Josh Robinson (Founder)
Josh Robinson is a multi-disciplined race car driver from Australia. His interest in cars started before he could walk and the same year he attained a car licence he started competing in local grass roots autocross / autokhana competition.
In 2017 Josh became the first Australian driver to be granted a Formula Drift license. Known internally as “003″, his team built the next evolution of his highly successful Holden Ute, featuring a bespoke carbon fibre body and supercharged 1,000 horsepower LS3 engine. On its debut at Hoonigan’s headquarters at Long Beach in California, it was said to be the craziest car they ever had.
In 2008 he progressed to tarmac rallying where he won champion rookie in the Dutton Rally National Series in a 360awhp Mitsubishi Evolution 9. The following year he placed 2nd in the Australian Tarmac Championship. He went on to win more than a dozen events in the following years driving his Evo 9 rally car before progressing to the 650awhp Blue Demon Evo.
In December 2012 while working in China, Josh was invited to try drifting in Japan at the Ebisu Circuit. Like many people before him, he discovered drifting was the most fun he ever had in a car. It was there he was invited to be a team guest at the Odaiba D1GP season finale. In 2013 Josh competed in the Japanese G1GP drift series while building the HSV Maloo. He completed his first season with a best finish of 2nd in Drift Challenge Australia, losing only to American Formula Drift driver Chelsea DeNofa.
In the 2015 off-season Josh broke both legs in a boating accident leaving him in a wheelchair then on crutches for 4 months during rehabilitation. Undeterred and with the goal of earning a U.S. Formula Drift license, he installed soft rubber on the drivers floor of his race car to reduce the pain to a level he could practice. The strategy paid off as he finished in 2nd place in the 2016 Japanese G1GP championship.
Josh and his team built a 1,000 horsepower, carbon kevlar bodied, BMW E92 HGK Eurofighter for the 2020/21 Formula Drift championship.
Josh started Texas Drift Academy to have drifting classes that he didn’t have growing up. He created these drift courses to serve every experience level, and added stunt driving techniques to the courses over the years. Most students are looking for a driving experience or advanced racing school. Both types of students are served well at Texas Drift Academy.
Jeff (Fleet Manager & Coach)
I’ve always being drawn to cars and motorsport since being young, in 2004/2005 I started participating in Auto X with my dad which led to me getting a Honda S2000.
While attending UTI, I happened to come across Formula Drift on TV one late night and was instantly taken into the idea of sliding my car. I started taking my car to empty parking lots in the late hours of the night/early morning and began the journey of self learning the skills of drifting.
Around 2008/2009 while still in love with drifting I was still participating in Auto X and wanted to find a way to do both more. Me and another co-worker at the time came up with the idea of hosting Gymkhana event. During this time I really honed my car control skills.
In 2010 I began to work at a RoadCourse race track as a mechanic. During my time there I learned a lot about building vehicles for motorsport and refined my automotive mechanical craftsmanship. I was also able to compete in various endurance and sprint races. Claiming some wins and several top 10 finishes.
In 2013 I decided to go full in on Drifting and turn my S2000 into a ProAm car. I found out early on that the chassis was going to be difficult to be competitive with, and was told by many that it wouldn’t work but that only fueled me to prove myself and my car. Since then i have developed a competitive platform in ProAm drifting claiming multiple podium finishes, and consistently finding myself in to ten points.
In 2019 I was presented with the opportunity to Build and help campaign Josh Robinson’s new Euroofighter E92 BMW for Formula Drift, which led to a great friendship and my current position with Texas Drift Academy.
Jack (Head Coach & Media)
During high school, my friends and I were captivated by online drifting videos, especially those from Hoonigan and Ken Block. My love for cars and motorsports grew, with drifting becoming my ultimate passion. In 2018, during my junior year, I attended an intense Formula Drift event at Texas Motor Speedway with my friends. We were instantly hooked, and a ride-along at a Lonestar drift event sealed the deal.
This newfound enthusiasm led me to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio, where I pursued an education in Automotive/Hi Performance Engineering. I earned an associate’s degree and later a bachelor’s degree in Motorsports Marketing. Currently, I’m on my way to completing an MBA. Alongside my studies, I seized every opportunity to improve my drifting skills. I began with a $200 BMW e36 that I drove to drift events around the Midwest using free tires from my school’s tire shop.
During my college years, my friends and I took the initiative to create a drift school on our university campus, utilizing the available skidpad. We meticulously crafted a curriculum and implemented a grading structure to facilitate effective instruction for fellow students. It was during this period that we had the opportunity to introduce UNOH to Ryan Sage and Formula Drift at SEMA, an encounter that subsequently sparked a highly thrilling partnership.
After two years of dedication, I upgraded to a 1997 BMW M3 with an SLR Ultra angle kit. This car, acquired from Aaron Losey of Lonestar Drift, became a reliable tool throughout my drifting journey. With consistent efforts, I made my mark in the drifting scene, especially when I drove extensively in Texas and Oklahoma during 2022. I participated in various events, including two memorable “drift weeks” where I drove across the country to California in my purpose built drift car. This past season I obtained my first podium in my 170 HP e36 M3, I got second place at round 1 of Lonestar Drift’s street league series.
My professional journey extends beyond the realm of driving, encompassing my role as a mechanic within Formula Drift teams. Notably, I played a part in contributing to Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s first place finish at Formula Drift Atlanta. In addition, I’ve been involved in the maintenance of Rome Charpentier’s, Geoff Denoti’s, and Faruk Kugay’s Formula Drift cars. Beyond mechanics, I’ve also ventured into the marketing domain. Notably, I collaborated with my alma mater and Formula Drift to pioneer the first student internship program with Formula Drift, which has allowed my peers to work in Formula Drift while pursuing their degrees. This unique blend of hands-on experience and opportunities in business and marketing fills me with anticipation for the promising chapters that lie ahead.
As I continue my journey, I’m excited to push further towards my ultimate goal: competing alongside professional drifters at the highest level. This upcoming season, I’ll be drifting a C6 Corvette, keeping my eyes set on that dream.
Sam
Co-owner / Coach
Jordan “LJ”
Operations Mgr.
Andrew
Coach / Mechanic
Charlie
Coach
Rey
Coach
Dan
Coach / Mechanic
