Photography Credit: Charles Guinto / The Lounge Booth

MORE THAN A CAR

The bleachers are packed shoulder to shoulder at Long Beach. The smell of fuel and popcorn mixes in the air, and over the skids of tires on asphalt come brief moments of pause — the kind that let you take in the artistry of the drift — quickly followed by cheers, applause, and the roar of engines.

Logos are everywhere. Every booth has at least five banners on display — part convention, part backyard tailgate. Someone offers shots at a nearby tent while kids chase after life-sized race cars, clutching model ones in their tiny fists.

Sixteen-year-old Hiroya Minowa — known simply as Hiro — is preparing for the last race of the U.S. Formula Drift season.

 

 

His parents, Shinji and Masayo, stand just a few feet away, communicating with him in Japanese. When talking with the rest of the Jerry Yang Racing crew, the family switches to English. Their grammar falters sometimes, but their fluency in racing vocabulary bridges every gap.

The Minowas are drifting royalty

This family, they are pioneers from Japan’s early scene who helped shape the sport into what it is today. Yet despite that legacy, they remain deeply approachable. Fans, fellow racers, and curious onlookers alike are greeted warmly, offered photos and autographs, and quickly find themselves texting friends: “OMG just met Hiro! Dude’s our age!”

You can see why Shinji says racing is about more than just the car — it’s about the people around you, the trust you build, and the family that stands with you through every turn.

FAMILY FIRST, TEAM SECOND

The Minowa family — father Shinji, mother Masayo, and son Hiroya — or Team Minowa is more than a race crew; it’s a living, breathing circle of support that extends beyond the garage.

“Motorsport is something you can’t do alone,” Hiroya shares. “Everyone who helps make the races happen — the fans, mechanics, and sponsors — they’re all part of our team.”

“From the start, we always had friends who supported us,” Shinji says. “As my wife started, she got her supporters; when Hiro began, he got his own. That circle just kept growing.”

The name Team Minowa actually began on Instagram — a casual account Masayo created to document their family’s drift journey.

“Having a family of three all drifting together was unusual,” Shinji laughs. “That’s where Team Minowa began.”

Each family member has their own page, but Team Minowa, mostly managed by Masayo, is where everything comes together. Unlike the stage moms of the pageant world, Masayo isn’t behind the scenes— she’s a racer herself, often drifting tandem alongside her son and husband.

A LEGACY BUILT ON THE TRACK

Hiroya learned by doing — watching his parents, driving small cars until the tires popped, and absorbing lessons about precision, humility, and gratitude.

“Everything I am now is thanks to my parents — from how to build cars to how to drift,” Hiroya says.

“I used to go to my dad’s company every day and drive until the tires would pop. I have great memories of those days,” he adds as his dad shakes his head at the memory.

THE CAR & THE COLLECTION

“It’s exciting to see our car represent more than just racing,” Hiroya says. “The wrap, the design, the logos — it’s part of a bigger collection, part of who we are now."

Hiroya’s GT86 has become a rolling canvas for Team Minowa’s story. The car now features birb. + UPRISERS logos alongside its signature sponsor decals — a nod to both family roots and creative collaborations.

“It’s not just aesthetics,” Shinji adds. “Every element of the car, every sponsor, every logo — it’s all part of a team effort. It’s how we show gratitude to the people supporting us.”

“When fans see the car at an event,” Masayo says, “they see our family and our journey — not just a driver or a logo. That’s what makes it special.”

FROM MOUNTAIN ROADS TO THE WORLD STAGE

For Shinji, the transformation of drift culture has been astonishing.

“When I started, hardly anyone knew what drifting was. It began on mountain roads — the underground scene. Now it’s global — Japan, America, Europe.”

When asked if the illegal street era was more fun, he furrows his brow a bit before answering.

“I didn’t drift because it was illegal — I did it because it was fun. Now we can do it safely, on proper circuits. I much prefer that.”

Masayo remembers the skepticism when Hiro started young.

“People thought a kid shouldn’t be drifting. It was hard for adults to understand he was capable and serious.”

She learned to tune out the negativity. “Sometimes we get DMs, but I ignore the comments — the best way to show them it works is through Hiro’s success and effort.”

SETBACK & RESET

When Hiroya didn’t qualify for Formula Drift USA in his first season, the family faced a tough decision: stay in Japan another year or take a risk abroad.

“In 2022, we didn’t make it into the top three and had to decide whether to stay in Japan or go to the U.S.,” Hiroya recalls. “We chose to stay, worked hard, and the next year I earned my Formula Drift USA license.”

During races, Shinji acts as Hiroya’s spotter, communicating via headset while Masayo films and documents everything. After every round — win or lose — they review footage, exchange feedback, and reset for the next event.

“When I lose, my dad gives me feedback right away. Then we watch the videos together and I train again,” Hiroya says. “Instead of feeling down, I focus on improving for the next round.”

Asked if he has any rituals before a race, he smiles:
 
“No ritual, but before every race, I hug both my parents. Every single time.”

 

SHORELINE SHOWDOWN

Watching them at Long Beach, it’s hard to believe that Hiroya is still just a teenager. His custom race suit mirrors the bold design of his GT86 — a striking mix of red, yellow, and white with dynamic graphic panels and sponsor logos from Enkei, GT Radial, and others. He’s literally wearing the responsibility of his role as a working athlete on his back and sleeves. The coordinated palette connects driver and machine, creating a unified visual identity both on and off the track.

After the Shoreline Showdown podium, Hiro signs autographs and joins a podcast interview. His English isn’t fluent — not yet — but his confidence carries him through. He jokes with the hosts, wins over the crowd, and connects easily with younger fans who see themselves in him.

During the ceremony, the MC teased Hiro’s English — a moment that underscored how far he is from home, navigating not just new tracks but new languages and expectations. That’s why it matters that he travels with his team. Team Minowa isn’t just a pit crew — they’re his anchor. Without his parents beside him, the long travel days, culture gaps, and quiet in-betweens might hit harder. Instead, every race becomes another chapter in the same story they’ve been writing together since day one.

“Since before Hiro was born, we’ve always been racing together,” Shinji says. “What started as just us three has grown into a family of supporters around the world.”

Masayo adds, “We’re not just a ‘drift-only’ team — we’re a family that cooperates and prepares together for every race.”

 

Quick Facts
Team Minowa / Jerry Yang Racing
🏁 Driver: Hiroya Minowa (Tokyo, Japan)
🚗 Car: Enjuku Racing / BC Racing / Jerry Yang Racing GT86
🎨 Wrap: Features birb. + UPRISERS logos and design elements
🏆 Event: Formula Drift: Shoreline Showdown, Long Beach 2025
📅 Result: 2nd Place Finish