With the 2015 Formula Drift season complete, we saw throughout this year some amazing performance all across the board with all Yokohama Tire sponsored drivers in 3, yes, 3 different countries! With the FD season taking place in USA & the World Championships being held in Canada & Japan, the world witnessed some of the best drift battles, ADVAN AD08R tires in action and of course,Team Yokohama taking home some awards.
It was amazing to see Pat Cyr, Michael Essa, Matt Field & Masashi Yokoi in action! Ending the season in Irwindale, where the very first Formula Drift was held, it was a bit nostalgic, as it has been said that it would be the last drift event ever held at this venue. Here are some highlights from each driver from the entire season including a very exciting Final Fight at Irwindale:
PAT CYR
With a total three rounds for the Formula Drift Canada Championship, Team Yokohama Tire Canada’s Pat Cyr & his Scion FR-S on Yokohama ADVAN AD08R tires takes the title of “Drifter of the Year” in his most successful season yet.
The road to the podium has been a long one, but well worth it. To kick off the 2015 season, Cyr came out guns blazing, finishing strong in each round. In the 1stround taking the top spot on the podium, 2nd round with a small set back at 4th place, & 3rd round with an extremely close battle finishing 3rd place. With all 3 rounds in the books, Pat finished off the season with an impressive 235 points; taking the Formula Drift Canada Title!
”After 3 years of hard work, it feels great to receive the Formula Drift Canada driver of the year award at the wheel of my Scion FR-S. My team and I have worked very hard to build a winning platform and this season we proved that we had what it takes to do it. I look forward to strong results at the Formula World Round this September at l’Autodrome St-Eustache and can’t wait to defend my title next year” says Pat Cyr.
MICHAEL ESSA
The 2013 Former Formula Drift Champion saw a brand new look and feel to this season with an all new set up of that in a Chevy Camaro in matte grey with accents of Yokohama ADVAN red. Although Essa did not see any podium finishes this season, it has been a great season of learning his new platform in preparation for 2016 drift season. The crowd favourite put on a show every round with many rounds with epic battles against some of Formula Drift’s biggest names. Ending the season at Irwindale Final Fight, Essa definitely put on a show with a strong qualifying run, Top 32 run as well as Top 16! Ending this season strong, Michael Essa looks to 2016 with Yokohama ADVAN AD08R tires.
MATT FIELD
Matt Field is one of the most spoken Formula Drift drivers out there, which is reflected in both his style of driving and his iconic florescent Nissan S14.5 Silvia. Throughout the entire FD season, Field has proved he is one to watch for many years to come. His aggressive style and angle has the attention of many other drivers. With advances in many rounds as well as very high standings in qualifying runs, Field has come as close (a very close) 4th place finish – just shy of the podium. 2016 looks to be a very good year for the up & comer.
MASASHI YOKOI
Masashi Yokoi, straight from Japan, has caught the attention of the World of Drifting with his “Very Japanese Style Drifting” with ample angle and aggression in every battle. This is the first year for Yokoi in Formula Drift, there was quite a bit of adaption to this type of competition. Along with some mechanical issues, it’s had been a bumpy start of 2015 FD, but as Yokoi became accustomed to the new competition, he looked unstoppable. With his Nissan S15, which is arguably the nicest livery in the series, Masashi Yokoi was able to clinch a 1st place victory at Formula Drift Texas and was even awarded “Formula Drift Rookie of the Year”. He will be making his return in 2016, it should be a very entertaining season with Yokoi to say the least.
With the Formula Drift 2015 season complete, it has been a great season with Yokohama Tire ADVAN AD08R’s and we can’t wait to see them in action again. From “The House of Drift” for the very last time, Yokohama Tire Canada looks forward to 2016!
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Coverage: Drive Marketing Group Inc.
Photography: Drive Marketing Group – Takuya Akiyama | Josh Chow
Events: Formula Drift, Formula Drift World Championships, Formula Drift Canada
