Nate Chen

At 31 years old, Nate Chen - a drifter from Washington, D.C. has turned a lifelong love of cars and racing into a career competing on the professional drifting stage. Like many enthusiasts, his passion started early. Growing up watching Speed Racer, NASCAR, and the The Fast and the Furious franchise, racing culture was always a part of his world. Video games like Gran Turismo and a collection of diecast cars only fueled the obsession further. One of his favourites growing up was a Hot Wheels Kyle Petty #44 car, memorable for its unique blue and red wheel combination.

One of the biggest highlights of Chen's career came when he secured his first Formula Drift podium at Englishtown. The moment carried even more meaning because the venue had played a role in his life years earlier. Back in 2009, as a 15-year-old, he somehow managed to secure a professional media pass for D1 Grand Prix at the same location. Standing on the podium there years later was a full circle moment. To make things even better, he followed it up with his first Formula Drift victory at the next round in St. Louis.

Behind the wheel, he competes in a purpose-built Toyota GT86. The car is powered by a Dart LS Next 440ci nitrous-assisted V8 producing around 850 horsepower, delivering explosive power when the nitrous system engages and the engine climbs into high revs.

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?

For Chen, Carolina Motorsports Park stands out as a favourite. The track features multiple entries where speeds can exceed 110mph, creating a thrilling combination of speed and commitment. It is intimidating, but that challenge is exactly what makes it so rewarding to drive.

What hobbies do you have outside of racing?

Away from drifting, Chen has a wide range of creative hobbies. He enjoys experimenting with cocktail recipes, DJing, and staying active through skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding. The variety keeps life interesting when he is not behind the wheel.

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

For drivers looking to get started, Chen believes practice is essential, but success rarely happens alone. Building the right team around you is just as important as time behind the wheel.

Dream street car?

When it comes to dream street cars, two machines stand out - a Bayside Blue Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 or his own Toyota GR Supra built as the ultimate street machine. Both represent iconic performance platforms that perfectly capture the spirit of Japanese car culture.