in 2023 and has signed a three-year extension with the racing series. All 10 Team Kenda drivers will use the company's new Vezda UHP Max+ tire.
The tire uses advanced silica-infused compounds and is "built to provide race-winning speed and street-ready durability" in line with Kenda's Podium2Pavement initiative, the company said.
Among the attributes of the Vezda UHP Max+ are:
- Grip, control: High-performance tread compounds ensure maximum surface adhesion for sharp turns;
- Precision handling at high speeds: Optimized tread pattern enhances control, reducing understeer and oversteer;
- Durability: Designed to resist heat cycling and wear across multiple drift runs; and
- Street-ready performance: As a DOT-approved, 200tw tire, it offers track-level grip and real-world drivability.
- Proven in Open Competition – Developed and tested in Formula DRIFT, grassroots drifting,
"Kenda's Max+ technology delivers an unprecedented blend of track aggression and daily reliability," Brandon Stotsenburg, vice president of automotive at Kenda Tire, said.
"Drivers want a tire that can push the limits on race day while still being dependable for everyday use. The Vezda UHP Max+ isn't just another performance tire—it's a game-changer in competitive drifting and beyond.
"Equally important, the technologies developed in this tire directly translate to our other Vezda products used every day by consumers."
The new Team Kenda drivers in Formula DRIFT Pro this year are:
- Fredric Aasbo, of Norway, Papadakis Racing, three-time Formula DRIFT Pro Champion, Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra.
- Ryan Tuerck, U.S., Papadakis Racing, Rain-X Toyota GR Corolla.
- Simen Olsen, Norway, Simen Olsen Drifting, 2021 FD Rookie of the Year, Toyota GR Supra.
- Daniel Stuke U.S., MspeK Performance Nissan Silvia Spec-R.
- Austin Matta U.S., Austin Matta Motorsports Nissan S14.
They will join Team Kenda's existing lineup of:
- Ken Gushi, Japan, Three's Racing, Greddy Racing Moty's Toyota GR86.
- Jhonnattan Castro, Dominican Republic, Jhonnattan Castro Racing, LTH, Mobil 1/Toyota GR86.
- Nick Noback, U.S., Noback Racing Co., Kenda Tires Noback Racing BMW E46.
- Jonathan Hurst, U.S., Cash Racing, MRCOOL Cadillac XLR.
- Derek Madison, U.S., Team Infamous, Fuelab, IG Motorsports.com S14.
