Mad Mike confirmed for FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup

The FIA and Sunpros Co., Ltd. has announced the entry list for the third edition of the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup, held from 29 November to 1 December at the renowned Tsukuba Circuit in Japan.

The list features 25 drivers, including the winners of the first two editions, representing 17 different countries and territories from across four continents.

The Japanese representation is headlined by the winner of the inaugural edition of the event, Masato Kawabata. The three-time winner of the D1 Grand Prix series will field his Toyota Supra A90 with the aim of repeating his 2017 triumph.

His compatriot, Masashi Yokoi, should also be in contention for overall glory. Driving his Nissan Silvia S15, the reigning D1 GP champion is currently leading his domestic drift series and is on his way to score back to back titles.

Last year’s FIA IDC winner Georgy Chivchyan will return to defend his trophy. The driver from the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, better known as “Gocha”, is a multiple winner and current leader of the Russian Drift Series.

Andrew Gray should be another force to be reckoned with. The Scotsman is an established name on the Japanese drifting scene, having won his fourth Formula Drift Japan title this month. Gray will pilot his world-famous 1000bhp Toyota MarkIIJZX100.

Michael Whiddett, also known as ‘Mad Mike’, is another Formula Drift Japan Champion on the entry list, having clinched the title in 2018. The New Zealander is a well-known ambassador of the sport the world over, having conducted exhibition runs on such occasions as Formula 1 Grands Prix, rounds of the Australian Supercars Championship and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Last year’s event runner-up, Yves Meyer will return to Japan targeting the top spot. The Swiss driver will arrive to Japan fresh from the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games: Drifting Cup, being staged at the Italian Vallelunga Circuit.
Masanori Kohashi, Yukio Matsui and Hideyuki Fujino are the remaining local drivers on the grid, fielding a Nissan Silvia S15, a Mazda RX7 FD3S and Nissan 180SX RPS13 respectively. But this is not the end of this Asian representation at this year’s FIA IDC.

Xia Chang Hao, Chen Wen Qian and Zijun Zhao form the Chinese influx of drivers, with Chinese Taipei being represented by Feng Jenchih. Charles Ng, former World Touring Car Championship regular will also compete in the FIA IDC, sporting the flag of Hong Kong, as well as Byung Jin Ahn from South Korea, and Toni Arakaki from the Philippines.

Malaysia will have Muhammad Zaiham Hamdan and, yet another driver with D1 experience, Tengku Djan Ley taking part in the event. Fellow South-Eastern Asian country, Thailand, will also have a two-driver representation comprised of Chanatpon Kerdpiam and Daychapon Toyingcharoen.

Singapore’s Ben Chiam is another Formula Drift Japan regular, representing the same Team Kazama outfit as Gray.

For 2019 the event moves to the famous Tsukuba Circuit, where it will take place from the 29th November to the 1st December. Any driver having the license of his National Sports Authority is eligible to compete in the FIA IDC. The 2017 edition was won by Kawabata, with Chivchyan taking the victory in the following year.