Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust recently announced there’s a new tire partner onboard his V-Dub and that he and the Passat will be  returning to Formula Drift for three rounds in 2016. Nexen Tire will support Foust and supply tires for the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Volkswagen Passat for the abbreviated Formula Drift season.

“The cars on the Formula Drift circuit are some of the wildest motorsport builds on the planet right now and maximizing grip is a critical part of having the right package,” said Foust, who will compete in the Atlanta, Seattle, and Texas rounds this year. “I’m excited to be working with Nexen in 2016 with a very competitive tire.”

The driver made his first appearance under the new partnership at the Leadfoot Festival, a special invitational celebration of cars and speed hosted annually in New Zealand by celebrated rally champion Rod Millen. Foust is shown smoking his new Nexen tires on a very picturesque track in the hills of New Zealand.

Foust returns to Formula Drift in the rear-wheel drive converted Volkswagen Passat that he debuted last year. The Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Volkswagen Passat is a powerful performer, producing more than 900 nitrous-boosted horsepower from its V-8 engine. A specially designed eight-into-one sequential collector produces a distinctive supercar exhaust note that has made the car popular with fans.

Foust returned to his Formula Drift roots last season for the first time in five years following a shift from drifting to rallycross that saw him score a pair of U.S. titles and numerous wins and podiums worldwide. The only driver ever to win back-to-back Formula Drift championships (2007, 2008) his return for three events in 2015 saw him score a trio of qualifying scores in the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Passat and win two battles. He said he is happy to be back.

“It’s a great feeling to know I’ll have a chance to reconnect with drifting again this year,” said Foust. “I’m having a lot of fun out there and I’m enjoying the process of experimenting with setup and developing this new car.”

The Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Volkswagen Passat features a four-speed dog-engagement transmission, a Tilton clutch, AEM Infinity-10 engine management, RS-R suspension, and an extroverted APR Performance swan-mount wing. Top drift vehicles like Foust’s routinely produce close to 1,000 horsepower and are designed with so much steering angle that the front wheels are capable of turning nearly perpendicular to the car.

In addition to the select Formula Drift rounds, Foust is preparing for a packed racing schedule this season. Full details on Foust’s 2016 competition calendar will be unveiled in the weeks ahead. We’re wondering what the deciding factors are when it comes to where Foust is racing. While we look forward to seeing him in Formula Drift, what will three events do? It would be nice to see him compete in enough events to via for the championship. Maybe run three early events and if he is at the top of the standings expand the FD program. Perhaps this will all be clearer when his full 2016 schedule drops.