Stephan Papadakis
Team owner Stephan Papadakis is a legend of sport-compact racing. Born in New York and raised in Huntington Beach, he has spent a career on the leading edge of the aftermarket.
His successful vehicles challenge expectations and set industry trends, and he has built a dedicated following for his distinctively approachable brand of content. On YouTube, Papadakis has garnered a sizable audience for his frequent uploads highlighting the technical aspects of racing and vehicle performance.
Since joining Formula Drift in 2004, Papadakis’ winning vehicles include the landmark V8-powered Scion tC, and the current 1,000-horsepower, 4-cylinder rear-wheel-drive converted Toyota Corolla hatchback – which won its first outing in 2018. The team is the most winning in series history.
Papadakis established his reputation as an innovator in the 1990s with the first front-wheel-drive, tube-chassis drag car in the U.S. His drag racing team earned multiple records and championships, turning in elapsed times and trap speeds previously thought unattainable in front-drive drag cars.
His award-winning vehicles are fan favorites, capturing public interest with dedicated media features, high-profile displays and notable exhibitions in the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Prior to his first drift build, a Honda S2000 machine, his notable builds included the AEM Drag Honda Civic Hatchback, the 2001 AEM Drag Honda Civic Coupe, and the rear-wheel drive AEM/DriverFX.com Honda Civic.
ONLINE:Team website: www.papadakisracing.com
Instagram: @StephPapadakis
Facebook: @PapadakisRacing
YouTube: www.youtube.com/
Career highlights:
2022 Formula Drift Championship title (with driver Fredric Aasbo)2022 Formula Drift Championship third place (with driver Ryan Tuerck)
2021 Formula Drift Championship title (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2020 Formula Drift Championship third place (with driver Ryan Tuerck)
2019 Formula Drift Championship runner-up (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2018 Formula Drift Championship runner-up (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2017 Formula Drift Championship runner-up (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2016 Formula Drift Championship runner-up (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2015 Formula Drift Championship title (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2014 Formula Drift Championship runner-up (with driver Fredric Aasbo)
2012 Formula Drift Team Manager of the Year
2010 Formula Drift Championship runner-up (with driver Tanner Foust)
2008 Formula Drift Championship (with driver Tanner Foust)
2007 Formula Drift Championship (with driver Tanner Foust)
2005 Formula Drift Rookie of the Year
World’s Quickest Honda (RWD)
First Honda into the 6s (RWD)
First Honda into the 7s (RWD)
First Drag Honda to break 200 MPH (RWD)
Member of NHRA Sport Compact 200 MPH Club
World’s Fastest Sport Compact (RWD)
First Honda in the 9s (FWD)
First Front-Wheel-Drive in the 8s
First FWD to break 150 MPH
First FWD to break 160 MPH
First FWD to break 170 MPH
First FWD to break 180 MPH
World’s Quickest FWD
World’s Fastest FWD
1999 SEMA Import Racer of the Year
2000 Turbo Magazine Outlaw Class Racer of the Year
2001 NIRA Pro FWD Champion
2001 IDRC Outlaw Class Champion
2000 NIRA Pro Comp Champion
2000 IDRC Outlaw Class runner-up