Driver aims for third podium in a row at challenging track

BRASELTON, Georgia (May 8, 2018) — The most winning driver in Formula Drift has a score to settle with Road Atlanta. Eleven-time event winner Fredric Aasbo is hoping to claim his first victory on the challenging road course this weekend at Round 3 of the 2018 Formula Drift Championship season.

“Road Atlanta has always been my favourite track but it’s the only event we’ve never won,” said Aasbo, who scored a personal best second-place result there in 2014. “The last two years we gambled and lost, so we need to focus on fundamentals and be really precise.”

Aasbo is hoping to extend his early season momentum after starting the year with a win at the Long Beach opener and following that up with a third-place result in Orlando.

The driver said that despite an uneven history at Road Atlanta, the event remains one of his favorite stops on the calendar because of the incredible tailgate experience it offers fans. “I think it’s going to be a party,” he said. “I’m really excited to go to Atlanta and see our friends and fans.”

The Formula Drift layout at the track offers an elevation change that requires drivers to deliver a combination of finesse and aggression. “Road Atlanta is about having great grip, more than just big horsepower,” said team owner Stephan Papadakis. “Our Nexen tires are very competitive and we’re fine tuning the setup to make sure Fredric gets the most out of the car.”

The Road Atlanta course starts with a steep downhill that pushes drivers toward the third-turn keyhole feature. On exit, there’s a long acceleration zone before a final turn that sends vehicles smoking back up the hill. Managing tire wear while pushing to the limit will test every driver on the entry list. High temperatures are forecast for the event weekend.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control. In the Formula Drift series, drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is one of the fastest growing forms of motorsport in the world. Fans of Formula Drift can watch live stream coverage of the series online, or catch the broadcast coverage on the CBS Sports Network.