Cory Talaska

At 30 years old, Cory Talaska - a drifter from Saint Cloud, Wisconsin has spent nearly his entire life around racing. His journey into motorsport started at a very young age thanks to his father, Bill, who was a passionate race fan and wanted to see if Cory would share the same love for competition. It did not take long to find out. What began as weekends spent at the track quickly turned into a lifelong commitment, with countless hours spent both racing and working together in the shop.

A major milestone came during the 2025 season of Formula Drift ProSpec. Talaska and his team started the season strong by winning the opening round in Atlanta. The momentum continued with a third-place finish in Utah, putting them in serious championship contention and marking a huge step forward for the team. The season remains one of the biggest highlights of his career so far.

Behind the wheel, he competes in a purpose-built BMW M3. The car is powered by a RAD Industries-built Toyota 2JZ-GTE VVTi engine featuring an 11:1 compression setup, Garrett G40-1150 turbocharger, Fresh Produce exhaust manifold, Hypertune intake system, Hypertune valve covers, FIC 1600cc injectors, and a 100-shot nitrous system. The result is a powerful and responsive combination producing around 900 wheel horsepower and 780 lb-ft of torque.

For Talaska, the heart of the car is unquestionably the RAD Industries 2JZ engine package. When the team originally built the E36, they debated between running a V8 or the iconic 2JZ platform. In the end, choosing the 2JZ proved to be the right call. The sound, power delivery, and character of the engine make it something truly special every time he drives the car.

Beyond the track, we love to look into the personal lives of these stars!

What is your favourite track or circuit to drive and why?

Talaska’s favourite venue on the calendar is Road Atlanta. The circuit’s unique layout encourages extremely close tandem battles and technical driving lines, making it one of the most exciting tracks on the Formula Drift schedule.

What hobbies do you have outside of racing?

Outside of drifting, Talaska describes himself as a bit of a nerd when it comes to cameras and videography. Creating media and shooting video content is something he finds both fun and relaxing. When he is not behind a camera or behind the wheel, he also enjoys riding dirt bikes, playing video games, and spending time with his golden retriever, Bella.

Any driving tips you would give to someone starting out in motorsport?

For anyone starting out in motorsport, Talaska emphasises perseverance. Racing is full of highs and lows, and progress often takes time. Builds can take longer than expected and the costs can add up, but the moment you finally get behind the wheel and drive the finished car makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

Dream street car?

His dream street build is something he hopes to make a reality in the future - a widebody Toyota Mark II finished in black with oversized chrome wheels, combining aggressive style with classic Japanese performance.