Team Kenda Delivers Standout Performance in Treacherous Conditions at Formula Drift Round 2 – Atlanta

Motortopia Staff . May 22, 2025 . Press Release

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Atlanta, GA (May 21, 2025) — At Round 2 of the 2025 Formula Drift Championship, Team Kenda once again proved its growing dominance on the professional drift circuit. Held at the iconic Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta—home of the inaugural Formula Drift event—this year’s competition added another layer of excitement as the series partnered with Gridlife for a weekend packed with full-course action, unpredictable weather, and world-class competition.
Despite the challenging switch from sun to near-continuous rain on Saturday, Kenda drivers showcased exceptional skill and confidence, underscoring the wet-weather performance and reliability of Kenda’s VEZDA UHP MAX+ tire compound. Engineered for top-tier motorsports, the VEZDA lineup delivered stability, grip, and consistency in conditions that tested every driver’s limits.

Fredric Aasbo Secures Podium for Kenda

Defending champion Fredric Aasbo led Team Kenda with a second-place finish, demonstrating supreme confidence in both his car and tire setup—despite launching first in Top 32 on a wet and drying track.
“The VEZDAs gave me the ability to react quickly and recover—even when things went sideways. In rain like that, every input matters. Kenda gave me the trust I needed to stay aggressive,” said Aasbo.

Driver Highlights: Kenda’s Roster Proves Depth and Versatility
• Jhonnattan Castro – Achieved his best-ever Formula Drift result with a Final Four finish in his Metaldom GR86.
• Austin Matta – Claimed victory in the seeding bracket (Kenda’s 2nd win in as many tries in 2025), edging out top-tier competition.
• Ryan Tuerck (Papadakis Racing) – Consistent Top 8 performance with clean qualifying runs.
• Ken Gushi & Simen Olsen – Both advanced to the Top 16, reinforcing the overall strength of Team Kenda.
• Frederico Sceriffo – Made his official U.S. debut with Kenda in a Ferrari 599 GTB drift car, delivering a crowd-pleasing performance and praising the tires’ grip and predictability.

Kenda Leads in 2025 Tire Cup Standings
Thanks to a unified team effort and consistent podium performances, Kenda currently leads the 2025 Tire Cup standings, ahead of key competitors Nitto, GT Radial, and Kumho. This leadership reflects not only tire performance but Kenda’s growing influence across the grid.
Additionally, all four Toyota GR drivers—Fredric Aasbo, Ryan Tuerck, Ken Gushi and Jhonnattan Castro—are on Team Kenda and currently lead the Auto Cup standings, further underscoring the synergy between vehicle platform and tire development.

Performance in the Wet: Why Kenda Tires Stood Out
Kenda’s VEZDA UHP MAX+ tires, rated 200tw AA A, stood out for their exceptional wet grip, enabling drivers to maintain aggressive lines through elevation changes and inconsistent traction zones. The event validated Kenda’s #podium2pavement™ philosophy—delivering real-world tire technology proven in elite motorsports.
“Formula Drift is the ultimate proving ground for our tire technology,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, VP of Kenda Tire USA. “We’re not just chasing trophies—we’re proving our product under the harshest driving environments.”

Next Stop: Round 3 – Orlando Speed World
With a strong showing in Atlanta, Team Kenda heads to Orlando with momentum and confidence. As the season progresses, Kenda continues to focus on tire development, driver support, and expanding its footprint in competitive motorsports.

Podium2Pavement™
The VEZDA UHP MAX+ is now available to consumers through Kenda’s dealer network and is designed for enthusiasts who demand track-bred performance in a street-legal package. Whether you’re drifting, carving canyon roads, competing in weekend Autocross or just looking for maximum traction and responsiveness, the VEZDA UHP MAX+ delivers where it matters most.

With this championship-caliber start, Kenda Tires sets the tone for the 2025 Formula Drift season—expect more podiums, more highlights, and more innovation from a brand that’s committed to pushing the boundaries of performance.