Formula DRIFT Round 7: AutoZone Showdown Results;

James Deane Increases His Chances for a Championship with the Win

Long Beach, Calif. – September 9, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Texas Motor Speedway for Round 7: AutoZone Showdown. James Deane in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan S15 had a perfect weekend as the number one qualifier and with his second consecutive event victory.

Irish driver James Deane has tied a Formula DRIFT record with his fourth event victory in a single season to increase his lead in the Pro Championship standings with only one event remaining. The capacity crowd was entertained throughout the event weekend, while the Livestream drew over 1 million views over the course of the event.

“This was quite the weekend here in Texas,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “With so much on the line, it made for an intense competition that I hope the fans enjoyed.”

In the Top 4, number one qualifier and current points leader, James Deane in the Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240 faced off against former champion and second in points, Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM. Deane was able to edge past his opponent to move into the Finals. On the other side of the Top 4 bracket, former champion Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy / Hankook Nissan 370Z faced Aurimas Bakchis in the Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels Nissan 240. A mistake by Bakchis on his chase run gave Forsberg the win. In the Finals, Deane’s consistent driving proved to be too much as Forsberg fell back and took a shallow line on his chase run, which ultimately lead to his win and a considerable lead heading into the Finals.

“I’ve drifted plenty of tracks in my time, but I’ve never drifted coming out of the first corner with a straight so long where you’re sitting behind the lead car just filled with smoke,” said James Deane, winner of Round 7: Showdown. “It worked out for me this time. I’m just super happy for everyone that supports me and everyone back home.”

The action continues to Round 8: Title Fight on October 13-14 at Irwindale Speedway. For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Round 7: Showdown Results

1. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

Winner

2. Forsberg, Chris

NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z

2nd Place

3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

3rd Place

4. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

4th Place

5. Denofa, Chelsea

BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

5th Place

6. Yoshihara, Dai

Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ

6th Place

7. Gushi, Ken

GReddy Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota 86

7th Place

8. Gittin, Vaughn

Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

8th Place

9. Coffman, Matt

Nexen Tire / Coffman Racing Nissan 240

9th Place

10. Tuerck, Ryan

Gumout / Nameless Performance / Hankook Toyota 86

10th Place

11. Wiecek, Piotr

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

11th Place

12. Essa, Michael

Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW E46

12th Place

13. Bluss, Kristaps

HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E46

13th Place

14. Pawlak, Justin

Roush Performance Ford Mustang

14th Place

15. Hohnadell, Alec

Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240

15th Place

16. Castro, Jhonnattan

Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86

16th Place

2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Standings After 7 Events

1. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240

582.00 Points

2. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

486.00 Points

3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

367.00 Points

2017 Manufacturer Championship Standings After 7 Events

1. Toyota

837.00 Points

2. Ford

632.00 Points

3. BMW

331.00 Points

4. Dodge

275.00 Points

4. Nissan

275.00 Points

6. Infiniti

156.00 Points

2017 Tire Championship Standings After 7 Events

1. Falken

1065.00 Points

2. Nexen

892.00 Points

3. Achilles

807.00 Points

4. Nitto

664.00 Points

5. Hankook

645.00 Points