Kohei Fukuda

Kohei Fukuda is a Japanese racing driver who has been working towards his dream of becoming a professional racer since the age of 10. Despite facing initial setbacks in Germany and Japan, Fukuda persevered, transitioning to roles as a mechanic and racing instructor. He is currently a lead instructor for the Skip Barber Racing School.

In 2023, Fukuda's dedication was recognized when he was named the recipient of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship for the 2024-25 seasons. This scholarship supports drivers from underrepresented backgrounds, providing Fukuda with a significant opportunity to compete in IMSA series like the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He secured a podium finish in the TC Americas series at Indianapolis, demonstrating his on-track potential.

Fukuda's journey reflects his unwavering commitment to racing. He graduated from UCLA, joined the Peace Corps, and even became a teacher and principal in Liberia, but his passion for racing never faded. He believes that with hard work, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes, anyone can achieve their racing dreams, regardless of their background or circumstances. In 2017, Kohei gained his first VLN experiences and competed in his first 24-hour race on the Porsche Cayman in 2018. His DriverDB score as of April 13, 2024, was 1,524.45, with 1 win and 4 podiums out of 15 races started.