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Formula DRIFT Round 7: Final Fight Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 7: Final Fight Results;
Daigo Saito Wins Finale and Chris Forsberg is Crowned Champion

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Long Beach, Calif. – October 11, 2014 – Formula DRIFT returned to Irwindale Speedway for the 2014 Pro Championship season finale. Daigo Saito in the Achilles Radial Lexus SC430 takes the event victory. Chris Forsberg in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z wins his second career championship.

Round 7: Final Fight held at Irwindale Speedway did not disappoint the sold out crowd with an action packed weekend that featured the Pro Championship, PRO 2 Championship, Offset Kings car show and more. The Driftstream had over 200,000 unique viewers to the live stream for the event weekend.

“What a way to end the 2014 Pro Championship season,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “We could not have asked for a more climatic ending with the championship determined at the very last battle of the season. The competitive rivalry that Aasbo and Forsberg had all season could not have been any more exciting.”

Entering the event, Forsberg lead the Pro Championship chase by a mere 26 points. As the competition progressed through the night both Aasbo and Forsberg would meet in the Top 4 to control their championship destiny. Aasbo in one of the tightest battles of the evening got the better of Forsberg for the fourth time this season in head to head battles, yet he needed to win the entire event to win the championship.

“A wild season for us. We wanted the championship so bad after last year,” said Chris Forsberg, 2014 Formula DRIFT champion. “Taking the win in Long Beach and holding the lead throughout the season to the Finals only to basically lose to Aasbo every time we went up against him. He was our kryptonite all season long. We were able to hold him off just enough to take the championship home and we are super pumped and very proud of our team for giving us the best car we ever had.”

The number one qualifier, Forrest Wang in the Get Nuts Lab / Hankook / STR Racing Nissan S14 went against Daigo Saito in the Top 4. In a close battle, Saito edged out Wang to make it into the Finals against Aasbo. In another closely fought battle, Saito beat out Aasbo, to win his third consecutive victory at Irwindale Speedway, having won the event in 2012 and 2013, and helping to award Forsberg with his second Pro Championship. Forsberg is only the third driver in Formula DRIFT history to hold two championships with his 2009 championship and now 2014 championship.

“This year we have had a very hard time with our results and ranking,” said Daigo Saito, winner of Round 7: Final Fight. “We are excited to earn a win to end the season here at Irwindale Speedway. This is also the third win for us in a row here and I am very happy.”

In addition to the 2014 Championship, both the Tire and Manufacturer Championships were determined at Round 7: Final Fight. Hankook Tire won the Tire Manufacturer Championship, while Scion won the Manufacturer Championship.

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 Final Standings

1. Forsberg, Chris Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 561.50 Points
2. Aasbo, Fredric Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC 550.00 Points
3. Gittin Jr., Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR 393.00 Points
4. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 364.50 Points
5. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire / STR Racing Nissan S14 331.50 Points
6. Moen, Kenneth Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX 310.50 Points
7. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Nissan S14 298.00 Points
8. Kearney, Dean Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper SRT 287.00 Points
9. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 277.00 Points
10. Grunewald, Conrad Megan Racing / Top 1 Oil / BRE Chevrolet Camaro 262.50 Points
11. Nishida, Robbie Achilles Radial / Bridges Racing Lexus SC300 261.00 Points
12. Tuerck, Ryan Retaks Maxxis Tires Air Force PSI Scion FR-S 235.00 Points
13. Gushi, Ken GReddy Performance / Scion Racing Drift FR-S 227.50 Points
14. Saito, Daigo Achilles Radial Lexus SC430 224.00 Points
15. Field, Matt CX Racing Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 221.50 Points
16. Essa, Michael Essa Autosport / Yokohama BMW M3 218.50 Points
Round 7: Final Fight Event Results
1. Saito, Daigo Achilles Radial Lexus SC430 Winner
2. Aasbo, Fredric Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC 2nd Place
3. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire / STR Racing Nissan S14 3rd Place

Manufacturers Championship Final Standings

1. Scion 843.00 Points
2. Nissan 721.00 Points
3. Ford 670.00 Points
4. Lexus 485.00 Points
5. Chevy 471.50 Points

Tire Championship Final Standings

1. Hankook 1119.50 Points
2. Nitto 836.00 Points
3. Achilles 801.00 Points
4. Falken 681.50 Points
5. Maxxis 386.50 Points

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 4 at Irwindale Speedway Results

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Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 4 at Irwindale Speedway Results;
Jeff Jones Takes Competition Victory and Dan Savage is Crowned PRO 2 Champion

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Long Beach, Calif. – October 10, 2014 – Formula DRIFT PRO 2 finished the season at Irwindale Speedway with final round of 2014. Jeff Jones in the CX Racing Nissan S14 takes the event victory, while Dan Savage in the Sikky Manufacturing Mazda RX-8 is crowned PRO 2 champion.

PRO 2 finished its inaugural season at Irwindale 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 Jeff Jones against Dan Savage. Savage on his chase run crashed giving Jones his first ever competition victory. Brandon Wicknick in the Driftmotion D-Spare Nissan 2JZ S13 rounded out the podium in third place.

“This is not only my first time qualifying for the Pro Championship and for PRO 2 we were on fire,” said Jeff Jones, winner of Round 4 of PRO 2. “This is just killer to have the car dialed in. I just wish we could reset this season, but I can not wait for next year.”

In a tightly fought championship chase, Dan Savage edged out the point leader, Geoff Stoneback with his second place podium finish to win the PRO 2 championship by a mere 5.50 points.

“Its surreal knowing that it was that close coming into it,” says Dan Savage, 2014 PRO 2 Champion. “Being here at Irwindale ten years ago and seeing what drifting was for the first time that it is numbing knowing that I made it here at this track.”

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 2014 Final Standings

1. Savage, Dan Sikky Manufacturing Mazda RX-8 286.50 Points
2. Stoneback, Geoff GSR Nissan S14 281.00 Points
3. Lowe, Jeremy Enjuku Racing Mazda RX-7 259.00 Points
4. Jones, Jeff CX Racing Nissan S14 246.00 Points
5. Evans, James Sikky Manufacturing Nissan 350Z 226.00 Points
6. Hamilton, Nate ONE44 Motorsports / Enkei Wheels Nissan 240SX 220.00 Points
7. Coffman, Matt Coffman Racing / PSI Nissan S13 182.00 Points
8. Wicknick, Brandon Driftmotion D-Spare Nissan 2JZ S13 173.00 Points
9. Parsons, Will NonStop Tuning AutoComp Racing Toyota AE86 157.50 Points
10. Cisneros, Tony 116 Motorsports Nissan 240SX 121.00 Points
11. Rydquist, Carl Road Race Engineering / Berk Nissan 350Z 109.00 Points
12. Rintanen, Juha Juha Rintanen Motorsport Nissan S14 109.50 Points
13. Hill, Eric Achilles Radial Fueled Racing 240SX 109.50 Points
14. Mertzanis, Dennis Vision Buddyclub BRE Scion FR-S 106.50 Points
15. Hateley, Andy Hately Motorsports BMW E30 325i 87.50 Points
16. Wolfson, Tyler GT Radial SAE Motorsport Mazda RX-7 86.00 Points

PRO 2 Round 4 Event Results

1. Jones, Jeff CX Racing Nissan S14 Winner
2. Savage, Dan Sikky Manufacturing Mazda RX-8 2nd Place
3. Wicknick, Brandon Driftmotion D-Spare Nissan 2JZ S13 3rd Place

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