Driver Profile: Chris Licup

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Formula D Pro Am driver Chris Licup was recently interviewed by OMGDrift about his plans for the 2011 Formula D season, obtaining his FD license, and the help of fellow FD drivers Mike Essa and Frederick Aasbo. Great interview for this up and coming drifter.

We sit down with Formula D up and comer Chris Licup! It was great to meet with Chris and talk to him about the upcoming season and see how he’s feeling about it all!

Drew Fishbein: What are your plans for the upcoming 2011 season?

Chris Licup: My plans for the 2011 Season is to run in the Formula Drift Series, try to compete in all of the events, if not, as many as possible. And build the car up to a competitive level. As well as do some amateur events, such as XDC Just Drift Top Drift just to keep me sharp.

DF: Well, fair enough. Any Sponsors on board yet?

CL: So far I have JimmyUp Clothing and Jeff Jordan Innovations!

DF: What’s in the cards for Licup racing 2011?

CL: I will be driving a 1995 Nissan 240SX aka an S14 with a SR20DET Motor, the motor is built, it should make around 400 horsepower and should be pretty reliable. I don’t want to go too agressive on horsepower, want to try to keep the car as reliable as possible, and still keep it competitive at the same time.

Read the rest of the interview with the Slide Assassin Chris Licup on OMGDrift.com

The Passing of a Great Friend

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The Gardella Racing Team truck driver and great friend to all, Bruce Soltys, passed away this Saturday from a cardiac arrest. He was with the team in Monticello, NY doing some volunteer testing. Bruce was loading the Chevy pickup truck, preparing to leave the track after testing had been completed and fell. He was rushed to the Catskill Regional Medical Center Hospital in Callicoon, NY where he lost his life.

Bruce was a member of GR program for close to 5 years, who was considered more than a truck driver; he was part of the family. Bruce started working with the team in 2007 when Gardella was competing in NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing. His first event of that season was West Palm Beach FL at Moroso Speedway. He brought his soon to be wife, Kim, along because he was nervous about how he would get along with everyone. Within the first hour of being at the track, Bruce found a home and friendship within the team.

Bruce will be missed by everyone he met. He always seemed to make friends no matter where he went. “I have so many great stories to share about this man,” remembered Gary Gardella. “I will surely miss my old buddy,” he continued “his shoes will be difficult to fill.”

If you knew Bruce please show his family any support you can by sending flowers or a donation to his family. The GR team will be attending the wake from 7-9pm. There will be a passenger van leaving the race shop around 5:30. If anyone would like to ride along with the team, please contact Gary ASAP as seats are going fast.

Thursday December 2nd
Buyus Funeral Home
426 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07105
Visitation will be from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM