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Ford Mustang Teams Gear Up for Final Fight of 2014 Formula DRIFT Season at Irwindale Speedway

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Ford Mustang Teams Gear Up for Final Fight of 2014 Formula DRIFT Season at Irwindale Speedway

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• Ford Mustang driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. battling for podium finish in Formula DRIFT series

• Along with former champion Gittin Jr., past winner and Mustang driver Justin Pawlak also competing

• Ford will announce “Drift with Ford” sweepstakes winner of custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST after final 2014 Formula DRIFT event

Long Beach, Calif. – September 23, 2014 – With only one race left in the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Ford Motor Company heads to Irwindale Speedway in California looking to finish strong in the season finale there. Vaughn Gittin Jr., in third place, and Justin Pawlak, in seventh, will compete in customized Ford Mustangs Oct. 10-11, in the final fight of the seven-event series.

“I’m really pumped to be heading into the final fight of 2014 at Irwindale Speedway,” said Gittin Jr. “While we are no longer battling for the championship, we plan to hold our ground and take third overall in the series.”

“This is something I’m really excited about, given the challenges we had to overcome this season,” he added. “The progression of drifting never ceases to amaze me, and this year has been insane with regard to the level of competition. Our Ford Mustang RTR has been fully up to the task and continues to be a performance bar-setting machine, round after round. We are looking forward to fighting hard and ending the season on the top step.”

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine.

“This has been a thrilling season for Ford in Formula DRIFT,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communications manager. “Vaughn and Justin consistently had Ford in the hunt for the manufacturer’s cup and driver’s championship. We’re confident they will continue to show that Ford and Mustang are serious competitors, not only in the world of Formula DRIFT, but in all form of motorsports.”

Amidst the excitement of North America’s foremost professional drifting championship, Ford continues to give fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST. The sweepstakes winner will receive personal drift lessons from Gittin Jr., a trip to Ford’s ST Octane Academy, and a visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters. The last day to enter the contest online is Oct. 13 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. Anyone can enter at www.formuladrift.com while watching the hot action over the final weekend.

“Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among Formula DRIFT fans,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. “We collaborated with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added lowering springs, an exhaust from Ford Racing Performance Parts, Rotiform 18-inch VCE wheels, Nitto NT555 ultra-high-performance tires and a K&N intake system to make this a true, one-of-one car. We had this hot new Fiesta ST at the season opener in Long Beach and will have it at the upcoming finale in California.”

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme – attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 7: Final Fight at Irwindale Speedway on October 10-11. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaDrift.

Formula DRIFT Round 6: Showdown Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 6: Showdown Results;
Fredric Aasbo is Victorious at Texas Motor Speedway

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Long Beach, Calif. – September 14, 2014 – Formula DRIFT for the second consecutive year returned to Texas Motor Speedway for Round 6: Showdown. Fredric Aasbo in the Hankook Tire / Scion Racing tC takes his second victory of the season.

Round 6: Showdown held at Texas Motor Speedway brought professional drifting to Texas for the second consecutive year. The event featured the Round 2 of the PRO 2 series, Offset Kings car show, and action from the Pro Championship. The weather held up on the main event day providing clear skies and cool temperatures.

“The dramatic finish to this event has set-up a close battle between Fredric Aasbo and Chris Forsberg for the championship as we head into Round 7 at Irwindale Speedway,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The finale has always been an action packed event with drivers leaving it all on the line and we are excited to see how the championship chase unfolds.”

The final four pitted number one qualifier, Forrest Wang in the Get Nuts Lab / Hankook / STR Racing Nissan S14 against Odi Bakchis in the Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX. After a One More Time battle, Wang out drove Bakchis to secure his second career podium to finish in third place. Point leader, Chris Forsberg in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z faced Hankook Tire teammate, Fredric Aasbo. Forsberg contacted Aasbo on his chase run to give Aasbo the advantage and ultimately the win moving him into the Finals. The Finals pitted Aasbo and Bakchis. In the second run, Bakchis spun out giving Aasbo the event victory. Aasbo closed the point gap heading into the final event of the season with 26 points separating him from Forsberg as they head into the final event of the 2014 season.

“This victory is for my team, for Scion, and for Hankook. This might feel like the weirdest victory ever as people took themselves out, but I’ll take it and will see everyone in Irwindale,” said Fredric Aasbo, winner of Round 6: Showdown. “My Hankook Tire teammate, Chris Forsberg and I have been battling it out all year and we are right where we want to be. We are right behind him and he has all the pressure on him. Irwindale is going to be a killer event.”

The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 7: Final Fight at Irwindale Speedway on October 10-11. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaDrift.

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship Presented by GoPro 2014 Standings After Six Rounds

1. Forsberg, Chris Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 493.00 Points
2. Aasbo, Fredric Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC 467.00 Points
3. Gittin Jr., Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR 359.50 Points
4. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 328.00 Points
5. Moen, Kenneth Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX 293.00 Points
6. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Nissan S14 280.50 Points
7. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 259.50 Points
8. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire / STR Racing Nissan S14 257.50 Points
9. Kearney, Dean Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper SRT 252.00 Points
10. Tuerck, Ryan Retaks Maxxis Tires Air Force PSI Scion FR-S 213.00 Points
11. Grunewald, Conrad Megan Racing / Top 1 Oil / BRE Chevrolet Camaro 211.50 Points
12. Nishida, Robbie Achilles Radial / Bridges Racing Lexus SC300 208.50 Points
13. Gushi, Ken GReddy Performance / Scion Racing Drift FR-S 192.50 Points
14. McQuarrie, Tyler GoPro / Mobil 1 Chevrolet Camaro 188.50 Points
15. Essa, Michael Essa Autosport / Yokohama BMW M3 183.50 Points
16. DeNofa, Chelsea BC Racing / Nitto Tire BMW 3-Series 172.50 Points

Round 6: Showdown Event Results

1. Aasbo, Fredric Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC Winner
2. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 2nd Place
3. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire / STR Racing Nissan S14 3rd Place

Manufacturers Championship Standings After Six Rounds

1. Scion 725.00 Points
2. Nissan 636.00 Points
3. Ford 619.00 Points
4. Chevy 400.00 Points
5. BMW 356.00 Points

Tire Championship Standings After Six Rounds

1. Hankook 962.50 Points
2. Nitto 748.50 Points
3. Achilles 647.00 Points
4. Falken 592.50 Points
5. Maxxis 347.00 Points

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 3 at Texas Motor Speedway Results

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Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 3 at Texas Motor Speedway Results;
Brandon Wicknick Takes the Victory 

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Long Beach, Calif. – September 12, 2014 – Formula DRIFT PRO 2 continued the season at Texas Motor Speedway with the third of four rounds of competition. Brandon Wicknick in the Driftmotion D-Spare Nissan 2JZ S13 takes the victory.

PRO 2 continued today at Texas Motor Speedway. PRO 2 was introduced as an intermediary series between the Formula DRIFT Pro-Am and Pro Championship to help drivers get acclimated to the competition level and venues, while gaining valuable experience. As the first year of the PRO 2, drivers that are eligible include both licensed Pro-Am and Pro Championship drivers. Drivers were also given the option to compete in both PRO 2 and the Pro Championship.

The finals pitted Nate Hamilton in the One44 Motorsports / Enkei Nissan 240SX against Wicknick. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s vehicle had mechanical issues and was not able to make it to the line giving the victory to Wicknick. James Evans in the Sikky Manufacturing Nissan 350Z rounded out the podium in third place.

“I’m really happy about winning. It’s been a long time coming,” said Brandon Wicknick, winner of Round 3 of PRO 2. “Obviously there were circumstances that lead up to the finals that weren’t ideal as I would of liked to fight harder for the win, but I can’t complain. I’m super happy and I’m proud of our team.”

With one event remaining in the inaugural PRO 2 season, less than 60 points separate the top five drivers in the chase for the PRO 2 championship. Currently, Geoff Stoneback is in the lead as the series heads into Irwindale Speedway for the finale.

“PRO 2 has added a new level of excitement to the event weekend,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The PRO 2 championship chase is and still up for grabs and Irwindale Speedway will be a true test for the drivers for the final event of the season.”

The 2014 Formula DRIFT PRO 2 season continues with Round 4 on October 9-10 at Irwindale Speedway. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaDrift.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Standings After Three Rounds

1. Stoneback, Geoff GSR Nissan S14 – 228.50 Points

2. Savage, Dan Sikky Manufacturing Mazda RX-8 – 196.50 Points

3. Lowe, Jeremy Enjuku Racing Mazda RX-7 – 192.00 Points

4. Evans, James Sikky Manufacturing Nissan 350Z – 173.50 Points

5. Hamilton, Nate ONE44 Motorsports / Enkei Wheels Nissan 240SX – 169.00 Points

6. Coffman, Matt Coffman Racing / PSI Nissan S13 – 145.50 Points

7. Jones, Jeff CX Racing Nissan S14 – 138.50 Points

8. Parsons, Will NonStop Tuning AutoComp Racing Toyota AE86 – 122.50 Points

9. Rydquist, Carl Road Race Engineering / Berk Nissan 350Z – 109.00 Points

10. Wicknick, Brandon Driftmotion D-Spare Nissan 2JZ S13 – 103.00 Points

11. Hateley, Andy Hately Motorsports BMW E30 325i – 87.50 Points

12. Wolfson, Tyler GT Radial SAE Motorsport Mazda RX-7 – 86.00 Points

13. Cisneros, Tony 116 Motorsports Nissan 240SX – 86.00 Points

14. Hill, Eric Achilles Radial Fueled Racing 240SX – 74.50 Points

15. Rintanen, Juha Juha Rintanen Motorsport Nissan S14 – 73.00 Points

16. Mertzanis, Dannis ARK Performance Hyundai Genesis Legato AR1 FR-S – 71.50 Points

 

PRO 2 Round 3 Event Results

1. Wicknick, Brandon Driftmotion D-Spare Nissan 2JZ S13 – Winner

2. Hamilton, Nate ONE44 Motorsports / Enkei Wheels Nissan 240SX – 2nd Place

3. Evans, James Sikky Manufacturing Nissan 350Z – 3rd Place

Ready to Drift: Scion Racing Prepares For Season’s Final Formula DRIFT Showdowns

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Ready to Drift: Scion Racing Prepares For Season’s Final Formula DRIFT Showdowns

Last High-Powered Events in Fort Worth, Texas, and Irwindale, California, to Bring Out Thousands of Fans

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Long Beach, Calif. – September 9, 2014 – With the Formula DRIFT podium in reach for Scion Racing, drivers Fredric Aasbo and Ken Gushi are revving up their engines for the final two rounds. Round 6 will take place Sept. 12-13 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, and Round 7 on Oct. 10-11 at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California.

In the highly competitive Formula DRIFT field, 2014 Hankook tC driver Aasbo emerged as a fierce competitor this year, currently holding second place. In addition, 2014 GReddy FR-S driver Gushi ranks in 14th place, after both drivers fought to overcome challenges on the track throughout the season.

“With a little luck, a very competitive tC vehicle and a lot of hard work from the team, it’s been a really successful ride this season,” Aasbo said. “For the final event at Irwindale Speedway, we will increase the power and really push the limits to end the season strong. Hopefully with a win!”

The Irwindale Speedway holds the title “House of Drift” for its role popularizing the racing style. The event is expected to draw more than 15,000 fans from around the region. Both in Texas and California, drivers will face demanding tracks and hot temperatures that require vehicle adjustments.

“There’s nothing quite like the challenge and adrenaline of these final two races, and I’m looking forward to giving fans a show,” Gushi said. “Every race this season has put our team to the test, and I can’t wait to take the FR-S out to finish it right.” Fans attending the final Formula DRIFT rounds can anticipate Scion Racing on-site. The limited edition FR-S Release Series 1.0 vehicle will be at Irwindale Speedway to showcase its unique racing-inspired features, including a custom-designed aero kit with a rear spoiler.

“These final two Formula DRIFT rounds will challenge Frederic Aasbo and Ken Gushi while capping off an extremely successful Scion Racing season,” said Landy Joe, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “Anyone who wants to witness the capabilities of the Scion tC and FR-S in a new light should be in the crowd at Texas Motor Speedway or Irwindale Speedway.”

For more details about Scion Racing, visit www.ScionRacing.com for blog entries, photos and video content.

Formula DRIFT Speeds into Texas with Ford Mustang Teams in Contention for 2014 Championship

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Formula DRIFT Speeds into Texas with Ford Mustang Teams in Contention for 2014 Championship

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•Ford competing for its first Formula DRIFT manufacturer’s cup

Former DRIFT champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. and past winner Justin Pawlak competing in Ford Mustangs for the driver’s championship

Ford continues sweepstakes for custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST in final two 2014 Formula DRIFT events

Long Beach, Calif. – September 4, 2014 – With just two races left in the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Ford Motor Company heads to Texas Motor Speedway looking to regain the lead in the Formula DRIFT manufacturer’s cup standings. Vaughn Gittin Jr. in third place and Justin Pawlak, sixth will compete in customized Ford Mustangs in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 12-13, in round six of the seven-event series.

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine.

“This has been an exciting season for Ford in Formula DRIFT,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communications manager. “Vaughn and Justin have performed consistently well to put Ford in the hunt for the 2014 manufacturer’s cup and driver’s championship .We’re confident Vaughn and Justin will continue to show the Formula DRIFT world that Ford and Mustang are winners in all form of motorsports.”

Amidst the excitement of North America’s foremost professional drifting championship, Ford is giving fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost®- powered Fiesta ST. The sweepstakes winner will receive personal drift lessons from DRIFT champion, Gittin Jr., a trip to Ford’s ST Octane Academy, and a visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters. Anyone can enter the contest online while watching the hot action each weekend at www.formulad.com.

“The Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among Formula DRIFT fans,” Said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. “We collaborated with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added Lowering springs, an exhaust from Ford Racing Performance Parts, Rotiform 18-inch VCE wheels, Nitto NT555 ultra high performance tires, and a K&N intake system to make this a true, one-of-one car. We displayed this hot new Fiesta ST at the season opener in Long Beach and will have it at the series finale in California in October.”

“With only two events remaining in the 2014 season, Ford trails Scion by just 34 points in the fight to win its first manufacturer’s cup,” said Ryan Sage, Formula DRIFT vice president and cofounder. “Formula DRIFT fans can get in on the action by entering to win a custom Ford Fiesta ST during the final two events this season.”

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly-skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 6: Showdown at Texas Motor Speedway on September 12-13. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaDrift

For more information contact: 

John Pangilinan
213.802.0863
[email protected]

ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT

In its eleventh season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver’s driving ability and vehicle control. Formula DRIFT provides a forum for professional drifters to compete nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the world-wide leader for the Sport. For a competition schedule and ticket information, visit: www.formuladrift.com.

ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.