Ken Nomura's ER34 Skyline: D1 Drift Icon
Ken Nomura's orange-and-black ER34 Skyline was the most recognizable D1 Grand Prix drift car in the mid-2000s. The build that made Nomuken a D1 legend.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Ken "Nomuken" Nomura drove the most recognizable D1 Grand Prix drift car of the mid-2000s: a factory-backed Blitz-sponsored ER34 Skyline Sedan in orange and black livery. The car became the face of D1GP during the championship's breakout years and cemented Nomuken's reputation as one of Japan's top drift drivers.
The Driver
Nomuken started drifting in the late 1990s on mountain passes before D1GP existed. When the championship launched in 2001, he was an early competitor and podium finisher. By the mid-2000s, he was one of the top three drivers in the series alongside Youichi Imamura and Kazuhiro Tanaka.
The Chassis
Base: Nissan Skyline ER34 Sedan (4-door R34 chassis, not GT-R)
Choosing the 4-door ER34 was unusual — most D1 competitors ran S-chassis Silvias or 180SXs because they were lighter and cheaper. Nomuken's ER34 was heavier (~1,400 kg) but had advantages in wheelbase stability and chassis rigidity at high angle.
The Build
The Blitz Nomura ER34 evolved year-over-year:
Engine:
- RB25DET (later swapped to RB26DETT spec)
- Single large turbo (replaced the stock sequential twin setup)
- Greddy/Trust fuel system
- Output: 550-650 hp during the car's peak competition years
Suspension:
- Blitz ZZ-R coilovers (full custom drift-tuned dampers)
- Massive steering angle kit for high-angle drifts
- Hydraulic handbrake for transitions
- Custom arms and adjustable suspension points
Aero:
- Blitz body kit (front bumper, side skirts, rear spoiler)
- Carbon hood with vents
- Orange and black livery that became instantly recognizable
- Wide rear fenders for 295-section rear tires
The D1 GP Performances
Nomuken's D1 results in the ER34:
- Multiple podium finishes (2003-2006 peak years)
- Champion driver nominations in every season
- Highlight reel runs at Ebisu, Bihoku, and Fuji Speedway
- Iconic Tanso-Tsuiso twin battles against Imamura's S15
Nomuken's driving style was angle-focused: he held extreme drift angles longer than most competitors and transitioned mid-corner with precision. The style suited the longer ER34 wheelbase.
The Cultural Impact
Outside D1GP itself, the Blitz Nomura ER34 appeared in:
- Option Magazine covers throughout the 2000s
- Video game appearances (Tokyo Xtreme Racer, Need for Speed, Gran Turismo)
- International drift event exhibitions in the US, Australia, and Europe
- D1 Grand Prix promotional material
The orange-and-black ER34 became shorthand for "professional D1 drift" in the global drift community. Every amateur drift driver in 2005 wanted a similar paint scheme.
Nomuken Today
Ken Nomura continues to compete in drift events and is still a sponsored driver in Japan. He has retired the original ER34 but continues to develop new drift cars for competition. The ER34 itself is preserved as a historic demo car.
Why the Nomuken ER34 Matters
The Blitz Nomura ER34 proved that D1GP drift was a serious professional sport. Before this car, drift was still seen as a grassroots mountain pass hobby. With Nomuken at the wheel of a clearly factory-backed, clearly professional build, drift became a championship-level discipline with manufacturer sponsorships, big tire contracts, and televised coverage. Every professional drift driver today competes in a sport Nomuken helped elevate.
Featured Products
Diecast Model Car Compatible with Tarmac Works x Prix 1:64 Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) Mazdaspeed A Spec
View Deal
Jada Fast & Furious 1:32 1995 Toyota Supra Die-Cast Car, Toys for Kids and Adults(Black)
NRG Innovations NRG-FRP-301 Fiber Glass Fixed Back Bucket Racing Seat (Large), 4pt Harness
Related Articles
The 10 Best JDM Drift Cars of All Time (And Why They're Impossible to Replace)
These ten Japanese machines didn't just define drifting — they invented the culture, the techniques, and the community that keeps the sport alive today.
Top Fuel S2000: Tsukuba Time Attack Legend
Top Fuel Racing's naturally aspirated Honda S2000 was the fastest NA time attack car in Japan for years. The F20C engineering and aero story behind the Tsukuba laps.
Cyber Evo: Tarzan Yamada's Time Attack Benchmark
Tarzan Yamada's Cyber Evo Lancer Evolution IX was the benchmark for Japanese time attack in the late 2000s. Multiple Tsukuba records, radical aero, and sub-54-second laps.