After Drifting A Dodge Challenger Hellcat The Drift King Calls Muscle Cars Dangerous

Ask any drifting enthusiast, and they will tell you that the 'Drift King' is the undisputed boss of drifting in the world. Japanese race car driver Keiichi Tsuchiya got the name as he was one of the pioneers of getting around racing circuits and mountain passes sideways in a cloud of tire smoke. At the same time, he has been in multiple racing series, including the top form of racing in Japan, the Super GT (formerly known as Japan Grand Touring Championships or JGTC). So who better than to tackle the 797-all-American horsepower Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye before it gets over 900 horsepower on E85 next year?

The Dodge Challenger is not exported to Japan, but the brand "Da-ji" (how you say Dodge in Japanese) has an odd cult following there, so an intrepid car dealer decided to import one. The whole process of getting a US-spec Dodge Challenger purchased, shipped, safety compliant, and on the road was around a year and a half.

"It sells very well. This wide fender specification is especially popular," says Takahata-san, who owns President's Store, a US car importer dealership just outside Tokyo in the Chiba Prefecture.

The buyer of the car, Suzuki-san, who loaned it out for the DKTV video, added, "I am a believer in Tsuchiya. That's why I like cars like this one." Reaffirming his trust for the 66-year-old racer at the wheel. To which Tsuchiya replied, "Imported from the States? You're a weirdo owner, huh?"

After the small talk and light ribbing among car guys, it was down to business for the retired racer. The former host and driver for Japan's famous Best Motoring videos, Tsuchiya has driven thousands of cars from OEM to the wildest drift shop builds and pro race cars. Surely he can handle an automatic Chally Hellkitten, right?