GT Radial Sweeps 2026 Formula DRIFT Titles With U.S.-Made SX2 RS

GT Radial closed the 2026 Formula DRIFT season with three championships including the brand’s first Formula DRIFT PRO Driver Championship.

Conor Shanahan secured the Driver Championship at the season finale in Long Beach, California, on Oct. 24. GT Radial had already secured its second consecutive Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship at the previous round in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cole Richards also earned Rookie of the Year honors.

“This is the kind of season you dream about,” said Mike Meeiem, GT Radial motorsports manager. “Winning the Tire Cup is a tremendous accomplishment by itself, but to add our first Driver Championship with Conor and see Cole earn Rookie of the Year makes this a truly historic year for GT Radial. These championships reflect the talent and commitment of our drivers, teams and everyone behind the GT Radial Formula DRIFT program.”

Season Summary and Championship Results

Shanahan entered the Long Beach finale atop the Driver Championship standings following a victory in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he and GT Radial teammate Matt Field delivered a 1–2 finish. That performance clinched the Tire Cup for GT Radial with one round remaining.

Shanahan completed the job in Long Beach, securing GT Radial’s first Formula DRIFT Driver Championship. His season demonstrated speed and consistency.

“Conor performed at an incredibly high level all season,” Meeiem said. “He showed the speed you need to win events, but just as importantly, he had the consistency and composure required to win a championship. We couldn’t be prouder to have Conor deliver the first Driver Championship in GT Radial’s Formula DRIFT history.”

The 2026 Tire Cup marks GT Radial’s third Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship in four years. The brand captured its first Tire Cup in 2023, reclaimed the championship in 2025 and defended the title in 2026.

• Formula DRIFT PRO Driver Championship — Conor Shanahan
• Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship — GT Radial
• Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year — Cole Richards

Competition Tire and Manufacturing

GT Radial drivers compete on the Champiro SX2 RS. Giti Tire produces the tire at its passenger and light truck tire manufacturing facility in Richburg, South Carolina. It is the only Formula DRIFT competition tire that manufacturers produce in the United States. High heat and load make proper tire maintenance, wheel alignment and balancing critical in drifting applications.

“Three championships in one season are a powerful validation of the performance of the Champiro SX2 RS and the people behind it,” Meeiem said. “We’re especially proud that these competition tires are made by our team in Richburg, South Carolina. Formula DRIFT puts tires through some of the most extreme conditions imaginable, and winning at this level demonstrates the engineering, manufacturing expertise and performance capability that GT Radial brings to the road.”

Technology Transfer and Program Outlook

The Formula DRIFT program serves as a proving ground for GT Radial tire technology. Professional drifting places extreme demands on tires, including grip, handling, durability and consistency under high temperatures and loads. Lessons from these demands contribute to ongoing tire development for everyday drivers. They also inform tire service practices in automotive repair and TPMS service environments.

Richards’ Rookie of the Year honor underscores the GT Radial program’s depth heading into 2027. “Cole had an outstanding rookie season and seeing him earn Rookie of the Year alongside Conor’s championship and the Tire Cup makes this season even more special,” Meeiem said. “We’ve built tremendous momentum, and now the challenge is to carry it forward. We’re already looking ahead to 2027.”