20 Questions with Rad Dan Burkett

Dan Burkett, also known as “Rad Dan,” feels the most alive when he’s behind the wheel of anything with a motor, preferably a beastly one. Sliding sideways is a bonus. The Team AMSOIL Formula Drift Pro driver chose one of the toughest motorsports out there, where overcoming adversity is just part of the game. But Burkett seems up for almost any challenge, competing with a smile and unwavering enthusiasm.

When he’s not shredding rubber on the track, Burkett spends his time designing and fabricating aftermarket parts for his business, RAD Industries based in Crystal River, Fla. He has continuously evolved his RAD Industries MKIV* Toyota* Supra* over the years to get it to the competitive level it’s at today. In the process, he’s gained hard-won expertise and built a business around aftermarket parts for the 2JZ* platform that he races. Today, RAD Industries parts are used in racecars all over the world.

We sat down with Burkett to learn more about his career and what makes him tick.

Q: How long have you been building and competing and how did you get started?

DB: I first got interested in sliding or controlling a counter-steered drift when I was about 12-years old on quads back in my home state of Washington – lots of rain! I was always interested in engines, how things work, so automotive has been a big part of my life even before I had a driver’s license.

The sport of drifting caught my attention, it was only in Japan at the time. So, when it came time to buy my first car, it needed to be rear wheel drive with a limited-slip differential and enough horsepower to spin the tires. From there, one thing led to another. I had a project car at the shop at the time and I crossed paths with a professional drifter competing in Formula Drift. He gave me the opportunity to crew for him and I told myself I have to try it or I will regret it. And here we are today! I started competing PRO in Formula Drift in 2017.

Q: What vehicle do you race?

DB: I race drift car, competition and demo, with a MKIV Toyota Supra with the 2JZ powerplant.

Q: What is it about the MKIV has you hooked? 

DB: The MKIV Supra is a very well-rounded car. It has one of the most reliable powerplants in history and I have always loved the shape and styling of the car. I told myself that if I make it to pro drifting, it needs to be in my favorite car. The 2JZ-GTE didn’t come in any other vehicle in America. The engineering around it was done right, making it one of the main powerplant choices for professional drifting. I think it is pretty cool that my car is the only car that the engine actually came in, and I get to run my dream car in Formula Drift.

Q: It’s easy to see how competition would be hard on drift racecars. What components wear out the most frequently on them? How do lubricants play a role in protecting the racecar? 

DB: Drifting requires a lot of car control. A drifter is using all the tools the car has to offer, throttle, clutch, foot brakes, handbrake, angle kit, etc.  For example, we will enter a corner at 100 mph, put the clutch in, pull the handbrake, stop the rear tires down to zero mph, then let the clutch out and throttle down through the first corner. So, the transmission, clutch, engine and differential couldn’t be in a more demanding situation than in a pro drift car.

Over the years, the parts that frequently break have evolved to larger and stronger units. It is common to go through five clutches in a season. If you aren’t servicing and checking over every drivetrain component, you will have issues come up.

The fluids are changed every race in the engine, transmission and differential, making AMSOIL an integral part to my race program as a whole. AMSOIL keeps my engine, transmission and differential healthy and reliable. When we tore down last year’s race engine, we noticed almost no wear whatsoever on the bearings and engine after a full year of abuse. This definitely gives us confidence moving forward with AMSOIL in our engine.

I am currently using AMSOIL DOMINATOR® 15W-50 Racing Oil in the engine and we run AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-140 Gear Lube in the transmission and the differential.

Q: What do you love most about drift racing as one of the top drivers on the Formula Drift Pro circuit?

DB: There are a handful of drifters that do “tours” outside of a professional, competitive series. I have had the privilege of driving at non-competitive events and, although I enjoyed myself because I was still behind the wheel going sideways, it just wasn’t the same for me without competing alongside some of the best drifters from all over the world in Formula Drift. The level of car builds and talent in the pro circuit is one-of-a-kind. It is the challenge to better yourself that keeps me coming back.

Q: How do you approach new component design and keep your car competitive in the Formula Drift field?

DB: The sport of drifting has evolved extremely quickly in America within just the last 20-plus years. Currently the standard for horsepower is right around 1,000 whp and you’re trying to produce the maximum amount of forward grip out of the chassis. With that said, there is a lot of stress on all the drivetrain components.

Q: How did you get started with RAD Industries?

DB: RAD Industries was created to chase my dream of competing in Formula Drift. One thing led to another, and we started to develop and produce parts for the 2JZ engines that are used on race cars all over the world now.

The cost of the cars has grown to roughly $250K to be competitive. On top of that, the engine management system and electrical systems are also constantly advancing and improving, providing us with more data that allows us to dial in the car and find room for improvements.

My goal with my car is to improve it by roughly 15% each off-season for the following season. This year specifically, I will be running new rear-suspension geometry knuckles and arms that should improve forward traction while in drift. Other upgrades include a different combination of turbo, cams and nitrous for more power. The competition in Formula Drift is high, so improvements are necessary to stay competitive!

Q: What makes your builds competitive or unique?

DB: There are a variety of drift-car builds that are engine swapped. I made it a point to keep the original 2JZ power plant of my MKIV Toyota Supra. Over the years I’ve been running a Supra, I have developed about 15 custom parts for my own race car that I have carried into eCommerce sales internationally. I am often told there are many small details throughout my race car that make it stand out from the rest of the cars on the track.

Q: What is your role mechanically and how does it improve your overall performance?

DB: I am the primary builder, fabricator, engine builder and crew chief for my race car and program. This helps me get direct analysis on an improvement or issues that need to be addressed to keep the racecar competitive and reliable.

Q: What titles have you won or are aiming to win?

DB: In 2022 I won Formula Drift “Performer of the Night” twice. I am currently competing for Formula Drift podiums.

Q: What are the most challenging parts of competition?

DB: Professional drifting has become so competitive, there is no room for error. You have 45 seconds to perform at your absolute best. Drifting is also extremely rough on the racecars, so all areas are very demanding and equally important to stay competitive.

Q: How do you stay motivated and driven?

DB: Motorsports are constantly evolving so this keeps me challenged and continuously setting goals for my car builds and race program.

Q: How do you handle setbacks and what are some key takeaways?

DB: There is always a lesson to be learned! The more experience on and off track, the more you and your team gain. Setbacks will always happen in racing and working with mechanical systems, so over the years we have taken the approach that there is always something new to be learned. The best way to look at it is that you can prevent the issue from happening again in the future and move forward with a positive attitude.

Q: What are some of your most memorable success stories or achievements?

DB: Any time the team and I have been able to resolve an issue and make it back out onto the track. Having a reliable and knowledge team is key in racing.

Q: What are some key insights or trends you’ve noticed in the industry?

DB: It is constantly and quickly evolving through technology. You can never get bored with learning!

Q: What is the most outrageous thing you’ve done and what were the results?

DB: Moving my business from one side of the country to the other was one of the hardest and best things for my career and peace of mind.

Q: How has that helped your career? Why did you choose Crystal River, Fla.?

DB: My wife and I chose Crystal River because of the shop building we found in the area. We have always loved Florida; I think I always belonged here. One of my favorite things to do in our area is take out my Airboat. Living in Florida has expanded my experience in the drift community that much more. Also, the area in Florida that we live is not as fast-paced as where our previous shop was in California. That helps keep me in the right mindset for competition.

Q: If you didn’t have to follow rules, what would you do differently?

DB: A LOT. Think waayyy outside the box! [Laughs]

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

DB: I don’t necessarily have a quote from anyone specific, but I have learned over the years that the key to achieving your goals is consistently showing up and putting in the work, even on the days you don’t want to. You can’t ever give up. When you look back, you will be amazed that you accomplished goals that just started as ideas.

Q: What is the best advice you could give to someone new to competition?

DB: Be as prepared as possible, financially and mentally. You need to want it wholeheartedly – with everything you have in you. Always remember, you are your toughest competition.