As the 2007 drifting season came to a close, Korean tyre manufacturer, Nexen Tire Corporation, confirmed that they will enter the 2008 drifting market as a partner to Europe’s leading drift series, Prodrift.

Recently, at a high profile sponsorship signing ceremony held at Mondello Park Circuit outside Dublin, General Manager for Nexen Tire London Bong-Wan Lee and General Manager of Nexen Tire Europe John Bosco Kim met with members of Prodrift management and the drivers of the 2008 Team Nexen to confirm the details of this exciting 2008 drift programme.

Included as part of the 2008 partnership is a selection of high profile European drifting demonstrations as well as tyre support to a three-car team competing across both the Prodrift Irish and Prodrift European Series. The Prodrift team are now famous for their promotional and demonstration activities in Europe. From the Paris Tuning Show to DTM and major tuning festivals, Prodrift drivers regularly entertain motorsport and tuning audiences with spectacular live action drifting demonstrations. On top of these demonstrations Team Nexen will also compete as part of the most fiercely contested drifting leagues in Europe, the Prodrift Irish National Series and the new and international Prodrift European Series, which travels to Ireland, U.K, Sweden, Belgium and Finland and contains Europe’s best drift drivers and teams.

Making up the 2008 Team Nexen are three young, exciting and competitive Irish drivers with a proven track record in drifting competitions and international appearances. Leading the team is Europe’s newest drifting star and one of the youngest drift competitors in the world, 16-year-old James Deane. In 2007 James was awarded the Prodrift rookie of the year prize due to his amazing performances driving his Nissan Sylvia S14A and enters 2008 as a favourite for the Prodrift Ireland title as well as a contender for Prodrift European Series honours. Joining James Deane is another Irish talent, Dennis Healy. Dennis also scored highly in the 2007 Prodrift Series and will aim to improve on his 10th place finish to the 07 season. Finally, Miguel Marini will make up the third place in the 2008 Team Nexen. In 2007 Miguel travelled across Europe promoting the Prodrift brand & performing at events such as Paris Tuning Show, Galiexpo Spain, Tuner GP, DTM Zandvoort, Xtreme Drift Finland and Belgium and the Nurburgring 24hour. Awaiting delivery of a new car from Japan, Miguel’s inclusion as part of the team will guarantee high profile exposure of the Nexen Tire brand at Europe’s most exciting tuning and motoring festivals as well as branding on one of Europe’s most amazing drift cars.

For 2008, Team Nexen will compete on the Nexen N3000 tire, a product with proven event winning potential. In 2007 Prodrift Ireland Champion Eric O’Sullivan used the N3000 product to win 2 out of 6 Prodrift Championship events. Next Nexen Tire will launch N6000 at the beginning of 2008.

Commenting on the 2008 partnership agreement, Prodrift Sales & Marketing Director Karl O’Sullivan said “ We are delighted to partner with Nexen Tire Corporation for our 2008 activities. Nexen Tire is a progressive global organisation with a professional and exciting reputation, and products with a proven track record in drifting success. I am confident that with this strong team of drivers, for 2008 Nexen Tire will make an extensive impact on the European drifting scene. We look forward to welcoming Nexen Tire Corporation into our 2008 Prodrift events and are excited by the promotional partnership that will commence with immediate effect”.