Ken Nomura

Drift legend · Japan

Ken Nomura (Nomuken), D1 Grand Prix official driver portrait

RB-powered charisma.

One of the most charismatic drivers of the D1 era, "Nomuken", a star of Japanese motoring media as much as of the competition grid.

Known universally as "Nomuken", Nomura was a front-running D1 Grand Prix competitor whose personality made him a fixture of Japanese car media during the export boom of Best Motoring and Hot Version.

He is the definitive RB-engined Blitz Nissan Skyline ER34 (RB25DET) man of the golden D1 years, one of the drivers who carried Japanese drift culture to Western fans through video before the internet fully took over.

He never took the title, his best D1GP finishes were runner-up (2006 and 2008), but as a personality and media figure he was one of the era's biggest names.

At a glance

  • Role: D1GP showman ("Nomuken")
  • Region: Japan

Career highlights

  • 2006 & 2008: D1GP runner-up. Twice finishes second overall, a perennial front-runner in the Blitz Skyline ER34.
  • Media: Best Motoring / Hot Version star. Helped export Japanese drift culture to the West on video.

Source: D1 Grand Prix, driver profile