About us

"Professionalism is our Creed, Experience is our Strength"

With so many people claiming they are the authority of JDM, what better team to trust in the Japanese performance market in the US than Japanese/Americans that knows both cultures. All of us came from automotive backgrounds, with over 20 years of experience under each of our belts our passion and knowledge in this industry have given us the opportunity to see first hand the growth and changes of this industry. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". That's why working with us "gets the job done!"

Here is a little background and Bio on the owner and staff of American Gymkhana Association.

Ken Takahashi 38 President
ken@gymkhanausa.com



- With over 20 years of experience in Motorsports.
- Building & street racing import cars since 1986
- Introduced the 1st bolt-on intake exhaust in 1991 at RS Akimoto, Upland CA.
- Exported performance cars, exotics, & hot rods to Japan in the 90s.
- One of the pioneers to bring Drifting to the US. Owned and managed professional Drift team Sponsored by Nissan in 2004.
- Worked with movie companies like Universal Pictures for Fast & Furious I, & II. Coordinating cars and authenticity.
- Strong relationship with auto manufactures like Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, & Mazda.
- Worked & consulted for many Japanese aftermarket manufactures.
- Work with SEMA Las Vegas to put on drift exhibitions.
- Work with Best Motoring Video to provide filming location and vehicles from OE & Tuners
- Manage and hosted Japanese Drivers like: Tarzan Yamada, Ustumi Akinori, and Takahiro Ueno.
- Strong relationship with gaming companies like Sony, Namco for driving game simulations.
- 1st to import and legalize the Nissan Skyline GT-R to the US.
- Co-founder of MotoRex
- Established Cwest USA (Japanese body kit manufacture)
- Currently a judge for Formula D US professional drift series aired on ESPN

Naoki Kobayashi 34 Track Manager naoki@gymkhanausa.com



- Owner & Founder of Drift Association (D-Day) the 1st and largest grassroots drifting organization since.
- Coordination and managing course work for over 6 years
- Worked on CSI Miami Production in 2006, vehicle casting & onsite stunt coordinating.
- Coordinate demo for Barrett Jackson Auction AZ 2006. Logistics & course management for Ford Drift Team
- Event coordinator & onsite photo session for EA Games (UK) 2006
- Coordinate track venue for 1st Video Option event in US
- Handled all Falken tire Drift showoff events since 2003
- Coordinates many track events for different venues & TV Commercial for Mitsubishi, Hot Import Nights/Night shift, GT Live, RS*R Drift Festival & demo's at American Rally events.
- Handled D1 Grand Prix events in 2003
- Yokohama Drift Demo at SEMA Las Vegas 2003-2004
- Extensive knowledge in course work and management

Taka Aono 37 Chief Instructor
taka@gymkhanausa.com



- 2002, 2003 SCCA Pro Solo National Champion
- 2002, SCCA Solo II National Champion
- 2004 Need for Speed Drift Challege (EA Games) top 13th.
- 2005 Formula D top 7th. D1 GP top 32
- 2006 Formula D top 11 overall
- Head Course Designer for many Amateur series ex: Formula D Pro-Am, Falken Drift Showoff, & Drift Association events.
- Factory driver for Falken Tires
- Official Drifting judge for Formula D Pro-Am , Drift Day Competitions, Drift Showoffs, & Just Drift competition events.
- Chief Instructor for Drift 101, Official Drifting School Event of Drift Association
- Champ Car Drift Demo Driver & Invited to run Pikes Peak.
- Course layout for Barrett Jackson Drift Demo 2007
- Certification: Formula D license
- Certification: D1 Grand Prix license

  for Media request: PRESS