Two Kengushi beasts - Lexus IS500 and Toyota GR86

Kenshiro Gushi is one of those drifters who have grown together with this sport from the very beginning. This year has been very intense for this Japanese drifter as he participated in both the Formula Drift USA and Japan series. In the Japanese series, Kengushi uses a very interesting and amazing-looking Lexus Is500 chassis and on the other side of the pond in the USA, he uses the very popular Toyota GR86 chassis. Both cars use sequential 5-speed gearboxes from Samsonas Motorsport. These cars are pretty much identical, but at the same time completely different. We asked Kengushi more about the cars and the drifting itself and are very grateful for the very good insights.

Tell why you chose the rare Lexus Is500 chassis for drifting?

I work closely with Kazama Auto in Japan for the Japanese Formula Drift Series. 3 years ago in 2022, I got an offer to drive for his team in his VR38 Samsonas powered Lexus RC. Through the year, we connected with Lexus Japan and they offered to provide a brand new IS500 F Sport Performance to use in drift. Kazama then debuted the IS500 with a 2JZ and Samsonas at the following Tokyo Auto Salon in 2023 with intent to compete full season in Formula Drift Japan.

In Formula Drift in the USA, you use a Toyota GR86 chassis, which is much more common than a Lexus. What was the reason for this choice?

For the USA series, I am a driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing in North America. The TGR team has 3 official drivers with each representing a branch of the GR line-up. Aasbo represents the GR Supra, Tuerck the GR Corolla, and I represent the GR86 brand. I competed for GReddy Performance in the previous generation ZN6 86 so it was only natural that I came back with the ZN8 GR86.

How long have you been using Samsonas gearboxes? What was your first impression and how does it help you achieve your goals?

I have been using Samsonas since 2016 in all of my drift cars. Samsonas has made a world of difference in terms of gearbox reliability and driving performance. Shifting is quicker and more precise than ever. And the gearboxes are very simple to service.

What is the difference between the GR86 and the Lexus Is500 chassis? Do you have to adapt your driving style? Or is one or the other more suited to the tracks in the USA and Japan?

The two cars are very different. Although both cars share the same engine and drivetrain, the driving characteristics are worlds apart. For one, the IS500 has a much longer wheel base so it feels nimble. The GR86 on the other hand seems to move and rotate quicker than the IS500. Both cars weigh about the same but with the very different suspension and wheel base, I feel like I drive them with very different strategies. Considering the IS500 has a long wheel base, with the proper setup we were able to achieve a car that allows it to rotate quick with a lot of traction. I feel like the IS500 would be very versatile in both the USA and Japanese series.

Are there perhaps some special features or unusual solutions in the Lexus and GR86?

Both my Lexus IS500 and my GR86 share a very similar package. Although they carry the same 2JZ and a Samsonas universal sequential box, each car has its own habits and characteristics. The GR86 tends to be more violent, while the IS500 is much more nimble and easy to drive. I believe each are suited to their respective series.

Can you briefly summarise your season in the USA and Japan?

In the Japanese Formula Drift series, we successfully podiumed 3 out of the 6 rounds and finished 2nd place in the overall championship. We had a good run in 2024 and we are ready to attack for the overall championship in 2025.

On the other hand, we were met with a plethora of challenges in the USA series which tested our patience. But we were able to learn a lot and take away with more data that we plan on applying for 2025.

What are the biggest differences in the drifting scene in the USA and Japan?

The tracks and track layouts are the biggest difference. The US series has 8 rounds and out of the 8 rounds, 4 of them are round tracks with walls. Japanese tracks don’t have ovals layouts so the driving style can vary.

Japanese drivers also tend to be a little more respectful in damaging other competitors cars.

Can you give some technical details of Toyota and Lexus?

Sure. My Toyota GR86 is powered by a GReddy Performance crate 3.2liter 2JZ mated to a 5sp Samsonas sequential. Its power output is about 950whp with nitrous. My Lexus IS500 has a Tomei 3.6l 2JZ with about 1100whp mated to a 5sp Samsonas sequential box. We are using a BullDog quick change differential in both cars. The GR86 has full WiseFab suspension arms equipped while the Lexus IS500 has Agent K custom arms from Japan.

Why drifting? Why did you get hooked on drifting?

My father and I were avid rally fans and we started rallying back in the early 2000s. Then came drifting from Japan and we instantly got hooked. That was back when drifting was still very much a grassroots sport. I always find something to learn behind the wheel and the progression has never stopped.

What is the future for these cars and for you?

The GR86 will forever be my prized possession. Once I retire the car, I will clean it up and park it in my museum! I wish I can build a replica IS500 for the states but for now, I will have to admire it from across the pond!