What Is D1 Grand Prix Thailand?
D1 Grand Prix Thailand is the Thai edition of the world's original professional drifting championship. Run under the D1 Grand Prix banner founded in Japan in 2000 by Daijiro Inada and legendary driver Keiichi Tsuchiya, the Thai series brings head-to-head tandem drift battles to venues around Thailand.
The championship is sanctioned by RAAT (the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand). D1GP Thailand attracts the country's top drift drivers, who compete for points across the season in high-angle, high-speed battles judged on line, angle, speed, and style.
The 2026 season marks the 25th anniversary of D1 Grand Prix worldwide. Rounds 1 and 2 ran from April 3 to 5 at the BRIC Drift Track in Buriram. Rounds 3 and 4 are confirmed for November 6 to 8 at IMPACT Lakeside in Muang Thong Thani.
What Racing Categories Compete at D1 Grand Prix Thailand?
D1 Grand Prix Thailand follows the tandem drift battle format that made D1GP famous in Japan. Drivers qualify individually by performing solo drift runs that are scored on entry speed, angle, line, and overall style. The top qualifiers then advance to head-to-head elimination brackets.
In tandem battles, two cars drift the same course simultaneously. The lead car sets the pace while the chase car tries to match or exceed the lead car's line and proximity. Judges score each run, and the driver with the higher combined score advances.
The cars competing range from purpose-built rear-wheel-drive drift machines to heavily modified production cars. Nissan Silvias, Toyota 86s, and BMW 3 Series are common platforms, all stripped down and rebuilt with high-output turbocharged engines, hydraulic handbrakes, and competition suspension setups.
Where Is D1 Grand Prix Thailand Held?
D1 Grand Prix Thailand can move between venues during the season. The 2026 opener was held at the BRIC Drift Track inside Chang International Circuit in Buriram. The confirmed venue for Rounds 3 and 4, from November 6 to 8, is IMPACT Lakeside in Muang Thong Thani.
The BRIC Drift Track is a dedicated drifting facility with high-speed entries and tight technical sections. IMPACT Lakeside gives the November rounds a new setting closer to Bangkok. Check the official event channels before travelling because dates, venue access, and spectator arrangements can vary by round.
What Is the Race Schedule Like?
D1 Grand Prix Thailand rounds typically run over three days. The first day is dedicated to practice sessions where drivers learn the course layout and dial in their car setups. The second and third days feature qualifying runs and the main tandem battle eliminations.
Practice usually begins in the morning and runs through the afternoon. Qualifying and battles continue through the day, with some sessions extending into the evening under lights. The atmosphere builds throughout the weekend as the field narrows to the final podium contenders.
The 2026 season opened with Rounds 1 and 2 in Buriram in April. Rounds 3 and 4 follow at IMPACT Lakeside from November 6 to 8.
Can Spectators Attend D1 Grand Prix Thailand?
Spectator access, admission, and VIP arrangements can vary by round. Check the official D1GP Thailand channels for the November IMPACT Lakeside ticket and access details before travelling.
Streaming availability can also change by round. Follow the official D1GP Thailand Instagram and Facebook pages for current spectator and broadcast information.
Is D1 Grand Prix Thailand Worth Watching?
D1 Grand Prix Thailand is the highest level of competitive drifting in the country and one of the premier motorsport events in Southeast Asia. The combination of purpose-built drift cars, professional drivers, and tandem battles creates an experience that is raw, loud, and genuinely exciting to watch in person.
If you enjoy Thailand's car culture and motorsport, D1GP Thailand delivers something different from traditional circuit racing. The skill required to control a car at extreme angles while maintaining proximity to another car just meters away is remarkable.
Check our Thailand car events calendar for upcoming D1GP Thailand round dates and other motorsport events across the country.
