Dai Yoshihara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daijiro Yoshihara
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Dai Yoshihara
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| Born | December 24, 1978 Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan
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| Other names | Dai Yoshihara |
| Occupation | Professional drifter |
Daijiro Yoshihara (吉原 大二郎, Yoshihara Daijiro) (born December 24, 1978), known as Dai Yoshihara, is a professional driver from Japan. He is famous for his skills in drifting, road racing, time attack, and hill climb events.
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Dai Yoshihara's Racing Journey
Starting His Drifting Career
Before becoming a professional driver, Dai Yoshihara loved drifting. However, he didn't think he could make a living from it. So, he worked at different jobs, like a car dealership and a trucking service.
In 2003, Dai got a big chance. He was invited to compete in the first D1 Grand Prix in the United States. Even though he had never been to the U.S. or competed in a drift event before, he said yes!
Dai joined the D1 Grand Prix with Pacific Rim Motorsport. He drove a Nissan Silvia (S13). As a new driver, he still managed to qualify well. He finished in the top half of 32 drivers. After that, he competed in the Drift Showoff in Irwindale, California. He earned a second-place finish there.
Early Success in Formula Drift
Dai Yoshihara had a great first year in 2003, winning several events. This led him to join the Formula Drift Championship Series in 2004. In that season, he finished in the top 8 twice. He also placed second in two other rounds. This helped him finish second overall in the championship! He was known for having the fastest entry speed in every race during the 2004 season.
Dai continued to do well in Formula Drift in 2005 and 2006. He earned many podium finishes, meaning he placed in the top three. In 2007, he finished third overall in the series.
In 2008, Dai drove a Pontiac GTO for RMR Racing. He finished on the podium and placed second overall in the Red Bull Drifting World Championship. He ended the 2008 Formula Drift season in fourth place overall.
Challenges and Triumphs with Falken Tire
In 2009, Dai Yoshihara joined Falken Tire. He started driving a V8-powered Lexus IS350. His new team faced some challenges with the Lexus. The car eventually crashed and had to be retired. Dai finished the season driving a Nissan 240SX built by his team. He ended up in 11th place in the overall championship points.
Dai signed with Falken again for the 2010 season. He continued to drive the Nissan 240SX. This car was improved with a new engine and better suspension. Dai finished the 2010 drift season in fourth place in overall championship points.
The 2011 season was a big one for Dai Yoshihara. He kept driving the same Nissan 240SX, which had even more changes. He finished the 2011 season as the Formula DRIFT champion! He also won the Triple Crown award that year.
Dai continued to drive the Nissan 240SX in 2012 and 2013. He finished seventh and 11th in those years. For the 2014 Formula Drift season, he switched to a 2014 Subaru BRZ.
New Adventures in Time Attack and Hill Climb
In 2019, Dai Yoshihara teamed up with Evasive Motorsports. He drove their Toyota 86 in Global Time Attack events. At the final event of the season, called Super Lap Battle, Dai set the fastest lap. He won both the event and the Unlimited RWD class.
In 2020, Dai Yoshihara drove the Evasive Motorsports Toyota 86 at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. This race takes place in Colorado Springs, CO. His car had some mechanical problems, which meant he started in last place on race day. But Dai and the Evasive Motorsports team didn't give up! On race day, Dai finished first in the Unlimited Class. He also placed ninth overall with a time of 10 minutes and 5.006 seconds.
Dai Yoshihara's Achievements
Drifting Competitions
- Formula DRIFT Championship Series
- 2004 Championship Points: 2nd Place Overall
- 2005 Championship Points: 5th Place Overall
- 2006 Championship Points: 5th Place Overall
- 2007 Championship Points: 3rd Place Overall
- 2008 Championship Points: 4th Place Overall
- 2009 Championship Points: 11th Place Overall
- 2010 Championship Points: 4th Place Overall
- 2011 Championship Points: 1st Overall
- 2011 Tires.com Triple Crown: 1st Overall
- 2012 Championship Points: 7th Overall
- 2013 Championship Points: 11th Overall
- 2014 Championship Points: 18th Overall
- 2015 Championship: 22nd Overall
- 2016 Championship: 6th Overall
- 2017 Championship: 6th Overall
- 2018 Championship: 10th Overall
- 2019 Championship: 9th Overall
- 2020 Championship: 12th Overall
- Pro Drift Ireland
- 2012: 2nd Place, Round 5
- D1 Grand Prix All Star Exhibition at Irwindale Speedway
- 2005 & 2006: Best 16
- D1 Grand Prix
- 2004: Best 16
- 2003: Best 16
- D1 Grand Prix Driver Search
- 2003: U.S. Qualifier
- Drift Showoff at Irwindale Speedway
- 2003: 2nd place
Other Racing Achievements
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
- 2020: 1st Place in Unlimited Class
- Lamborghini Super Trofeo
- 2019 Super Trofeo Asia series: LC Cup 2nd Overall
- 2018 World Final: LC Cup 2nd place in Race 2, 5th Place
- 25 Hours of Thunderhill
- 2013: 3rd Place, E3 Class
- MotoIQ Pacific Tuner Car Championship
- 2011: 1st Place
- Global Time Attack - Super Lap Battle
- 2019: 1st Overall, 1st in Unlimited RWD class
- 2018: 3rd in Limited FWD Class
- 2017: 3rd in Unlimited FWD Class
- 2016: 3rd in Unlimited FWD Class
- 2015: 1st in Unlimited FWD Class (new FWD Course Record)
- 2014: 1st in Unlimited FWD Class
- 2010: 1st Street RWD Class
- 2006: 1st in Drift Class
- Gymkhana Grid
- 2010: 1st Place
Dai Yoshihara on TV
Dai Yoshihara has also been on a web series called Behind the Smoke. This show is like a reality documentary. It follows Dai and his team members, Scott Dodgion, Mike Kojima, and Chris Marion.
Behind the Smoke was first released in April 2011. It showed Dai's journey during his championship-winning 2011 Formula D season. The show won a Bronze Telly Award in 2012 for Online Video Reality Show.
