meet the athlete

Rich Whiteman

A Tire Streets grassroots drift athlete with over a decade of seat time, a 350HP 1991 Nissan PS13, and a setup built for simple, predictable laps that make every session count.

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MEET Rich Whiteman

From Motocross to Drifting

Rich Whiteman started in motocross before making the switch to cars, eventually finding drifting and sticking with it for the past 12 years. His approach today is simple: don’t overcomplicate the car.

After chasing max grip and ending up with a setup that was hard to drive, he now prioritizes balance, predictability, and seat time. Accelera 651 tires keep the car consistent and easy to drive lap after lap.

For Rich, it’s about trust in the setup every time he hits the track. After 3 years with Tire Streets, the partnership is about more than tires, it’s about running a setup that makes sense, showing up to the right events, and driving alongside a community on the same program.

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in his words

why tire streets

“I wanted to become a Tire Streets athlete because it gives me access to amazing events, top-quality tires, and the opportunity to be part of a team alongside many of my friends.”

- RICH WHITEMAN

RICH WHITEMAN's Drift Setup

No Two Cars Run The Same

Rich’s PS13 is built around a simple idea: the easier the car is to understand, the more confident the driver can be. Instead of chasing the most aggressive setup possible, he focuses on balance, predictability, and a tire package that keeps him driving.

Built for seat time

1991 Nissan PS13 Drift Setup

  • Tires: Accelera 651 Sport
  • Tire Size (F/R): Front 235/40R17, Rear 263/35R18
  • Horsepower: 350HP
  • Wheels: Rays OG TE37 fronts, mix of Rays 57DR / CR / C6 for rears
  • Cold Pressure: 14 PSI sweet spot
  • Alignment (F/R): -7 front, 0 rear
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RICH’S PRO TIP

Make It Predictable

"Don’t make the car hard to drive. I keep mine simple: cut knuckles, minimal rear toe, good coil covers, and Accelera 651 Sport tires. The more predictable the car is, the easier it is to trust it lap after lap."

DRIVER PICK

BUILT ON THIS TIRE

The exact tire behind the setup - and why it works when it matters.

the do-it-all drift tire

Accelera 651 sport

  • Why I Run It: “The 651 keeps the car fun, predictable, and affordable to drive often.”
  • What Changed: “I’ve run higher-grip and more expensive tires before, but the 651 gives me the balance I actually want.”
  • What I’m Pushing For: “More seat time, more consistent laps, and a setup that stays simple instead of overcomplicated.”
  • How Long It Lasts: “At Englishtown, I usually see 6–8 laps on the road course and around 4 laps on full-track runs.”
  • Where It Performs Best: “It works as an all-around drift tire, especially once it’s scrubbed in and up to temperature.”
  • Rich’s Setup Tip: “Get them hot. Once the 651 Sport is scrubbed in and up to temp, it comes alive for a lot of laps.”
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get to know rich whiteman

off track

favorite track

"Englishtown - the place where I learned everything and the track feels like home."

dream car

"Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. The McMurtry looks fun too, but the CLK GTR is the coolest thing ever."

driving style

"Fun first - simple, predictable, and built for more laps."

fun fact

"I have four Shibas, and they're all goofballs."

Outside Motorsports

"I’m into hunting, fishing, aviation, outdoor hobbies, and I’ve been exploring road racing too."