For nearly three decades, AEM Electronics and Papadakis Racing have worked together to push the boundaries of automotive performance. From record-setting import drag racing machines to championship-winning Formula Drift cars, the relationship has been built on engineering innovation, reliability, and a shared commitment to winning. In this video, AEM's Sam Chaysavang sits down with legendary racer and team owner Stephan Papadakis to discuss the history of Papadakis Racing, the evolution of its partnership with AEM, and how lessons learned on the racetrack have helped shape performance products used by enthusiasts today.

Papadakis Racing got its start in Southern California's booming sport compact drag racing scene during the 1990s. With AEM among its earliest sponsors, the team developed a lightweight, tube-chassis Honda Civic hatch that broke into the nine-second quarter-mile range, followed by an even quicker front-wheel-drive Civic coupe. The collaboration eventually produced a 1,600-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, Acura NSX-powered drag car that ran a remarkable 6.52-second quarter-mile at 215 mph. AEM's engineers worked directly with the racing team to develop engine management technology capable of supporting extreme horsepower, high boost pressures, and sophisticated fuel and ignition control strategies.

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In 2005, Papadakis shifted his attention from drag racing to the emerging sport of professional drifting. With AEM continuing its support, the team entered Formula Drift with a two-car program featuring Papadakis in a Honda S2000 and Tanner Foust in a Nissan 350Z. The partnership quickly delivered results, including back-to-back Formula Drift championships with Foust in 2007 and 2008. Over the years, Papadakis Racing has continued developing increasingly sophisticated competition vehicles, including its Toyota GR Supra drift cars. One notable project involved using AEM's Infinity ECU to help develop a BMW B58 engine capable of producing 1,000 horsepower, proving the potential of Toyota's modern turbocharged inline-six for professional drifting.

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Throughout the interview, Papadakis emphasizes that reliability is just as important as outright horsepower. That philosophy has made AEM components an essential part of the team's race cars for decades. From wideband air/fuel ratio sensors and fuel pumps to pressure sensors, CAN-based exhaust gas temperature monitoring, and CD-7 digital displays, AEM products provide the dependable data and control needed for competition. The close working relationship between Papadakis Racing and AEM's engineering team has also allowed real-world racing challenges to influence product development, with feedback from the track helping refine features and improve performance for racers and enthusiasts alike.

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The conversation offers a fascinating look at the people, engineering, and shared passion behind one of motorsports' longest-running technical partnerships. Papadakis reflects on the challenges of developing groundbreaking race cars, the importance of surrounding himself with talented engineers, and the lessons learned from decades of competition. Watch the full video to hear Stephan Papadakis share stories from the early days of import drag racing, explain how AEM technology helped power his team's success, and discuss why reliability and innovation remain central to Papadakis Racing today.