For 2018, we have a new driver competing with us – and it’s a face many in the drifting scene may already know – Japspeed Team Mechanic, Ant Thompson. Ant will be driving in the UK grassroots series; DriftCup.

Ant is no stranger to Team Japspeed; working hard wielding spanners behind the scenes for the past 8 years. In that time he has become an integral part in getting our cars ready to compete in the British and Irish Drift Championships as well as the countless shows and events the team attend every year.

With a fascination for all things automotive from an early age Ant has been pursuing a career in Drifting long before joining Japspeed in 2010. Many in the scene will know Ant not only for his work in the Japspeed camp but also for his eye-catching S14 which can often be found at drift practice days up and down the country. With that in mind it seems only fitting that he should don a Japspeed race suit and hop in the driver’s seat. After all who else knows our cars better?

For the 2018 season however Ant will be retiring his Nissan and taking the wheel of the trusty Japspeed Lexus IS200. Of course this isn’t your average IS200 and is fully equipped; including a 2JZ engine as well the usual drift spec modifications. Ant’s new ride is currently undergoing some TLC in the Japspeed stables to ensure it is fighting fit before joining the 2018 DriftCup grid in a week’s time.

It would be fair to say the Japspeed IS200 has seen some action over the years – it has taken plenty of abuse from some famous faces including Formula D veteran Ryan Tuerck, Gymkhana Grid Champion Luke Woodham, and Japspeed brand ambassador Rick Van Goethem.

With the season starting very soon, there isn’t long to wait before seeing the Lexus back out on the track. DriftCup starts at Rockingham on 11^th March.

Good luck Ant!