As the 2009 season is now a distant memory, the dawn of the New Year is upon us! 2010 cannot come any sooner for Team Falken Tire Discount Tire driver Daijiro (Dai) Yoshihara. It was a challenging year for Dai, his first with the team, as he strived to find his footing in a new car while working with an all new crew in the ultra-competitive Formula Drift Series. Still, Dai’s talent and experience shined through in the end with back-to-back top 16’s in Round 6 & 7 and a 6th place finish in the season-ending event at Irwindale. Despite his early season struggles, Dai managed to finish 11th place overall in the final standings, a true testament to his poise, competitiveness and drifting skills.
Returning for a 4th season with the Falken Tire Discount Tire team is crew-chief and car builder, Scott Dodgion of SPD Metal Works in Anaheim, CA. While new body styling and a set of new wheels will improve the appearance of the brilliant red and white machine, engine upgrades and modifications look to push the 6.0 liter, LS-2 V8 power-plant over 650 horsepower! A new gear set-up in the rear-end will help Dai negotiate his drift runs with more predictability and improve the overall performance of the Discount Tire-clad drift machine!
“I’m so happy to be back in the Discount Tire car for a chance at the 2010 championship!” says Dai. “My desire to win is stronger than usual. I really, really want to do well next season. 2010 is a revenge-year for myself. It’s my time to come back and push harder for Discount Tire and the entire Falken team”, adds Dai. “I am thankful towards Falken and Discount Tire for believing in me.”
Dai’s signature hairstyle helps him maintain his status as one the series’ most recognizable and popular drivers. During the offseason, Dai’s popularity and skill-level led to his participation in a drift test and photo shoot for a January 2010 Road & Track magazine feature and numerous articles on drift websites and blogs.
With the support of the entire team and multiple upgrades, 2010 looks to be a banner year for Dai Yoshihara in the Falken Tire Discount Tire Nissan 240sx S-13!
