OTSU, Japan, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 31 August 2025 marked a historic day for Hong Kong drifting. The KCM Trade x TRC Drift Team – featuring racers Ken Yeung, Ryan Tsui, Hubert Li, Timmy Woo and 14-year-old rising star Julian Kwok – travelled to Japan's Okuibuki Motorpark, Shiga to compete in Formula Drift Japan 2 (FDJ2). Not only did the full squad impress with their performances, but they also stunned the crowd with a miraculous "five-minute repair" that turned the tide of the competition and electrified the entire arena.
Hong Kong Team Breaks Through – 14-Year-Old Debutant Scores on First Okuibuki Outing
- Timmy Woo powered through to the quarter-finals
- Ken Yeung fought steadily and reached the Top 16
- 14-year-old newcomer Julian Kwok scored points on his Okuibuki debut, proving his remarkable potential
- Ryan Tsui and Hubert Li delivered consistent performances, with their technical skill earning unanimous praise from the judges
Miracle Repair: Differential Replaced in 5 Minutes – 21 Bolts Changed
The most thrilling moment occurred during Timmy Woo's battle for a quarter-final place, when a critical rear component of his car suddenly malfunctioned. Normally, such repairs would take at least 30 minutes, but with regulations allowing only five, leaving him on the brink of forced retirement. At that critical juncture, the TRC pit crew leapt into action. Applying F1-level repair standards and flawless teamwork, they replaced the entire differential component – involving 21 bolts – in just 300 seconds. Timmy rejoined the battle in time, staged a thrilling comeback, and advanced to the Top 8. Organisers even hailed it as one of the fastest repairs ever seen at OiBuki.
Post-Race Highlight: Warm Support from Japanese Fans
After the race, the team's popularity soared. A wave of Japanese drift fans crowded the pit area for autographs and photos, with one supporter even presenting a hand-drawn framed artwork of the team's car covered in Japanese good-luck messages. The racers commented: "We never expected such passionate support from Japanese fans – it was truly moving."
Next Stop: Okayama – October Showdown Awaits
Following the heat and glory of OiBuki, the KCM Trade x TRC Drift Team now set their sights on the final FDJ2 round in October 2025 at Okayama. Determined to push even further, the team will fine-tune car setups and refine emergency procedures in pursuit of greater success.
IG: kcmtrade xTRC driftteam (@kcmtrade_x_trc_japan) • Instagram photos and videos
EMAIL: driftteam@kcmtrade.com
