Kenda Tires Unveils the New VEZDA UHP MAX+ and Expands 2025 Formula DRIFT Driver Lineup

Motortopia Staff . February 26, 2025 . Press Release

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Reynoldsburg, OH (February 25, 2025) – Kenda Tires is revolutionizing the ultra-high-performance tire market with the launch of the VEZDA UHP MAX+, a cutting-edge tire engineered for superior grip, precision handling, and unmatched durability. As part of its continued investment in motorsports, Kenda has also expanded its Formula DRIFT (FD) Pro driver lineup for 2025, reinforcing its commitment to excelling in open competition racing.
After making its FD debut in 2023, Kenda has further solidified its presence by signing a three-year contract extension with Formula DRIFT. With the Podium2Pavement™ initiative, Kenda is pushing the limits of performance tires and proving its technology in the most extreme competitive environments.

Introducing the VEZDA UHP MAX+: Performance Without Compromise

The VEZDA UHP MAX+ is the next evolution of ultra-high-performance tires, built to provide race-winning speed and street-ready durability. Engineered with advanced silica-infused compounds, the MAX+ delivers increased lateral grip, faster response, and consistent wear performance—giving drivers a competitive edge from qualifying to podium celebrations.

Key Competitive Advantages of the VEZDA UHP MAX+:
• Unrivaled Grip & Control – New high-performance tread compounds ensure maximum surface adhesion for razor-sharp turns and powerful exits.
• Precision Handling at High Speeds – Optimized tread pattern enhances predictable control, reducing understeer and oversteer in aggressive maneuvers.
• Extreme Durability – Designed for sustained peak performance, resisting heat cycling and wear across multiple drift runs.
• Street-Ready Performance – As a DOT-approved, 200tw tire, it offers both track-level grip and real-world drivability, making it ideal for both professionals and enthusiasts.
• Proven in Open Competition – Developed and tested in Formula DRIFT, grassroots drifting, and HPDE (high-performance driving events), ensuring real-world competitive validation.

“Kenda’s MAX+ technology delivers an unprecedented blend of track aggression and daily reliability,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, Vice President of Automotive at Kenda Tire. “Drivers want a tire that can push the limits on race day while still being dependable for everyday use. The VEZDA UHP MAX+ isn’t just another performance tire—it’s a game-changer in competitive drifting and beyond. Equally important, the technologies developed in this tire directly translate to our other Vezda products used every day by consumers.”

Expanding the 2025 Formula DRIFT Roster
Kenda is also strengthening its presence in Formula DRIFT Pro with an expanded roster of elite drivers, all equipped with the VEZDA UHP MAX+. These teams were all excited to see that Kenda will uniquely offer the same DOT tread designs and construction for all sizes of the VEZDA UHP MAX+ for front and rear tire options to optimize their performance.

New Drivers for 2025:
• Fredric Aasbo (Norway) – Papadakis Racing, 3-Time Formula DRIFT PRO Champion | Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra
• Ryan Tuerck (USA) – Papadakis Racing, 2024 Round 6-Seattle Winner | Rain-X Toyota GR Corolla
• Simen Olsen (Norway) – Simen Olsen Drifting, 2021 FD Rookie of the Year | Toyota GR Supra
• Daniel Stuke (USA) – MspeK Performance | MspeK Performance Nissan Silvia Spec-R
• Austin Matta (USA) – Austin Matta Motorsports | Austin Matta Motorsports Nissan S14

Returning Team Kenda Drivers:
• Ken Gushi (Japan) – Three’s Racing | Greddy Racing Moty’s Toyota GR86
• Jhonnattan Castro (Dominican Republic) – Jhonnattan Castro Racing | LTH, Mobil 1 / Toyota GR86
• Nick Noback (USA) – Noback Racing Co. | Kenda Tires Noback Racing BMW E46
• Jonathan Hurst (USA) – Cash Racing | MRCOOL Cadillac XLR
• Derek Madison (USA) – Team Infamous | Fuelab, IG Motorsports.com S14

Race-Proven, Street-Ready: The Podium2Pavement™ Philosophy
Kenda’s exclusive focus on DOT-approved ultra-high-performance tires ensures that the same technology tested in world-class motorsports is available to everyday drivers. This philosophy—Podium2Pavement™—means that customers can experience the same high-performance DNA that powers Kenda’s elite racing teams.
“We are committed to giving our drivers the tools they need to succeed while delivering an affordable, high-performance option for enthusiasts,” said Stotsenburg. “The VEZDA UHP MAX+ proves that a tire can be both an elite competition tire and a go-to choice for serious street performance.”

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