To the Ultimate Stage with Takahiro Ueno and the Soarer!
Together with Takahiro Ueno and the Ultimate Soarer!
The “Kyoso 2027” Project Launches!
Aiming for D1 Victory Together
Hello to all Takahiro Ueno fans, VERTEX fans,Soarer fans, and drift fans!
We are the “Kyoso 2027” Project Team!
The “Kyoso 2027” Project has launched as a countdown to D1 driver Takahiro Ueno’s Last Run.
Our goal is to bring together our sponsors, fans, Soarer lovers,
and everyone who loves drifting to build excitement for Takahiro Ueno’s final season,
ensuring his Last Run takes place on the ultimate stage.
There are two things we want to achieve with the Kyoso 2027 Project.
・To revive the ultimate drift machine, the “Soarer,” with modern specifications.
・To achieve victory in Takahiro Ueno’s 200th D1 Grand Prix race.
25 years ago, Ueno’s Soarer began its journey alongside the history of D1. By reviving this
legendary machine with the latest technology and the power of our fans, we aim to reach the
vertex together with Ueno on the monumental stage of his 200th race.
Furthermore, this project is a challenge to ‘Run Together’.
“Kyoso 2027” is not just a project for Takahiro Ueno and TEAM VERTEX.
Our theme is ‘Kyoso’, running together with our sponsors, fans, and everyone who loves drifting.
Your support becomes part of the Soarer, and your backing becomes Ueno’s strength.
Furthermore, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of T&E, the tuning parts manufacturer led by
Takahiro Ueno. Coinciding with this milestone, we are bringing the Soarer, where it all began for him,
back to the D1 circuit. Let’s revive the ‘Ueno × Soarer’ legend on the ultimate stage, and together,
seize the unprecedented recordof 200 consecutive D1 Grand Prix entries and his long-awaited victory!
We’ve come up with as many ways as possible for you to get involved!
We look forward to your support!
Ueno is Soarer. Soarer is Ueno.
Takahiro Ueno began competing in the 30 Soarer at the very first round of the inaugural D1 Grand Prix in 2001.
The image of ‘30 Soarer = Takahiro Ueno’ is recognized worldwide, making him an icon in the world of
30-series Soarer tuning.
He competed in the 30 Soarer from 2001 through the 2008 season.
Tuning the luxury 2-door ‘Soarer’ coupe for drifting, and skillfully utilizing the characteristics of its
heavy body, often seen as a disadvantage, to push the machine to its absolute limits.
Surely, many of you still have vivid memories of that impactful driving style.
He masterfully controlled the Soarer, tuned to nearly 1,000 horsepower with a large turbo and stroker kit,
a true display of expert technique. It was this overwhelming skill that led the ‘Ueno × Soarer’ combination
to victory at Round 4 of the D1 Grand Prix.
From 2009, seeking a new creative challenge, he began competing in a BMW 3 Series Coupe (E92).
However, he faced struggles inherent to import cars, particularly with sourcing parts and dialing in the setup.
In 2016, as the tuning parts manufacturer T&E celebrated its 20th anniversary, Ueno returned to his roots
and switched back to the 30 Soarer. He campaigned this machine until the 2019 season opener at Tsukuba,
leading to his transition to the current Lexus RC.
The centerpiece of the Kyoso 2027 Project is, of course, the 30 Soarer.
Ueno × Soarer. Why don’t we revive this ultimate combination one more time?
Let’s aim for Takahiro Ueno’s 200th consecutive D1 Grand Prix entry and a victory with the ultimate
30 Soarer, built together with all of you. Let’s create the greatest moment of his professional career!
Building the Machine to Win the 200th D1 Grand Prix
The machines competing in the D1 Grand Prix are evolving year by year.
The performance and handling of early D1 machines from 25 years ago are in a completely different
dimension compared to the vehicles of today’s top teams. To win, it is not enough to simply revive the
‘Soarer of the past.’ We must create a ‘Soarer built for the future.’
The Soarer was produced from 1991 to 2001.
It is a machine that symbolizes an era, having journeyed alongside the D1 Grand Prix for nearly its
entire existence.
For Takahiro Ueno to achieve victory in his 200th race with this 30 Soarer,
we cannot simply rely on combining existing parts; we must take on the challenge of building from scratch.
It demands bold customization, not merely swapping or combining existing parts, but developing entirely
new components and challenging ourselves with unprecedented setups.
We will execute an uncompromising build with a single-minded focus on winning. This extends from
bodywork, such as a wide-body conversion and weight reduction, to the drivetrain and the suspension
and braking systems. Every single detail will be optimized for winning.
Please support the development costs we need to win!
In the world of drifting, building a single machine to a winning specification requires development costs
that are truly beyond imagination.
Engine, drivetrain, suspension, bodywork, and various other components.
We tune everything down to the finest detail, test it, and rebuild it time and time again.
Every single part is the lifeblood of the machine, determining the quality of the run.
We aim to build a cutting edge 30 Soarer capable of winning, with the support of our sponsors and fans.
Until now, Takahiro Ueno and TEAM VERTEX have covered a significant portion of the costs through
self-funding, even while receiving support from our sponsors.
Behind this challenge, spanning more than 25 years, lies a powerful conviction:
‘I want to keep driving, no matter what.’ It is this strong desire, along with the tireless effort to stay on the
track, that has fueled his journey.
However, for this upcoming 200th race and the eventual ‘Last Run,’ the goal is to win with a machine built
together with everyone and to achieve victory through the combined strength of all supporters.
Together with the sponsors, fans, Soarer enthusiasts, and everyone who loves drifting, the goal is to
rally together to set the ultimate stage for Takahiro Ueno’s final season and Last Run, and to claim victory
in the 200th race.
To achieve this, your support is humbly requested!
Takahiro Ueno Profile
Born on November 5, 1971, in Muroran City, Hokkaido. In 1996, he established the aero and tuning parts manufacturer “Car Make T&E.” He competed in the inaugural All Japan Pro Drift Championship in 2000 with a Soarer (JZZ30), finishing as the runner-up. With the launch of the D1 Grand Prix in 2001, he began competing in the series with the Soarer. He garnered significant attention for his high level of technical skill, expertly controlling the heavy Soarer chassis. In 2009, he competed with a BMW 3 Series Coupe. In 2016, marking the 20th anniversary of Car Make T&E, he returned to competition with the Soarer. He switched to a Lexus RC in 2019 and, as of 2025, continues to compete for TEAM VERTEX as the longest-tenured active driver. He is known as the “Iron Man” for his continuous participation in the D1 Grand Prix since the very first event.
About T&E Co., Ltd.
An aero and tuning parts manufacturer established in 1996. Originally named ‘Car Make T&E,’ the ‘T’ stands for ‘Technical’ and the ‘E’ for ‘Elegant.’ The company produces high-quality aero parts by leveraging the drifting competition experience of its representative, Takahiro Ueno.
VERTEX serves as the flagship brand. Its design philosophy, guided by Ueno himself, focuses on creating ‘captivating’ aesthetics that remain timeless and never grow tiresome, even after years of ownership. The name VERTEX signifies the ‘summit’ or ‘pinnacle,’ embodying the determination to ‘always look forward and aim for the top.’
In the early days, development was focused on aero parts for the Soarer, and the product’s performance was showcased through Ueno’s actual use in the D1 Grand Prix. Today, the company develops a variety of distinct brands, including VERTEX, DIGNA, LANG, and RIDGE, and sells them to customers worldwide.
