Keiichi Tsuchiya Discusses Formula DRIFT And The Future Of Drifting

The “Drift King” reveals his unconventional drifting journey, discusses why he recommends the Mercedes C63, and his confusion with Formula DRIFT judging.

Street Alpha Podcast recently landed an incredible exclusive with the legendary Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya, delivering a treasure trove of never-before-heard stories about his journey into drifting and his thoughts on how the sport has evolved.

In this in-depth interview, Tsuchiya drops some jaw-dropping revelations that might surprise even the most dedicated drift fans. For instance, did you know his first drift car wasn’t the iconic AE86, but actually the Toyota 2000GT?

And, in a moment that left the interviewer visibly stunned, the Drift King casually recommended the Mercedes C63 as one of today’s best drift cars for younger drivers getting into drifting – that was one we didn’t expect to hear!

The interview reveals Tsuchiya’s unconventional beginnings in the snowy streets of Nagano Prefecture with a humble KP61 Starlet, where snow-drifting practice would become fundamental to his legendary technique.

He also describes his role in The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, where he played what he humorously calls “a super Monk” who could judge driving quality just by listening to the sound of the cars.

Tsuchiya shows his playful side when discussing modern drifting, particularly Formula D’s judging style. He admits he often can’t tell who’s winning under the current system – a surprisingly candid confession from (arguably) the sport’s greatest icon!

Want to know what car the Drift King himself ranks as the ultimate drifting machine? Or what he thinks about the future of motorsports in the age of EVs?

Check out the full interview above for the fascinating revelations from the master himself. It’s packed with incredible insights about drifting’s evolution from an underground “drift tribe” movement to a global phenomenon.

Written by Joe Terrell

Joe is an avid writer and car enthusiast. When he's not cruising the streets alongside his friends in his Nissan Silvia S15, he's drifting on his VR racing simulator.

Joe's passion for cars is always on display. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the automotive industry, he hopes his writing conveys his excitement and knowledge of cars and games.

Joe's work has been featured on many platforms including drivetribe.com, 180sx.club, carthrottle.com, smartdrivinggames.com, smartbikegames.com, databox.com and ceoblognation.com.

When he's not behind the wheel or at his keyboard, he's likely daydreaming of his ultimate ride - the legendary Lexus LFA.

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