British duo Ben Broke-Smith and Phil Morrison, driving on Federal 595RS-R tires, set the tone for what the tiremaker hopes will be a winning season by placing first and ninth, respectively, at the 2008 European Drifting Championship at Knockhill Circuit, Scotland, on May 17 and 18.

When meeting Federal Tire’s Jamie Ma for the first time, the enthusiasm the chairman holds for his company and the tyres it makes feels thick enough to grasp with both hands.

Taiwan’s Federal Tire has been in the business for more than half a century, and in recent times has become much involved in motorsports, especially in parts of Asia and the US, with an emphasis on drifting championships much in evidence.