WORLDS TOP DRIVERS EXPRESS COMMITMENT TO D1GP USA SERIES

2 February 2009

D1GP USA, the auto industry's premier drifting series, continues its momentum forward by releasing the first list of drivers committed to participating in the 2009 D1GP USA series.

Coming on the heels of their 2009 Rulebook and Championship Points Series announcement, the new management team at D1GP USA is releasing its list of committed drivers. At the top is the 2008 D1GP Champion Daigo Saito, followed by Yoichi Imamura, D1GP's #2 ranked driver. D1GP USA has invited all top 10 drivers from Japan to compete. The expectation is that the remaining drivers will confirm over the course of the next month. In addition, D1GP USA is now extending invitations to the remaining field of Professional D1 drivers of which many have expressed interest in competing.

“With a new Championship Points Series outlet in the United States , these drivers have chosen to participate in D1GP USA in 2009. The drivers will ship their cars here and those cars will remain on the D1GP USA transporters for the entire season taking part in D1GP USA exclusive events as well as promotional stops. What is going to make the D1GP USA Series so exciting is the participation of the world's elite drift teams. We are setting the stage for fierce competition where drivers are working hard for the Championship,” said Rich Goodwin, president, D1GP USA.

The Drivers:

Daigo Saito (#1 Ranked Driver - 2008 D1 Champion) – Saito started competing in the D1 Grand Prix in the third round of the 2004 season in his red Toyota Mark II JZX90.

Since then he has improved steadily placing 32 nd overall in 2005; 14 th in 2006; 7 th in 2007 and winning the D1GP Championship in 2008.

Yoichi Imamura (#2 Ranked Driver) – Imamura is one of the most highly regarded drift drivers in the D1GP.

He was the winner of the 2003 D1GP Championship and winner of 2008 D1 Tokyo Drift. He ranked #2 in 2008. He is also the record holder for the most D1GP wins.

Ken Nomura (#4 ranked D1 driver) – Nomura is one of the longest reigning participants in the D1GP making his debut in the D1 Grand Prix in the 3rd round in 2001, driving the Blitz D1 Spec ER34 Skyline, which he still drives today.

He began in 1992 as the runner up in the All Japan Ikaten Finals. In the D1 events, he is known for his imitation of a monkey and as the pioneer of the smoke technique.

In 2006, he won the D1GP All Star event. In 2007 he placed 2 nd in the D1GP series and in 2008 he placed 4 th overall.

Toshiki Yoshioka (#9 ranked D1 driver) – He first competed in the D1 Grand Prix in the first round of 2002 and has always scored points in every season placing 12 th in 2002; 6 th in 2003; 13t h in 2004; 8 th in 2005; 5 th in 2006; 8 th in 2007 & 10 th in 2008.

For 2008, Yoshioka has switched from his trusty AE86 to a Lexus SC430 prepared by renowned tuning garage Tom's.

Takahiro Ueno (#8 ranked D1 driver) – Ueno began competing in the D1 Grand Prix in his Toyota Soarer JZZ30 in the first round in 2001.

He went on to win round #4 of the season and finishing 3 rd in the overall D1GP Championship. He has gone on to score points in every year since, last year placing 8th in the D1GP Championship