With an ever-present smile and a lot of talent, Maxxis’ sponsored driver Joon Maeng has won the 2007 Formula Drift Spirit of Drifting award. The award was presented at a banquet a day after the season’s final race, held October 13 at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California.

The award took Maeng by surprise: “Suddenly they called my name up, and I was breathless. I didn’t know what to do.” Maeng, who had used a different tire model early in the season, was pleased by his switch to Maxxis’ MA-Z1 Drift. “I started using them at the Sonoma event, and it felt so much better. It has very good traction; it was amazing. I could pretty much do it [drifting] the way I wanted to do it. The traction I was able to achieve was because of the Z1 tires,” Maeng said.

Brandon Bentley, sales representative for Maxxis’ automotive department, was elated. “Maxxis is proud to sponsor an individual like Joon Maeng. Not only does he have great driving talents and is an up and coming driver, but he’s also been voted by his peers as the driver who exemplifies every important aspect of being a drifter,” Bentley said.

Maxxis congratulates Joon Maeng on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for choosing the brand of champions.