Giti Tire launched professional Drifting Tire - GitiCompete Drift 1 July 5 th 2009, GitiCompete Drift 1 made its first official public appearance as a professional drifting tire at Giti Tire Drift Carnival at X'treme Circuit, Shenzhen, China. This is an important milestone for Giti Tire as they are the first tire manufacturer that has engineered and produced a professional Drifting competition tire in China.This achievement "ENGINEERED IN CHINA", has been proudly engraved onto the sidewall of GitiCompete Drift 1. On this day, Drifting Competitors came from all over China to compete.They came eager to display their skills to compete in their modified high powered cars – many have their engine power increased to as high as 600 horsepower grossly enhancing the Power-to-weight ratio. These competition cars are smaller in size and much lighter than a BMW 3 series, yet has more power than a BMW 7 series! With such power, wheel spin force will be incredibly punishing, testing tire traction power to the limit!. Giti Tire Drifting Carnival has attracted the maximum number of 30 participants making it the biggest event in the history of Xtreme Circuit. It is also probably the biggest Drift event in the southern region of China.Organizing Committee member, Chen Shui Ming said "I am very happy, a lot of Drivers wanted to participate in the Event. We have restricted the Drift Carnival to 30 participants if not more Drivers would be in the Drift Carnival."

Origins of Drifting Drifting is said to have evolved from the races that ran up and down the winding mountain roads of Japan (Touge). The drivers began to master highly skilful Rally driving techniques of sliding around corners to improve times. Just before the corner, the driver would cause the vehicle rear wheels to lose traction to slide round the corner and gain traction again for acceleration without spinning. As this skill became respected and new techniques and personal style of driving were introduced, Drifting grew to become today's new hot motorsport.

What is Drifting? Drifting is about control of tire traction power. It involves tail sliding and holding the slide through a set of corners while maintaining the closest distance with your competitor. Known as "Tandem Drift Runs" (Tsuiso), this mode of competition is probably the most exciting as one car follows another through the course, keeping as close a distance as possible or even passing the car in front. It is often run over 4 rounds where after 2 rounds, the cars change position of start. Drifting is judged on the wide angle of drift, maintaining as much speed, angle and smoothness whilst the rear car can secure additional points in maintaining the closest distance with the rival.

Drifting provides adrenalin pumping excitement for both participants and spectators. Unlike Forest/Tarmac Rallies or Circuit Races, Drifting is run over a short course allowing spectators to have a full view and experience of the breath-taking drama in skilful maneuvering, car control, precision driving, side sliding and burning of tires (smoke effect).

Tires for Drifting In Drifting, tires not only need to deliver a broad spectrum of precise performances from quick acceleration to traction for controlled sliding and responsive handling, they are actually abused in terms of wear and tear to achieve the best results. GitiCompete Drift 1 started its life as Champiro 328, a high performance tire meant for the "inch-up" market. Because of its high performance qualities, Champiro 328 is frequently used by Weekend Drifters in China and USA. With the popularity of Drifting growing, the challenge for Giti to develop a true Drift Tire became a reality. Coupled with a decade of motorsports involvement and home grown technologies, the Champiro 328 was re-engineered in China by employing Giti Tire’s state-of-art tire manufacturing technologies including NANOTEK to increase traction levels, improve handling response and driving control in dry and wet road conditions. The tire construction is also made stronger to sustain extreme G Forces during drifting maneuvers. Thus the birth of GitiCompete Drift 1. Jerry Liang, from Giti Tire R&D who heads the development of GitiCompete Drift 1 further emphasized that motorsports have always been the challenge for Giti Tire technocrats to expand their knowledge and skills in tire development. "Competition Tires are subjected to extreme punishment within a very short period of time and this has far greater impact than an ordinary tire will ever experience in its entire life-time. That is why a lot of research and development go into the making of competition tires; to derive technologies which eventually become the bench-mark for Giti Tire to produce better and safer tires for the mass market". Giti Tire Marketing and Sales Director, Mr. Wu Zhimin who attended the Event said, "Although it rained on and off throughout the afternoon, it did not dampen the event. In fact, the rain helped to show the wet grip qualities of the GitiCompete Drift1 tires and the event carried on as planned".Zhimin further added, "I would like to thank the organizing committee with a special mention to Mr. Chen Shui Ming and his team for the great job in holding this Event and giving Giti Tire the opportunity to be the official tire. Thank you all". FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Giti Tire SENIOR MANAGER, MR. ONG MOH CHAI @ 15000661562