Drivers Conor Shanahan and Matt Field, competing on GT Radial tires, secured podium finishes at the Formula DRIFT event in Las Vegas using tires that were engineered and produced in the United States.
Insights gained from intense racing conditions assist GT Radial in crafting superior tires for routine road use.
RICHBURG, SC, UNITED STATES, October 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Tires produced at the Richburg facility in South Carolina propelled GT Radial to its second straight Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship, showcasing how motorsport can drive innovation in tire technology and performance for ordinary motorists.
This triumph underscores the “Made in USA” identity for GT Radial. The company secured the 2026 title after a commanding showing in Las Vegas on Sept. 26, where teammates Conor Shanahan and Matt Hill claimed first and second place. That outcome gave GT Radial an unbeatable 180-point lead with just one race left on the calendar.
Central to the victory is the GT Radial Champiro SX2 RS competition tire, built at the company’s Richburg plant. It remains the sole Formula DRIFT competition tire produced within the United States.
Formula DRIFT serves as an extreme testing environment for tire capabilities. The competition places severe stress on traction, handling, durability, thermal control, and consistency. “The lessons we gather on the track don’t stay there,” stated Mike Meeiem, GT Radial Motorsports Manager. “Formula DRIFT subjects tires to conditions far beyond what everyday motorists encounter, providing our engineers with crucial data on compounds, construction, grip, endurance, and heat management. That knowledge allows us to keep improving the tires we offer to consumers.”
This link is particularly strong in Richburg, where the company combines tire manufacturing with research, development, and testing operations. Insights derived from motorsports are easily transferred to the engineers and production teams working on tires intended for American roads.
“Capturing consecutive championships is a huge source of pride for our Richburg workforce,” Meeiem added. “They are constructing tires that win championships while also making tires for American customers. It’s a powerful example of the technology, manufacturing skill, and dedication to quality we have right here in South Carolina.”
The 2026 championship marks GT Radial’s second straight Formula DRIFT Tire Cup title and its third in four years. The company could earn another championship at the season-ending event Oct. 23-24 in Long Beach, California. Shanahan’s Las Vegas win moved him to the top of the Formula DRIFT Driver Championship standings as he aims for GT Radial’s first driver title.
For GT Radial, racing achievements yield more than trophies. They create a rigorous real-world environment where tires, technology, and personnel are tested to their limits, yielding insights that ultimately help GT Radial produce superior tires for American drivers who rely on them daily.
John Taylor
Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.
+1 615-477-3099
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