Born: | April 10, 1985 | |
Hometown: | Derry, NH | |
Awards: | 2008 Formula D Driver of the Year | |
Formula D Statistics | ||
Best Series Finish: | 2nd in 2009 | |
First Event: | 2007 Round 1 (Long Beach, CA) | |
First Win: | 2009 Round 1 (Long Beach, CA) | |
Last Win: | 2022 Round 1 (Long Beach, CA) |
Ryan Tuerck (born April 10, 1985) is an American professional drifter from Derry, New Hampshire who currently competes in the U.S. Formula Drift series.
Ryan is a social media personality and driver of the RainX Toyota Corolla Hatchback, a part of the Papadakis Racing organization.
Notable projects include the YouTube series Tuerck’d, Network A’s Drift Garage, and the Gumout Blackout series. A build series on a Ferrari engine-swapped Toyota 86 known as the Toyota GT4586 has generated nearly 70 million impressions since its 2016 launch.
Tuerck started his motorsport career on two wheels, racing in the AMA motocross series in his early teens.
In addition to campaigning a full Formula Drift season, he maintains a full demo and appearance calendar. A New Hampshire native, Tuerck now lives in Los Angeles.
At the age of nine, his father bought him his first dirt bike, and by ten years old he started racing motocross, where he saw minor success. At 16, he received his professional license from the American Motocross Association (AMA), and by 17, Ryan earned the opportunity to travel to Canada, to race in the Canadian Nationals. Include a 5th place finish in the 125cc Canadian Nationals Championship, as well as qualifying for Budds Creek, and Unadilla in the AMA Motocross Nationals.
In 2003, Tuerck competed at his first formal event at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, where he met future “Drift Alliance” teammates Tony Angelo, Chris Forsberg, and Vaughn Gittin Jr. Ryan placed first in his first formal competition.
Before joining Formula D, he completed in Drift Mania Canadian Championship. In 2005, Tuerck Competed in Two Rounds of Formula Drift, getting noticed by a few sponsors. In 2006, Tuerck completed a full Formula Drift season. In 2007, Tuerck finished 15th in the Formula Drift championship. In 2008, Tuerck was picked up by Gardella Racing and drove a 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP sponsored by Gardella Racing, Mobil 1, GM Racing, and Maxxis Tires. Following in 2009, Tuerck finished 3rd in the Formula Drift championship, winning twice at Long Beach and Irwindale. In 2011, Tuerck drove the 2011 Mobil 1/Red Bull Chevrolet Camaro, finishing 15th in the championship. In 2012, He finished the season in fifth after a third-place finish at Irwindale.
Tuerck also takes part in a missile drifting group based out of Englishtown, NJ called "Blood Masters".
For the 2022 Formula Drift Season, Tuerck is driving a Toyota GR Corolla built by Papadakis Racing. He is sponsored by Rain-X, Nitto Tire, and Toyota Racing.
Ryan's current Pro Car is a Toyota GR Corolla built by Papadakis Racing. The title sponsors are, Rain-X and Nitto Tire.
Ryan's previous SEMA build, is a Ferrari-powered Toyota 86 and frequently appears in demos, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Ryan also drives the Papadakis Racing Toyota Corolla Hatchback Demo Car that was most recently at the Gridlife Alpine Horizon Festival.
Ryan is also working on an "East Coast" Toyota 86, that was originally the "$25k Baja 86". Both builds have a series posted on YouTube.
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The 2018 Formula D season was the fifteenth season of the Formula D series. The season began on April 7 at Long Beach and concluded on October 13 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale after eight events. The series celebrated its 100th championship round at Wall Speedway.
The 2021 Formula D season was the eighteenth season of the Formula D series. The season began on May 8 at Road Atlanta and concluded on October 23 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale after eight events.
The 2020 Formula D season was the seventeenth season of the Formula D series. The season began on September 5 at World Wide Technology Raceway and concluded on November 22 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale after eight events.
The 2019 Formula D season was the sixteenth season of the Formula D series. The season began on April 6 at Long Beach and concluded on October 19 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale after eight events.
The 2022 Formula D season was the nineteenth season of the Formula D series. The season began on April 2 at Long Beach and concluded on October 15 at Irwindale Speedway after eight events.