The Crazy Swede, The Swedish Sensation, The Inaugural Drift Champion. His name is Samuel Hubinette and since he grew up in the frozen tundra of Northern Sweden, it is no surprise that Samuel likes to drive sideways.

At the ripe age of 8, Samuel taught himself to drive sideways with his father’s diesel Mercedes on the frozen lake called Skabrammojve. At 10 Samuel began his lifelong need for speed by racing motorcycles. As soon as he turned 16, Samuel got his racing license and began racing Volvo 142s. Samuel also has experience driving semi trucks and was a Fire Fighter in the Swedish army. At age 21 Samuel got his dream job as a test driver for Volvo at their winter facility above the Arctic Circle in Sweden. Subsequently, Samuel got his first stunt driving job for Volvo TV and continued driving for Volvo commercials as well. At age 24, Samuel got a job as a test driver for Volvo at their Gothenburg proving ground and in 1996 Samuel began racing touring cars with a team at Volvo.

In 1998, Samuel came to Southern California where he became a driver for the Skip Barber Racing School. After 9/11 happened, the driving business declined and Samuel made a living as a wholesale car broker because he was determined not to give up and go back to Sweden.

In June 2003, Samuel entered the first D1 driver search in Irwindale California and finished first amongst 52 other Formula D drivers attempting to qualify. In 2004 Samuel raced in the first D1 Grand Prix drifting event at Irwindale speedway and finished 10th overall but 1st amongst the U.S. drivers. With Mopar in attendance, they quickly signed him up. In the first season of the Formula D Series, Samuel had 3 out of 4 victories and became the Inaugural Formula D Champion.