Nexen Performance Tires

USA

Featured Driver

Ryan Kado
  • Age /Height/Weight: 20 / 6'0" / 160
  • Nickname: Kado
  • Car Number: 614
  • Hometown: Sacramento, CA
  • Team: Ryan Kado Racing
  • Car nickname: Ninja Turtle
  • Car Specs:
    • Tires: Nexen N6000 rear, Nexen N9000 front
    • Engine: SR Motorcars spec VK56
    • Horsepower: 430whp, 400ftlb
    • Suspension: Parts Shop MAX
    • Brakes: EBC Brakes
    • Wheels: Enkei RPF01
    • Exterior: Extreme Dimensions
    • Interior: Sparcos
  • Connect with Ryan Kado:

Ryan discovered drifting at 13 years old and instantly was hooked on the intensity of the sport. He nurtured his competitive spirit racing motocross until he was 16 and old enough to drive. The same week Ryan got his drivers license, he took his Nissan S14 to a practice drift event at Thunder Hill Raceway where he fell in love with the pure feeling of sliding a car. Since then, he has been mastering his craft, always striving to push his limits behind the wheel. Ryan's hyper-competitive spirit and intense passion for drifting fuel his drive to fight for the championship and make him a fierce competitor amongst a field of the world's most elite drivers. 2012 marks Ryan's freshman year on the Nexen Tire team in his V8 powered Nissan 350z.

Meet Ryan Kado

When and why did you start drifting? I started driting after I saw an Option Video on youtube when I was 12 years old. Since then I have been hooked.

What do you like about drifting? I like going fast and sideways at the same time, it reminds me of whipping my motocross bike.

Who is your inspiration/rolemodel (in and out of the drift scene)? I look up to Tyler McQuarrie. He is a respected race car driver, instructor, and drifter and I would like to try to model my career after his.

Where is your favorite place to drift? ThunderHill Raceway in Northern California.

Why do you like using NEXEN Tires on your Drift Car? Nexen tires are the best drift tires I have ever used. They have plenty of grip, lots of smoke, and they last forever! I get to spend less time changing tires and more time drifting!

What is your memorable drifting moment? I flipped my 1986 Toyota Corolla in a 2009 Pro-Am competition and finished in 2nd. I don't think I will ever forget the feeling of being upside-down.

What do you like to do for fun when you're not drifting? More drifting, be it in my S13 street car or in video games. I have no life :/

What are your favorite drifting events? The most fun event I have ever been to was an all AE86 competition at Willows Springs. It was the dream event for any Hachi enthusiast.

List of accomplished motorsports awards:

  • 2nd Place all AE86 drift competition 2009
  • 1st Place ThunderDrift skidpad series 2009
  • 1st Place ThunderDrift Pro-Am Championship 2010
  • 1st Place Just Drift Top Drift Pro-Am Championship 2010
  • Top 16 Formula Drift Palm Beach 2011
  • Top 16 Formula Drift Long Beach 2012
  • Top 16 Formula Drift Atlanta 2012

What would you like to say to your fans? I have the most awesome fans in the world, and you guys are the whole reason I make it out to every round of Formula Drift. I hope that I can inspire my fans as much I was inspired back when I as sitting in the bleachers at Formula Drift in 2005 dreaming about being a professional drifter.

What is your favorite catch phrase? Ka-chow!

Do you have a hidden talent? I play the flute.

What are your hobbies? R/C Drifting, Forza, Guitar, Surfing, Rock Climbing, Airsoft.

What is your favorite movie? Either Iron Man, Shooter, Top Gun, or Tin Cup.

What music do you like to listen to? The kind you can hear.