Takahioro Ueno is another one of the senior drifters competing in the D1GP->ke3353 professional drifting championship. Ueno has taken his love for the Toyota Soarer (Lexus SC300 in America) very seriously. In 1996 he founded the tuning shop Car Make T&E, owners of Vertex Aero parts. Using his Soarer as a test bed for the company’s body kits he uses the D1 competition to showcase the simplistic and elegant designs they create. He has entered the same model Toyota in every round of D1 competition since he began drifting professionally in 2001. Ueno had great success in his debut year, winning round 4 at Ebisu and finishing 3rd in the overall point’s championship. Unfortunately he has not been able to recapture his original success but devoted to the JZZ 30 chassis he is back competing in the same red Toyota Soarer for the 2009 D1GP Championship.

Profile after the jump.

Takahiro Ueno

Born: November 5, 1971 Kanagawa, Japan

Drifting since: 2001

Highlights: 2001 3rd place D1GP Championship

1996 Founded Car Make T&E makers of Vertex aero parts

Drift Team: Car Make T&E

Drift Vehicle: Toyota Soarer JZZ30

Power: 650 PS

Weight: 1370 Kg