The 2026 Royal Drift Series (RDS) Ningbo Round brought another exciting weekend of professional drifting to the Ningbo International Speedway from September 3 to 6. With 42 drivers entered, the third round of the Royal Drift Series featured intense competition, powerful drift cars, and spectacular tandem battles.

For TRI-ACE, the Ningbo round was another important opportunity to connect with professional drift drivers and showcase the brand's commitment to drift racing.

TRI-ACE Tires joined the event alongside professional drift driver Maksim Grossman and Chinese table tennis star and professional racing driver Lin Gaoyuan, bringing together international drifting experience and a new generation of cross-sport motorsport enthusiasm.

TRI-ACE and the Royal Drift Series

Drifting is one of the most demanding applications for a performance tire.

During a drift competition, tires must deal with high temperatures, significant lateral forces, rapid steering transitions, and continuous wheelspin. Consistent grip and predictable tire behavior are therefore essential for drivers who need precise control throughout a run.

TRI-ACE has been deeply involved in drift racing for many years and continues to develop performance tires for demanding drift applications.

The Royal Drift Series provides an important competition environment where drivers can test their cars, driving techniques, and tire performance under real-world racing conditions.

Maksim Grossman Takes on the Ningbo Round

TRI-ACE-supported driver Maksim Grossman competed in the Ningbo round as part of the international field.

Driving the No. 44 Toyota Supra for TIMEUP, Grossman recorded an 88-point best qualifying score, placing him 13th in the qualifying results. He then advanced into the Top 16 tandem battles.

In the Top 16, Grossman faced Pawel Korpulinski in a competitive tandem battle. His performance in Ningbo once again demonstrated the level of competition in the Royal Drift Series and the demands placed on professional drift drivers and their tires.

For TRI-ACE, supporting drivers such as Maksim Grossman is part of a long-term commitment to professional drifting. Competition provides valuable feedback from drivers who continuously push vehicles and tires to their limits.

Lin Gaoyuan Makes His Mark in Professional Drifting

Another major highlight of the Royal Drift Series Ningbo Round was the appearance of Lin Gaoyuan.

Best known internationally for his table tennis career, Lin Gaoyuan has also entered the world of motorsport and obtained a professional racing license. At the Ningbo round, he competed with DKS Yuanjian Drift Team as driver No. 319, driving a Toyota Supra powered by a 2JZ engine.

Lin Gaoyuan completed the event with a score of 48 points.

His participation attracted considerable attention from both motorsport fans and his existing sports audience, creating an interesting connection between professional sports and drifting culture.

For TRI-ACE, motorsport is not only about competition results. It is also about connecting with drivers, teams, fans, and the growing global drift community.

Why Drift Tires Matter in Professional Competition

A professional drift tire needs to provide a carefully controlled balance between grip and slip.

Unlike ordinary road driving, drifting requires the rear tires to maintain a controlled sliding angle while the driver manages throttle, steering, speed, and vehicle balance.

Several tire characteristics can influence drift performance, including:

Grip level

Heat resistance

Tire construction

Sidewall stiffness

Tread design

Rubber compound

Steering response

Consistency during repeated runs

Predictable behavior under high temperatures

For professional drift drivers, predictable tire behavior is particularly important. Drivers need to understand how the tire will respond when the vehicle enters a corner, transitions from one direction to another, or increases throttle during a drift.

This is why competition experience is an important part of developing high-performance drift tires.

TRI-ACE: Developing Tires Through Real Racing

TRI-ACE has been involved in international drift competitions for many years, using motorsport as an important platform for tire development and brand communication.

From professional drift championships to regional competitions and track events, real racing environments allow TRI-ACE to gain valuable feedback from professional drivers and teams.

The experience gained from competition can be applied to the development of performance-oriented tires for different driving scenarios.

For global distributors, drift teams, performance workshops, and motorsport businesses, this racing experience also provides a reference when selecting drifting tires for professional and performance applications.

Royal Drift Series Ningbo Round: A Strong International Field

The 2026 RDS Ningbo Round featured drivers from different countries and regions, creating a highly competitive international field.

At the end of the event, Artem Shabanov took the event victory, followed by Kiryl Matskevich in second place and Sebastian Fontijn in third. All three drivers advanced through a competitive Top 4 final stage.

The results once again highlighted the level of competition within the Royal Drift Series and the increasing international attention surrounding professional drifting in China.

For tire manufacturers, events like the Royal Drift Series are valuable opportunities to experience the demands of modern drift competition first-hand.

TRI-ACE Tires and the Future of Drift Racing

The Ningbo round was another chapter in TRI-ACE's ongoing involvement in the drift racing community.

Working with drivers such as Maksim Grossman and supporting the development of motorsport culture around events such as the Royal Drift Series allows TRI-ACE to stay close to the real needs of professional drivers.

At the same time, the participation of Lin Gaoyuan demonstrates how drifting continues to attract new drivers and audiences from outside traditional motorsport.

As professional drifting continues to develop globally, TRI-ACE will continue to focus on performance tire development, driver feedback, and real-world competition experience.

From drift tires and semi-hot-melt tires to performance tires for track applications, TRI-ACE aims to provide tire solutions for drivers and businesses that demand more from their tires.

About TRI-ACE Drift Tires

TRI-ACE is a Chinese tire brand with extensive experience in performance and motorsport applications.

The brand has supported drift competitions and professional drivers in different markets, while continuously developing performance-oriented tire products for demanding driving environments.

For distributors, racing teams, workshops, and motorsport businesses looking for drift tires, performance tires, or semi-hot-melt tires, TRI-ACE provides a range of products designed for different applications and market requirements.

TRI-ACE Tires - Driven by Racing. Developed for Performance.