Kumho Tops Podium at Formula DRIFT Opener
Kumho Tire U.S.A.'s racecar driver, Jack Shanahan, placed third at round one of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship while racing on Kumho Ecsta V730 tires.
Racing in a E82 BMW built in just 16 days, Shanahan opened the season with a podium finish, "pushing the limits of skill and precision in every battle," say Kumho officials.
“We are absolutely thrilled with Jack Shanahan’s impressive performance on the Streets of Long Beach, where he put our Ecsta V730 tires to the ultimate test at the highest level of competitive drifting,” said Ed Cho, CEO of Kumho Tire U.S.A. “His podium finish is a powerful testament to the exceptional performance and unwavering reliability of Kumho tires, and we are excited to have him as a returning driver for the 2026 season.”
Following a second-place qualifying run, Shanahan advanced to the main competition, where he defeated Rudy Hansen in Top 32, Jeff Jones in Top 16 and Aurimas Bakchis in the Great 8. "After experiencing engine problems, Shanahan gallantly chose to withdraw and not risk covering the track in oil during a Top Four run against Fredric Aasbo. This meant fans missed the chance to potentially witness the Shanahan brothers battle in the Final if he’d been able to defeat Aasbo."
“After building an all-new car for Formula DRIFT in just 16 days, we are incredibly grateful to have secured third place in round one, and Kumho was a huge part of our success,” said Shanahan. “I had every confidence in the Kumho Ecsta V730 tires and they performed flawlessly - providing the grip and consistency we needed for every battle on a highly technical and challenging course.”
In 2025, Jack Shanahan made his debut in the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, taking on the best drivers in the world supported by Kumho tires. Delivering an exceptional rookie campaign, he finished sixth overall and claimed the Rookie of the Year title, immediately marking himself as a serious contender. For the 2026 season, Shanahan hopes to build on that momentum with his sights firmly set on podiums and championship success as he continues to establish himself among the elite of global drifting.