After being tested at Avis Circuit in Sendai, Japan by Syunnichi Tomikuda, a professional D1 racer, the 595RS was launched. The tires were fitted onto a Nissan Silvia S-14. Test results were phenomenal, and the 595RS' overall performance is close to/equivalent to that of Bridgestone's RE01R. Drift Tengoku, Japan's leading drifting magazine, reported extensively on the testing, the tire, and the results.
The SS595 - A Favorite For Drifting
Drift Tengoku, a leading Japanese drifting magazine for enthusiasts, featured an article in its February 2005 edition on a highly publicized drifting event held in Japan. In this competition, 71 heavily modified cars and coupes participated, of which 8 racers, by their own choice, used Federal's SS595 on their vehicles. One of the cars using SS595s came in 2nd place in the competition - an amazing result considering all the very expensive larger brand names most other racers used that Federal was up against. This article and discovery prompted Federal to redefine the tire for the purposes of drifting, which is growing tremendously in popularity in Asia, Australia, and the United States. Over the last couple of years, drifting has evolved from what was once considered an underground backyard sport for tuners to what it is today - national events with large cash prizes, sponsorships and high public attendance.
"Competition oriented ultra high performance tires. The ideal choice for tuners – soft and hard. Engineered to withstand excess heat from wheel spin and allow maximum transfer of braking/acceleration to pavement. The SS595 provides responsive performance at high speeds and exceptional level of adhesion and control when needed."