Author: FormulaD

Aurimas Odi Bakchis Awarded Formula DRIFT Pro License at VegasProAm in Las Vegas, Nevada

News

Posted on

25 August 2010, for immediate release: Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, 27, was awarded a Formula Drift professional driver’s license at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after being named champion of the 2010 Vegas Pro Am series on Saturday, 21 August 2010. The final Vegas Pro Am round took place on the same course utilized by the Formula Drift Pro Championship only minutes after the Pro Am finished. Bakchis was awarded the license on the Formula Drift podium after only one season of drifting competitively in amateur events.

A southern California local and seasoned rally driver, Bakchis placed first in two of the four 2010 Vegas Pro Am events and placed third on the 21 August 2010 event. Bakchis began drifting at Adam’s Motorsports Park in Riverside, California in February 2009 after purchasing a 1989 Nissan 240 SX and began competitively drifting after approximately eight months of practice. Bakchis also drove his “underpowered” Nissan to a second place finish at Round 2 of the Top Drift series at Willow Springs International Raceway and to an exciting win at the 2010 XDC Round 2 event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sponsors including 702 Graphics, Clutch Masters, Dstroyr, Godspeed Project, R Rated Motorsports, and Turboimport.com have represented Bakchis throughout the 2010 drift season. A promising driver, Bakchis intends to aggressively compete in the 2011 Formula Drift Pro Championship series.

Formula DRIFT Announces Mobil 1 as Official Motor Oil of Series

News

Posted on

Formula DRIFT Announces Mobil 1 as Official Motor Oil of Series

Long Beach, Calif. – August 26, 2010 – Formula DRIFT has added Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, as the official motor oil of the series. This new partnership will continue through the remainder of the 2010 season.

“Having a strong global brand like Mobil 1, with partnerships in all major forms of motorsports, that chose to add drifting, specifically Formula DRIFT is a great testament to their vision as well as to the strength of our emerging sport,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We are excited to add Mobil 1 to our family of partners as they become the “Official Motor Oil,” of Formula DRIFT. We are looking forward to expanding our partnership and additional ways to work closer together.”

In addition to serving as the “Official Motor Oil” of Formula DRIFT, Mobil 1 will be on-site at all race venues, providing fans an interactive opportunity to see Mobil 1 products in action. This partnership will showcase the full performance enhancements through the Gardella Racing team in the Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice driven by Ryan Tuerck, as well as the complete Falken Tire drift team. Mobil 1 will also receive on-site branding at events, on advertisements and promotional items, and on the Formula DRIFT website www.formuladrift.com.

“Partnering with Formula DRIFT gives us an incredible opportunity to exhibit the full line of Mobil 1 products to this demanding sport,” said Leah Ritter, marketing advisor, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company. “Drifting’s intense nature allows us to showcase the performance and protection characteristics of Mobil 1 Technology and how it can help racers and enthusiasts both on and off the track. The Formula DRIFT Championship provides racing excitement like none other, and we’re excited to officially be a part of this rapidly growing motorsport.”

As the premier professional drifting championship in North America, Formula DRIFT embodies the spirit of performance and competition. The Formula DRIFT pro championship continues with Round 6: Point of Impact on September 10-11, 2010 at Infineon Raceway. For more information visit, www.formuladrift.com.

Formula DRIFT Round 5: After Dark Results

News

Posted on

Formula DRIFT Round 5: After Dark Results;
Tyler McQuarrie Takes the Victory and Team Falken Tire Sweep the Podium

Long Beach, Calif. – August 22, 2010 – Formula DRIFT returned to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Round 5: After Dark. Tyler McQuarrie piloting the Falken Tire Nissan 350Z found the top of the podium alongside his Falken Tire teammates for their 2nd ever sweep.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the event to a sell out crowd under the stars and lights in the Nevada desert. Round 5: After Dark featured the Vegas Pro Am finals, Fatlace One of One Showcase car show, Monster truck demonstration, Drag Races, and was highlighted with the Formula DRIFT championship competition. The competition heats up with only two events remaining in the 2010 Championship season.

“This event in Las Vegas is challenging for everyone involved with Formula DRIFT including the staff, teams, and sponsors, but at the end of the day the event exceeded all expectations with a sell-out crowd, amazing competition, and a tightening chase for the Championship heading into Sonoma,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “The level of competition is at an all-time high and teams are setting the bar for the sport of drifting worldwide.”

The action filled weekend came down to a battle of the V8’s. Making the Top 4 for his first time, Tony Brakohiapa in the Cooper Tire / BSP Tuskegee Airmen Mustang went against point leader, Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Monster Energy / Falken Tire Ford Mustang for third place. Gittin gained the victory and maintains the championship points lead. The final battle pitted Falken teammates Daijiro Yoshihara in the Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 against Tyler McQuarrie in the Falken Tire Nissan 350Z. Mechanical problems forced Yoshihara to forfeit from the competition giving McQuarrie his first ever victory and moves him up the rankings into 9th place overall.

“The Falken Tire Nissan 350Z was unreal in every practice and through qualifying. It was one of those events where I could just feel it,” said Tyler McQuarrie, winner of Round 5: After Dark. “To get my first career victory here in Las Vegas feels incredible and for the Falken Tire team to get the second ever sweep in history is a milestone for the team.”

McQuarrie will carry the momentum of the victory to the next stop of the Formula DRIFT championship at his hometown track for Round 6: Point of Impact on September 10-11. This is the last event before the Finals in October and the drivers will be sure to put it all on the line for a chance at the title. Tickets are available on-line.

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2010 Point Standings – Top 16
1. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Falken Tire Ford Mustang 439 Points
2. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 417 Points
3. Foust, Tanner Rockstar Energy Scion TC 386 Points
4. Tuerck, Ryan Mobil 1 / Maxxis Tire / Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice 361 Points
5. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Saturn Sky 342 Points
6. Hubinette, Samuel SHR-Dodge / BF Goodrich Dodge Challenger 304 Points
7. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / CFR Nissan 350Z 296 Points
8. Millen, Rhys RMR / Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe 291.75 Points
9. McQuarrie, Tyler Falken Tire Nissan 350Z 275.50 Points
10. Pawlak, Justin Ford Racing / Falken Tire Ford Mustang 267.50 Points
11. Takatori, Michihiro BF Goodrich / Exedy Nissan S13 239.50 Points
12. Ng, Charles Charles Ng Racing Mazda RX-7 228.50 Points
13. Grunewald, Conrad Hankook Tire Chevy Camaro 213 Points
14. Gushi, Ken Scion Racing / RS*R Scion TC 203.50 Points
15. Maeng, Joon Full Tilt Poker / Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 190.25 Points
16. Petty, Ross Falken Tire / Garage Boso Nissan S15 186 Points

Round 5: After Dark Event Results
1. McQuarrie, Tyler Falken Tire Nissan 350Z 1st Place
2. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 2nd Place
3. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Falken Tire Ford Mustang 3rd Place

Tires.com Triple Crown – Event 2 of 3
1. Foust, Tanner Rockstar Energy Scion TC 169 Points
2. Tuerck, Ryan Mobil 1 / Maxxis Tire / Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice 167 Points
3. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 162 Points

Round 5: After Dark Qualifying Results

News

Posted on

Driver: Car #: Speed 1: Speed 2: Score:
1 S. Hubinette #77 77 80 35.7 93.5
2 K. Mohan #99 99 77.1 35.6 91.2
3 C. Grunewald #79 79 84.4 34.4 89.4
4 C. Forsberg #64 64 78.6 34.1 88.9
5 V. Gittin #25 25 78.8 33.8 88.2
6 T. McQuarrie #17 17 81.1 36.4 87.1
7 M. Takatori #5 5 80.1 32.4 86.3
8 D. Yoshihara #9 9 77 33.1 86.2
9 M. Whiddet #111 111 81.1 33.7 86
10 J. Pawlak #13 13 79.6 30.7 83.8
11 D. McNamara #8 8 79.2 35.1 82.6
12 R. Tuerck #44 44 75 35.5 81.1
13 C. Ng #84 84 73.1 34.1 80.9
14 J. Maeng #51 51 79.6 35 79.8
15 R. Miki #26 26 80.3 40.9 79
16 T. Foust #34 34 81.9 28.9 77.4
17 E. O’Sullivan #35 35 80.4 34.3 75.9
18 A. Pfeiffer #88 88 74 33 75.6
19 J. Jones #29 29 73.3 36.4 74.5
20 F. Aasbo #151 151 74.8 32.2 73.2
21 R. Petty #808 808 70.6 32 72.7
22 M. Field #777 777 76.5 31.8 72.2
23 M. Powers #665 665 78.6 34.4 71.6
24 J. Deane #16 16 77.9 37.1 71.3
25 T. Aono #86 86 78.1 30.8 69.7
26 T. Brakohiapa #18 18 71.5 31.9 68.6
27 M. Essa #101 101 78.8 27 68.3
28 B. Wilkerson #55 55 78.3 33.1 67.3
29 R. Millen #6 6 68.4 36.2 67.1
30 P. Mordaunt #90 90 69.9 36.2 65
31 N. Konstantinov #403 403 72.8 33 63.7
32 J. Abbott #518 518 74.9 30.1 59.6