Dai Yoshihara: Success Fueled Super Powers

Well, these “super humans” put their pants on one leg at a time, eat, drink, laugh, and cry, but also conquer extreme challenges in the face of adversity and then try again even when they fail. Focusing in, these individuals are no different than most people in our lives. When it comes to motorsports, as enthusiasts, we must admit, it is hard to look at our heroes within this community as less than super human considering the incredible odds they are against each and every day. We watch, place ourselves in the driver's seat, and dream about the adrenaline, the experience, and the victories that affect their being. Again, these people were not born with oil in their veins, grease under their nails, wearing a helmet and a fire suit with hands gripping a steering wheel. We will find that they are just like us but, with a specific voice in their head motivating them to push, pursue, and succeed by any means necessary. When we learn the stories about iconic drivers who, like us, started their journeys from unexpected places, it is that much more inspiring and empowering to keep trying and pushing, no matter what we choose to achieve.

It's hard not to wonder about the individuals behind the wheel of these cars and what led them to pursue such a thrilling but dangerous hobby or, in some cases, profession. Looking around the paddock or even looking within our small circle of friends, we may know a story first hand from a personal acquaintance. Born in Hachiōji, Tokyo Prefecture of Japan in December of 1978 was someone not very different from you or I or the person sharing your passion for motorsports, the car culture, and community. Daijiro "Dai" Yoshihara grew up on that small East Asian island in the Pacific Ocean approximately 6,000 miles away from the U.S. living a life most of us cannot relate to but with feelings and dreams very familiar to the average kid and young man. “Watching Best Motoring videos and Super GT on TV hooked me as a kid.”, Yoshihara explained. “When I first started drifting, there was no such thing as professional drifting. It was just part of street racing. I wasn’t aiming to become a professional driver at that time. There wasn’t a single “ignite” moment, but things evolved naturally” His hard-working-family upbringing and his love for cars blossomed and further fueled his passions. At 18, Yoshihara began to grow into driving drift cars as a hobby and started street racing with his friends. “My passion for cars started early,”Yoshihara remembered.“My dad worked for a car dealership, which definitely had an influence on me. But things really took off after I got my driver’s license and started drifting an AE86 back in the late ’90s.” 

Yoshihara took jobs at the phone company and even took a position at a trucking service. Ironically, Dai also worked in a gas station earning money that would eventually help him start and support the beginnings of a serious racing career. Again, he worked at jobs no different than those many of us have taken to make ends meet. At 25 years old, driving, having fun, and really only pursuing his passions as a hobby, people took notice of his skill and decided to approach him about accelerating into another lane and level in life. “The turning point was when I qualified at my first drift competition at Irwindale Speedway for the very first D1GP in the U.S., which led to me becoming a Formula Drift driver,"Dai said with pride. This young street racer who had never officially competed in a drift competition was offered a position to compete in the United States as a driver in the 2003 inaugural season of the D1 Grand Prix. Thrilled, excited, full of nervous energy, and lacking professional motorsports experience, Yoshihara accepted the offer from Import Showoff/Pacific Rim Motorsport and entered the D1 driving competition behind the wheel of a Nissan Silvia (S13). As a true super hero origin story would play out for many onlookers of his promising career, Dai saddled up as an unseasoned rookie and took both practitioners and followers of the blossoming motorsport by surprise by qualifying and finishing amongst the top half of the event's 32 competitors, then moving on to capture a podium spot finishing 2nd overall at the Drift Showoff in Irwindale, California.

At 25, Yoshihara had seen more success in one year as an inexperienced rookie than most veteran drivers had experienced after years of grinding out and taking lumps. He closed up his first professional season in 2003 with several victories under his belt and leaving quite an impression in the hearts and minds of both competitors and new fans. Dai would soon meet the following year with entrance into the 2004 Formula Drift Championship Series resulting in more victories. This accelerated rookie finished in the top 8 at two rounds during this event and eventually placed 2nd at two of the rounds. These victories placed Yoshihara 2nd overall during the championship competition earning him the provenance of obtaining the fastest entry speed each time he competed during Formula Drift's 2004 season. Over the next three years, Dai would see even more success in his short but advancing career by grabbing multiple podium finishes, specifically capturing 3rd overall by 2007. Joining the RMR Racing Team in 2008, along with teammate Rhys Millen, Dai would pilot a factory-sponsored Pontiac GTO which would again deliver a podium finish during the Red Bull Drifting World Championship placing him 2nd overall. Proving 2008 to be a very successful season and historic performance effort, Yoshihara would take two podium positions in the Formula D series and finish 4th overall, yet again showing what a competitive and spirited force was born from those younger days of hobbyist drifting in Japan.

After 6 solid years of victorious competition, Yoshihara began a relationship with the iconic Falken Tire Company and switched to the Lexus IS350, a V8 rocket ship which, unfortunately, stalled his course of victory during the 2009 season. Although entering the season with a momentum of promise and positivity fueled by previous successes of previous years, the Yoshihara team were confronted with problems regarding the Lexus' development, leading to the vehicle's crashing and retirement during the year. Dai completed the competitive season by moving forward with an alternative vehicle, a team built Nissan 240SX, which resulted in his overall championship points finishing in 11th place. In the following season, still working with Falken Tire, Yoshihara decided to continue piloting the additionally modified and upgraded Nissan 240SX with hopes of improved performance overall and a closer shot at the victory position. The team built Nissan was boosted with a major suspension tuning and motor transplant which eventually led Dai and his team to 4th place in overall championship points by the conclusion of the 2010 drift season. “My dream was always to become a champion,”Yoshihara exclaimed. “I was fortunate enough to achieve that by winning a championship in 2011.” Since his uphill battle seemed to be leveling out because of his decision to continue with the continually updated, modified, and improved Nissan platform, Dai remained with Falken for the next three years, which resulted in him finishing the 2011 season as Formula DRIFT champion and eventual winner of the Triple Crown award that year. By the end of 2013, Yoshihara finished 7th and 11th respectively with the 240SX before making some course changes before the end of the next year.

Moving into another year proved to be the beginning of a pinnacle timeframe for Yoshihara, marking another important shift in platform. Entering the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Dai would switch vehicle choices and adopt a new sleek and sporty Subaru for his new chariot. Yoshihara's new weapon of choice, a heavily modified 2014 Subaru BRZ, quickly became known in competitive circles for its high horsepower and extremely competitive performance personality within the world of Formula DRIFT. The vehicle was originally brought to Yoshihara's orbit as a 2013 BRZ, but since its adoption, the car has been constantly modified and upgraded to create a true drifting beast. Modifications included a new tube chassis, a wide-body kit, a conversion to right-hand drive, along with a custom suspension, a dual brake system, and upgraded drivetrain components. To add the ultimate cherry on the top, this BRZ has been further outfitted with a Chevrolet LS-based engine which has been equipped with a large turbo that delivers 1000 horsepower of pure muscle and 800 foot-pounds of torque. As mentioned, the tubular chassis modification which includes a tube front end improves the vehicle's weight distribution, while the added double A-arm front suspension gives the BRZ much better control and stability. Yoshihara has also upgraded to a four-speed GeForce dog shift gearbox along with a Winters quick-change differential. Dai's BRZ also is equipped with a custom cage, Takata harnesses, Momo race seats and steering wheel to bring grip, position, and navigation comfortable during extreme scenarios that Formula DRIFT always delivers. “The BRZ received front tube frame modifications after I retired from Formula Drift”, Yoshihara clarified. “In fact, such modifications are not allowed in FD.”

Fast forwarding to 2019, Evasive Motorsports introduced their Toyota 86 to Yoshihara's team then joined forces to compete at Global Time Attack's Super Lap Battle, the final event of the season. Yoshihara clocked the fastest lap capturing an event and Unlimited RWD class victory. By the 2020 season, Dai moved his focus to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, CO where he joined with Evasive Motorsports again to drive their Toyota 86 in the event's Unlimited class competition. “Another milestone I’m proud of is winning the Unlimited Class at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2020.”, he says with pride. After first experiencing some mechanical issues, the Toyota was unable to qualify which resulted in Yoshihara's last position start at the time of the competition. To align with his historic spirit of resilience, determination, and dedication to victory, Dai and the crew of Evasive Motorsports were able to conquer this temporary setback and reset on race day. Yoshihara and the Toyota 86 clocked a time of 10:05.006 and finished 1st in the Unlimited Class and overall in 9th place. As always, and according to the cosmic and almost universal script that has guided his way since the beginning, Yoshihara kept moving forward, continually switching gears, and almost reinventing himself each time he decided to pursue another genre, feed another inspiration, and work on another goal. Nothing has stood in his way to reach those heights he has always looked to in his life. “I retired from competitive drifting in 2021 and have been focusing on road racing.”he said with focus.“My current goal is to win the IMSA MPC championship. Unfortunately, I couldn’t secure a full-season IMSA seat this year, but I’m hoping to be back on the grid next year.”

Now, a 46 year old veteran with over two solid decades of professional motorsports experience and extreme drifting competition under his belt, Yoshihara is as active and generous as always with his time, energy and experience. Reflecting on some of the most important factors his followers and fellow car enthusiasts should know about him as a driver and professional, Yoshihara outlines his accomplishments simply and clearly. “I’ve been fortunate to compete in many different disciplines—drifting, time attack, hill climbs, and road racing.”, he said. “I might not be the very best at all of them, but I’m pretty good at each one.”, he said jokingly. “It all started simply from being a car enthusiast. The path hasn’t always been glamorous, but it’s been real. I’ve always tried to stay grounded because, at the end of the day, I’m a fan of cars first just like everyone else.” We know that many that pursue this life or attempt to spark a victorious career in motorsports will hit some discouraging walls or even walk away after their dreams are flattened with repeated failure or discouragement. “I just feel so fortunate to still be relevant in different corners of car culture.”, Dai exclaims with gratitude. ”I just want to thank everyone who has supported and continues to support me.” Of course, this type of journey is not for everyone, and most importantly not suited for everyone who thinks they have the gifts or talent to make a success of something they love, but Yoshihara will never stop from being an example, source of encouragement, or inspirational influencer given his experience and evident success. “Stay hungry, stay humble.”,he said with encouragement.“It’s not just about driving good or fast. You’ve got to network, hustle, market yourself, and most importantly, be humble and easy to work with. Also, surround yourself with good people. You can’t do this alone. Be the one people want to support!” 

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