Our History | Falken Tires
Our History
1983
THE FALKEN BRAND IS BORN
Falken created as high performance brand of Ohtsu Tire Co.
The First Falken Tire
Falken FX-06C.
1985
Introducing Falken Motorsports & U.S. Distribution
Started Falken Motorsports and began U.S. Distribution in Glendale, CA.
1988
Team Falken Wins The Mirage Cup International Series
Hisa Yokoshima with Team Falken won The Mirage Cup International Series Championship. Falken teal and blue livery are first used in professional competition during The All Japan Dirt Trials, All Stars.
Falken Introduces The Sincera Tire
A progressive touring tire that fits the needs of a variety of vehicles, Sincera Tires offer lasting confidence and comfort.
1990
The N1 6h Endurance Race
N1 6h Endurance Sugu 400km, GT-R32 Class Winner.
1991
The Super N1 Taikyu Series
Falken supported BNR32 dominated Super N1 Taikyu Series in Japan.
The Rallye de Portugal
Mitsuro Hoshino and co-driver Takuya Sugimura, driving their #30 Toyota Corolla AE92, entered The Rallye de Portugal, a mixture of asphalt and gravel.
Team Falken Participates in the Kenya Endurance Rally Race
Falken participated in the Kenya Endurance Rally Race with Nissan Motorsports Europe.
Falken Opens U.S. Headquarters
Falken Tire Corporation opened U.S. Headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
1993
The Paris To Dakar Rally
Paris to Dakar Rally Champions in 3 Classes.
1996
Ziex ZE502
The First Ziex branded Falken Tire is launched.
1998
A Successful Campaign
Began campaigning Mine’s Falken BNR33 which won the ’98 -’00 Class 1 Series Championships.
1999
The ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring
Team Falken began competing in the ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring (24 Hours of Nürburgring).
2001
Introducing AZENIS
AZENIS ST115 and the RT215 are launched.
Series Champion Super Endurance Class 1
The #1 BNR34 Won Class 1 Championship.
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Title Sponsor
Sponsored Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
2003
Drifting Introduced To The U.S.
Inaugural U.S. Drift Events. The Drift Showoff, and the 2003 D1 Grand Prix hosted the first pro competition on the inner bank of Irwindale Speedway, located in Southern California, now known as the “House of Drift.” With an audience as diverse as the cars and the sport itself, Irwindale quickly became the first true “Mecca” of U.S. domestic drifting.
2005
Team Falken driver Calvin Wan takes 1st place in his Infiniti G35
At Sonoma (Infineon Raceway) Falken team driver Calvin Wan took 1st place in his Infiniti G35, the first import car to win a Formula Drift sanctioned event.
2006
A Consumer Reports Top Pick
Consumer Reports rates the ZE912 #1 Top Pick.
2009
Falken Motorsports Begins American Le Mans Series Racing Program
Falken enters Porsche RSR in the GT2 Class of ALMS.
2010
Falken’s First Formula Drift Championship
Vaughn Gittin Jr. wins Falken’s first Formula Drift Championship.
2011
Back-To-Back Formula Drift Championships
Daijiro Yoshihara wins second straight Formula Drift Championship for Team Falken.
Two American Le Mans Series GT Class Wins
2 GT Class Wins at Mid-Ohio & Baltimore.
2012
Team Falken Tire Wins The ALMS Baltimore Grand Prix
Falken Tire makes it two years in a row with ALMS win at Baltimore Grand Prix.
Falken Opens New North American HQ
New FTC headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
Falken / Savvy Off Road Take The Win At The King Of The Hammers Every Man Challenge
Falken’s partnership with Savvy Off Road received its first off-road win at the 2012 King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge, which many call the toughest stock class off-road race in North America.
2013
Back-To-Back King Of The Hammers Every Man Challenge Champions
Falken / Savvy Off Road scores second straight win at the King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge
Team Falken Wins ALMS Petit Le Mans GT Class
Team Falken completed the ALMS season-ending Petit Le Mans on a high note, taking first place in the GT class. Falken’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, prepared by Team Manager Derrick Walker, was driven by Porsche Works and Falken team driver Wolf Henzler and his partner, team driver Bryan Sellers, and were again joined by Co-driver Nick Tandy of Bedford, UK, who previously ran with the duo at Sebring.
2014
Back-To-Back Petit Le Mans Championship
Team Falken Motorsports wins second straight ALMS Championship.
Falken Launches the ZIEX ZE950 A/S Tire
Falken launched the High-Performance All-Season tire, providing better tread life than its predecessor: ZE-912.
First Original Equipment Fitment
Falken earns first OE fitment on 2015 Jeep Compass and Patriot BUX (Built-Up Export) models.
2015
Falken Becomes the Official Tire of Major League Baseball
The new partnership marked Falken’s first deal with a professional sports league after enjoying significant success in motorsports for 30 years.
Falken Introduces All-Star Lineup
Falken introduces its brand new All-Star lineup, unveiling four tires in what is the brand’s most significant launch ever.
TIRES INCLUDE:
WILDPEAK A/T3W,
WILDPEAK M/T,
AZENIS FK450 A/S,
and SINCERA SN250 A/S.
Smittybilt Every Man Challenge Dominance
Falken displays dominance with fourth consecutive first place finish in the demanding Smittybilt Every Man Challenge, partnering with Savvy Off Road / Currie Enterprises.
Falken Gains North American Tire Manufacturing Plant & Proving Grounds After Business Dissolution
Falken’s parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, brings Falken Tires and Dunlop Motorcycle Tires together as sister brands; Falken gains access to Buffalo tire manufacturing plant and Proving Grounds in Huntsville, Alabama.
2016
First North American-Made Falken Tire
Sumitomo Rubber USA begins production of first North American-made Falken tire At Buffalo, NY plant.
Falken Introduces AZENIS FK510 And RT615K+
The AZENIS FK510 and the AZENIS RT615K+ are both debuted at 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
2017
Falken Launches All-New ZIEX CT60 A/S
Falken introduces the ZIEX CT60 All-Season, built specifically for modern crossovers.
Team Falken Captures Formula Drift Championship
Team Falken earns the Formula Drift Tire Manufacturer’s Cup for the second year in a row, punctuated by Team Falken’s James Deane claiming the Pro Driver’s Championship.
Yoshihide Muroya Wins Red Bull Air Race World Championship
Team Falken’s Yoshihide Muroya secures the title of Series Champion of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, propelled by four wins throughout the season.
2018
Falken Earns Several Original Equipment Fitments With RAM, Subaru And Others
Falken continues its growth in Original Equipment by gaining fitments on RAM 1500, Subaru Ascent, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Volkswagen Jetta, Mazda 6, Subaru Forester, Nissan Altima, and Nissan Rogue.
Falken Tires Takes First Place At King Of The Hammers
Falken Tires, in partnership with Savvy Off-Road and team driver Dan Fresh, earns first overall in the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge.
Welcome to Falken Academy
Falken launches its in-depth tire dealer training program in Southern California.
Back-To-Back FD Driver’s Championship For James Deane
Team Falken dominates Formula Drift in 2018. James Deane wins second straight Driver’s Championship, Team Falken sweeps FD New Jersey podium and wins third consecutive Tire Manufacturer’s Cup.
2019
Falken Expands Road Hazard Protection To Cover Nearly Every Product
The Falken Road Hazard Protection Warranty was designed to reinforce Falken Tires’ commitment to its customers by offering a free tire replacement through an authorized Falken dealer. Full details can be seen here: https://www.falkentire.com/tires/care-safety-warranty
Wildpeak Tires Selected For Original Equipment Fitment On Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Falken earns OE fitment for 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon with WILDPEAK A/T3W and M/T tires. Additionally, Falken gained OE fitments on Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road.
Falken Launches Three New Tires Focused On Modern Vehicles
Falken expresses the importance of developing tires on specific vehicle platforms, and introduces the WILDPEAK H/T02, WILDPEAK A/T TRAIL, and ZIEX ZE960 A/S.
James Deane Earns First Three-Peat In Formula Drift History
James Deane wins Team Falken’s 5th Driver’s Championship in the last decade and leads the team to its 4th straight Tire Manufacturer’s Cup.
2020
Introducing Falken’s First Ever Studdable Winter Tire
The WINTERPEAK F-ICE 1 is Falken’s first studdable winter tire.
2021
Falken Continues Growth In Original Equipment
Toyota Sienna, Ford Bronco Sport, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota Mirai all outfitted with Falken tires from the factory.
2022
2022: Falken Begins $129 million upgrade to Buffalo plant
Falken’s parent company adding a 55,000 sq. ft. building and increasing North American tire manufacturing capability by 50%.
More Wildpeak Tires Selected As Original Equipment For Toyota And Mazda
Falken’s Wildpeak tires now OE on Mazda CX-50 Meridian and Toyota Tundra TRD models.
