Daijiro Yoshihara

Fan Favorite Drifter From Japan Now Joins Team Falken in the Discount Tire Lexus IS350


While a new addition to Team Falken in 2009, Daijiro "Dai" Yoshihara is the veteran drifter on the squad. With 10 years of competition under his belt, Dai, who hails from Tokyo, is both extremely competitive behind the wheel and is just as popular outside the car. He has received the "Best Style" award by his peers for two straight years and is a stand-out among the drivers for his legendary "look" and signature hairstyle.

This competitor embraces all fields of sport, enjoying surfing, snowboarding and earning championships in darts. He also is a prolific writer, and his blog can be viewed on the GT Channel website. He doesn't offer too much advice, however, as he needs to maintain his edge while piloting his lightened and completely rebuilt Lexus IS350, which features a normally aspirated Haselgreen-built V8 delivering over 750 hp, through the demanding drifting courses, running on Falken Azenis RT-615 tires.

Dai enjoyed a successful 2008 season, taking 2nd place in the Red Bull World Championships and finished in 4th overall in the ultra competitive Formula D Series. For 2009, with the support of Team Falken and Discount Tire, Dai\'s expectations are set higher, as he is earnest about moving up several notches and scoring top place in more rounds and finishing on the top rung of the series championship."I feel so happy that I can participate as a driver for Team Falken," Dai notes.

As popular with the fans as he is with his fellow drivers, Dai states, "I want to please our drift fans this year making use of my skills developed from my many past experiences. At the same time, for my new team, I want to do my best to be able to end this season with the best result for myself!"