Keiichi Tsuchiya’s Full Biography

Born in 1956 in Nagano Prefecture, Tsuchiya’s fascination with speed was far greater than that of the average person. His passion was so intense that he would ride a motorized bicycle (known as genchari in Japan) from Nagano to Fuji Speedway just to watch races. What he witnessed during those races became the foundation of his future. Among the many race cars on the track, one car radiated an aura visible only to Tsuchiya—it was the car driven by Kunimitsu Takahashi. Takahashi was the only racer who drifted (a driving technique where the rear tires slide) through corners during the race. This sight burned itself into Tsuchiya’s memory, and upon obtaining his driver’s license, his passion for cars grew even stronger.

At that time, there were few circuits available for honing one’s skills, so Tsuchiya practiced primarily on nearby mountain passes (touge) and winding snowy roads. After countless runs, he began to dominate the mountains around Nagano Prefecture. However, feeling he would not progress further this way, he decided to enter the world of racing. To fund this, he worked tirelessly, day and night, to save money.

In 1977, Tsuchiya debuted at the Fuji Freshman Race. Despite leading a difficult life, he continued racing primarily in touring cars, achieving legendary six consecutive wins in the Fuji Freshman Race in 1984. The following year, when the All-Japan Touring Car Championship (Group A) was launched, he advanced to the next level. His flamboyant tail-slide driving style earned him the nickname “Dorikin” (Drift King), and he also popularized the term “drift.”

In 1992, Tsuchiya joined “Team Kunimitsu,” founded by Kunimitsu Takahashi—the man he idolized and who inspired his career. Tsuchiya became a key figure in the success and popularity of Group A racing. In 1993, he led his team to a series ranking of third in the N1 Endurance Race. In 1994, he participated in the JTCC with a Civic, achieving fourth place in both Rounds 4 and 14. He also won the overall championship in the GT Championship, driving a Porsche Turbo. In 1995, Tsuchiya competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the NSX-GT2, setting the second-fastest time in the GT2 class during pre-qualifying. Despite starting from the pit lane in the final race, he overtook an astounding 30 cars, contributing to his team's GT2 class victory.

In 1996, Tsuchiya ventured into NASCAR, becoming the highest-placing Japanese driver in the event. He also competed in Le Mans for the third consecutive year, achieving a flawless finish. In the All-Japan GT Championship, he raced with the Honda NSX. The following year, Tsuchiya left Team Kunimitsu after five years and joined Team Lark McLaren to aim for an overall victory at Le Mans. While he qualified 10th overall as a time attacker, the final race ended in retirement. However, his speed caught the attention of international audiences. Domestically, he continued competing in the All-Japan GT Championship and Touring Car Championship, achieving top Japanese finishes in NASCAR events.

In 1998, Tsuchiya became the first Japanese driver to compete on an oval track in NASCAR. He also participated in Le Mans with Toyota’s TS020 alongside Ukyo Katayama and Toshio Suzuki, finishing ninth overall in their debut race. In the All-Japan GT Championship, he raced with a Supra, finishing third in the opening round. In 1999, he returned to Le Mans with the TS020, achieving a Japanese trio's best-ever result of second overall.

In 2000, Tsuchiya partnered with Aguri Suzuki under the AUTOBACS Racing Team Aguri (ARTA), competing in the All-Japan GT Championship with the NSX. At Le Mans, he raced with a Panoz for the TV Asahi Racing Team, finishing eighth overall. In the Super Endurance Series, which he had been competing in since 1999, he consistently achieved podium finishes.

Tsuchiya raced in Le Mans for five consecutive years. In 2001, he raced in the All-Japan GT Championship with ARTA, winning Round 6 and finishing second overall in the series rankings. He continued with ARTA in 2002, achieving memorable results and ranking 10th overall. In 2003, Tsuchiya partnered with Toshiya Kaneshiro for ARTA in the All-Japan GT Championship. During the series, he announced his shocking decision to retire at the end of the season. In his final race at Suzuka, Tsuchiya captivated fans with an aggressive performance, finishing sixth and leaving an unforgettable legacy. The retirement ceremony was filled with emotion and celebration.

After retiring from racing, Tsuchiya became a team director for ARTA’s GT300 and GT500 teams, using his extensive experience to mentor young drivers. Since 2005, he has served as ARTA’s director and executive advisor while continuing to be active on circuits across Japan.

Tsuchiya’s uncompromising, relentless approach has earned the admiration of countless fans. Beyond racing, he returned to his roots in 2001 by establishing the D1 Grand Prix, serving as its chief judge and personally mentoring drivers. His efforts have inspired street racers across Japan to shift their focus from public roads to circuits. Additionally, he shares his expertise with car enthusiasts through tuning shop-sponsored events, teaching circuit strategies and mental techniques.

Tsuchiya is also a regular presence in media, appearing in Hot Version and Best Motoring to share the joys of driving. His Hot Version videos, featuring collaborations with professional drivers, have sold approximately 20,000 copies. As a commentator, he has contributed to Fuji TV’s Formula 1 broadcasts, Formula Zone, and other motorsport programs. He also co-hosted J-WAVE’s Bridgestone Automobile Radio with the popular DJ Piston Nishizawa, gaining industry recognition. He has written for publications like AUTOSPORT, XaCAR, and ENGINE.

In recent years, Tsuchiya has embraced digital media, launching his YouTube channel, Drift King Television, to reach a global audience. Today, Tsuchiya is regarded as an indispensable figure in the world of automobiles, both in Japan and internationally.