SHINJI MINOWA: LEGEND OF THE DRIFT WORLD

Step into the world of Shinji Minowa, legend of the drifting community and owner of Heyman Products, an automotive fabrication shop in the outskirts of Tokyo and profound drift team. Specialising in suspension components, his work can be found on cars around the world, old and new. Something I’ve always been curious about is the name Heyman…why? Shinji told me it comes from when he worked at a nearby US Air Force base and people would always say “Hey man!” to him, and the name stuck.

The workshop is full of character, with parts and tools strewn all over the place, no doubt organized chaos.

Step into the receiption and the theme continues…but this time it’s trophies and medals in place of tools.

Inside this small space however are two special cars representing drifting history. Tucked away in a dusty corner is his Toyota AE86, the car he used to transition from street drifter to professional, and at the entrance of the shop underneath plastic sheets is a very significant car, the Team Toyo Tires Nissan S13 that belonged to Atsushi Kuroi, an amazing driver who passed away in 2010.

Not only is Shinji an accomplished competitive drifter, madman street drifter, and skilled engineer, he’s the father of Hiroya Minowa, 14 year old sensation who competes at the highest level, and husband to Masayo Minowa, who also competes at the highest level. One big family affair.