Formula Drift Champion Rejected At US Border Ahead Of This Weekend’s Round, Forced Back To Japan
Formula Drift’s 2012 champion, Daigo Saito, was turned away at the airport and forced to return to Japan while trying to make his way to this weekend’s FD round.
Image credit: Formula Drift | Larry Chen
Having competed at every stop on the calendar in 2025 so far, Saito once again planned on returning for Round 5 (Crossroads) at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, to drive the Jerry Yang Racing Toyota GR86. Instead, he’s back in Japan trying to figure out where it all went wrong.
There’s also talk that his teammate, Hiroya Minowa, also received a warning before being let in.
Image credit: Formula Drift | Larry Chen
It’s currently unclear whether this was a result of incorrect visa paperwork or something more significant. If that’s the case, it could be concerning, especially if other U.S.-based racing series face similar challenges with their international competitors.
Of course, fans are already joking that Diego Santos wouldn’t have this problem. But, all kidding aside, it raises real questions about whether this is a minor mix-up or a genuine concern for international competitors that frequently venture in and out of the country in the future.
Image credit: Formula Drift | Larry Chen
The good news for the fans is that Jerry Yang didn’t let the BAPE-wrapped GR86 sit there collecting dust for the weekend. So who steps in?
Drifting Stig!
After confusion swirled around the paddock with talk about Daigo not being there, yet his car going out and shredding, it soon became clear that the pilot was Shinji Minowa – Hiroya’s father, and a drifting OG.
Despite taking the opportunity to put on a show for the fans, he is not eligible to compete in qualifying or competition heats.
No word yet on whether Saito will be able to compete in the remaining rounds or whether this could be a long-term issue.
Image credit: Formula Drift | Larry Chen
Going into this round, he’s currently far lower than he’d like to be, currently occupying 24th place in the rankings. This could easily see him slip even further down, given that he’ll get zero points.
Even before the visa issues, it certainly hasn’t been the return the former champion would have hoped for. Hopefully, the situation can be resolved quickly.
We’re yet to see him showcase his talent in FD this year, and the three remaining rounds could offer the perfect opportunity to silence the critics.
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
You can learn more about Bill’s story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.
