Ken Fukuda - Professional Racecar Driver / Coach
RACING
#16 Skip Barber Racing School,
Aston Martin Vantage GT4,
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
2024-25 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship Winner
Podium, Multiple Top-5’s
Skip Barber Racing School x Honda Performance Development Civic Type-R, SRO TC America 2022
Highest Finishing Japanese Driver Overall
Highest Finishing American in Class
VLN 1 2018 Nurburgring, Germany
VLN 7 2018 laptimes (GP + Nordschleife):
Best lap time (Ken) - 10:06.199
Best lap time (Nissan Factory) - 10:15.581
*identical car, conditions
100% top-5
66% podium-rate
50% pole position-rate
33% win-rate
1 track record
Hoosier Super Tour, California
Wins in open-wheel, sportscars, karts
Jim Russell Racing School
Scholarship Shootout Invitee (2005)
PRIVATE COACHING
IMSA, NASCAR, F3/F4, SRO, Karting, Car Control, HPDE
Clients racing in: IndyCar, NASCAR Cup Series (won), 24 Hours of Le Mans (won), 24 Hours of Daytona (won), 12 Hours of Sebring (won), IMSA (won), SRO (won), F1 Academy (formerly W-Series)
EXPERIENCE
Director of Schools,
Race Series Director,
Skip Barber Racing School
Official Pace Car Driver,
SRO GT America
Lead Instructor,
Sears Point Racing Experience (Simraceway Performance Driving Center)
Instructor, RSR Nürburg/SPA, (Germany, Belgium)
Instructor, Monticello Motor Club
Mechanic Trainee, Bridgestone Racing Academy
Jim Russell Racing School,
Lucas Oil Racing School,
Nürburgring Driving Academy
LICENSES
FIA Bronze Driver Rating
IMSA/SRO/USAC/SCCA Pro Licenses
FIA International C License
DMSB Nürburgring Permit A
MSF Level 2
Film/Stunt Work & Precision Driving:
Heroes (TV 2008), McLaren, Audi, BMW, KTM, Lexus, Honda, Cadillac
Willing to travel domestic or foreign
Contact me today to get started on your journey to the top.
Email: ken@griffeydreams.com
Phone: +1 925.586.7364
See below to hear what my students had to say!
Testimonials
Ken provides some of the best driver training I've ever seen. In a sea full of instructors, Ken is a teacher. Instead of working with me to simply improve my lap times, Ken took the time to evaluate where I was in my driving journey and work with me to create a program for ongoing progression. This is something no other instructor has done and it's a fundamentally better approach to building a not just a faster, but also a more complete, driver.
From breaking down the basics of proper vision (this is so much more than just looking further ahead) all the way through to being able to read a corner and self correct, Ken worked with me to not only shave seconds of my lap but to also understand how we were doing it so that I could repeat it every time at every track. Ken helped to give me the tools to understand how to continue improving and continue making progress as a driver. This is hands down the best time and money I have ever spent behind the wheel of a race car.
-Jack R., Spec Miata
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Ken has both the IQ and EQ to take your driving to the next level. He is able to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and deliver insightful and impactful advice that resonates personally.
-Lee V. V., BMW M3
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An amazing experience having Ken Fukuda teach me how to catch up to a GT350R at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Thank you Ken Fukuda for giving me the opportunity to drive with you and all your advice on how to become a better driver.
-JD Lee, Chevrolet Camaro
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Thank you for the insightful feedback last weekend. It helped me see how much more there is to learn and highlighted, to me, that my running at one track may not be the best choice for long term development.
I have reflected extensively on your feedback & my performance; I am confident you have helped me become a better and safer driver.
-Adrien T., Lotus Evora S
On coaching day, Ken's organization and focus to execute his plan was exceptional. His post session debriefings were very interactive which immediately starts building the foundation of self evaluation and sustainability. From there he gives honest feedback and explains the first few steps where you have the most opportunity for improvement.
With each following session he incrementally increases the challenge, builds your confidence, and pushes you in a responsible way to increase your speed. The day following Ken's coaching I was able to put all the skills he taught me to practice not only setting personal best lap times, but being able to repeat them consistently. I highly recommend Ken to anyone that wants to become a more proficient driver. Thanks Ken, looking forward to booking another track day with you!
-Chris C., Ford Mustang
Ken provided me with an amazing day of on track coaching. He gave me a constant breakdown of what I should be looking for as we approached each sequence, and provided frequent small tweaks and fixes to improve each lap.
He even shared the external landmarks he uses to approach each turn. I felt much more confident at speed (and behind the wheel in general) after my day with Ken.
-Eric M, Subaru BRZ
Ken Fukuda has been my spotter for the last couple of years in NASCAR. His professionalism and communication through the headset was super helpful for me.
I’d recommend a guy like him to any high level team or driver in our industry.
-Dave Smith, Pro Racecar Driver
Ken is a talented and intelligent instructor who provides constant and consistent feedback that has resulted in an exponential improvement in my driving skill.
He is imaginative in creating situations that promote a diverse range of experiences that have dramatically improved my racecraft in a short period of time.
-Damien G., Mclaren 720s
Ken is a wonderful instructor and really "drives" home key tips with great cues. I was able to quickly shave 5 seconds off my best time on my home track with just a couple of recommendations he provided.
The on-track instruction coupled with the off-track de-briefing was a nice touch and extremely helpful in understanding the bigger picture.
I highly recommend using his services.
-Richard A., Ford Mustang GT
The instructor (Ken Fukuda) I had was really excellent. Good in the car and spent a lot of time debriefing me. Very precise, easy going, well worth the fee!
-Lou S., Porsche 911 Carrera 4
Ken really helped my focus on the next steps in my driving progression. He started by listening which helped him to calibrate his feedback to my goals. As someone who felt overwhelmed by all of the challenges of driving a race car, Ken helped me zoom in on the high-value things that would help me go faster and have more fun.
-Sean S., Spec Racer Ford
Ken is an amazing coach. With one session we were able to shave four (!!!) seconds from my Laguna Seca lap time. Not only that, but he was able to positively instill good driving habits in me - which is way more valuable since I can take this knowledge to any track. When I mess up a corner, I still hear his voice telling me that I can “be better!”
I also appreciate that Ken was able to adapt to my learning style. I’m a visual and detail-oriented person and he picked that up fairly quickly. We reviewed every corner in detail and he gave me a few things to try out each session. I can’t wait for our next opportunity to work together!
-Leo D., Acura NSX
Ken, Thank you for your expert guidance at NJMP. It was very helpful. Having the video to review is a great tool. I really enjoyed the event. My first with Moe et als. I will be doing more next year with his group and will likely reach out to your group for additional coaching. Enjoy the "off season" if there is one!
-John B., Ford Mustang GT350
A decent racing background is necessary for a great pro-coach, but that along does not make one a great pro-coach. A great pro-coach also needs extraordinary skills to make abstract driving technics easy to understand for students. Ken has them both.
-Shaoyi C., Subaru BRZ
Ken you were great. The on track coaching was excellent and very informative. The class room was exceptional. I really liked your cool approach. Most of all you were a tremendous boost to my mental approach!!! Lastly I spoke to Andy this morning squared up and raved about you. That's my 2 short sentences!!! Best to you.
-Michael S., Ford Mustang GT
Ken is an amazing instructor. His teaching methods and feedback are thorough and personalized - he talks and LISTENS - which is so important to help you progress. You WILL become a better driver with his instruction.
-Bryan S., Rotax Kart
I've worked with a lot of coaches over the years. None has been as good as Ken in his ability to explain how to improve. He is able to look at in car video or watch trackside from turns and come back with a set of notes for you to work on that are achievable.
He can turn his observations into instructions for improvement that are easily understood. That ability to explain what to change and how and why in way that you can easily apply is priceless.
-Don G., 911 GT3RS
KenのCoachingでは、「重要なのに忘れがち」、あるいは「頭では分かっているけれど実践にうまく生かせていない」ような基本的な運転技術の指摘とその修正指導に加え、彼だからこそ教えられる「プロのテクニック」も含まれており、短いセッション中でもかなりの情報を得られたように思います。
運転中のInstructionは、簡潔、且つ明確でとても分かり易くCoaching中も非常に集中して運転することができました。
トラックに通い始めて既に5~6年になります。これまでは自己流、でもそれなりに速く走れていたため「I am fast enough to enjoy weekend track driving」と自己満足していたような気がします.
今回、彼にCoachingを依頼し、まだまだ速くなれる可能性とその方法、方向性を的確に示して頂いたことで、次の段階にStep upできたように思います。非常に勉強になりました。
彼のCoachingは全く「Businessy」ではなく、「この人をもっと速くしてあげたい」、「僕が絶対に速くしてあげる」という情熱と自信が伝わってきます。
トラックでは速く走れれは走れるほど楽しさも増します。もし機会があるようならまたCoachingをお願いしたいと思っています。
-Naomi T., Audi TTRS
Contact Information
Email: ken@griffeydreams.com
Phone: +1 925.586.7364
Instagram: griffeydreams