The Japanese drifter Yoichi Imamura has competed in the D1GP professional drifting league since it began back in 2000. He originally competed in a favorite of drifters around the world, a lightweight Toyota AE86. In 2002 he began competing for Apex’i and ran the first three round of the season in a turbocharged Toyota Altezza before switching makes in favor of an FD Mazda RX-7. After a year of getting the rotary powered drift machine dialed in Imamura was able to win the 2003 D1GP Championship.

Continued after the jump.

In 2006 after Apex’i left drifting competition Yoichi was forced to find a new sponsor. He soon joined forces with the team of ORC (Ogura Racing Clutch) and “Smokey” Nagata’s Top Secret tuning shop to campaign a Nissan 350Z. Although he was behind the wheel of a strong machine, Imamura was never able to recapture the success he once had in the white RX-7.

For 2008 Imamura joined forces with the tuning shop Auto Produce Boss to drift another Nissan, this time the older, but proven, Potenza D-1 Project S15 Silvia. With a 3rd place finish in the D1GP Championship for 2008 Imamura is back on the right track to drifting greatness. Yoichi is the winningest driver in D1 history with 8 victories under his belt. For 2009 he is back behind the wheel of the red S15 and hopes to end up back where he did in 2003.

Yoichi Imamura

Born: May 11, 1976 Kai, Japan

Drifting since: 2001

Highlights: 2003 D1GP Champion

Most wins in D1GP history

Drift Team: Auto Produce Boss with Potenza D-1 project

Drift Vehicle: S15 Nissan Silvia

Power: 579 PS

Weight: 1098 Kg