Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge Saturday Results

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Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge Saturday Results;
Forrest Wang Takes the Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – April 8, 2017 – Formula DRIFT returned for night two of the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge as part of the 43rd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Forrest Wang in the Get Nuts Lab / Zestino Tires Nissan 240 is victorious.

For the second consecutive night the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge brought drifting under the lights during the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. On Saturday night of the doubleheader weekend, fans were treated to a fast paced and action packed evening.

“Drifting at night and under lights truly is a testament of the drivers skill,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The drivers really put on a show tonight to close out our fifth consecutive year drifting at night during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.”

Night Two of the doubleheader weekend did not disappoint as the drivers put it all on the line for a chance at the prize pool. The Top 4 pitted last night’s runner-up, Alex Heilbrunn in the IMR / Nitto Tire BMW M3 against Dean Kearney, in the Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper. Heilbrunn’s consistency helped put him back into the finals for the second consecutive evening. Jhonnattan Castro in the Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86 faced off against Forrest Wang in the semi-finals. Wang drove hard all weekend and the plume of smoke from his vehicle on his lead run made him a tough opponent. Castro had difficulty in the chase position, which helped give Wang the win to put him in the Finals. Wang took advantage of car issues that Heilbrunn was experiencing to beat him and take the win, while giving Heilbrunn yet another second place finish during the weekend.

“We came. We conquered!” said Forrest Wang, winner of the Motegi Super Drift Challenge. “I’m bummed that we didn’t compete last weekend, but at least I got to drive here in Long Beach this weekend to show people my style.”

The action continues to Round 2: Unchartered Territory at Orlando Speed World on April 28-29. 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.

Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge – Saturday Night Results

1. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Zestino Nissan 240 Winner
2. Heilbrunn, Alex IMR / Nitto Tire BMW M3 2nd Place
3. Kearney, Dean Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper 3rd Place
4. Castro, Jhonnattan Gerdau Metaldom/ Nexen / Toyota GT86 4th Place
5. Pawlak, Justin Roush Performance Ford Mustang 5th Place
6. Burkett, Dan RAD Industries, Nexen Tire, Toyota Supra 6th Place
7. Essa, Michael Achilles tire, Essa Autosport M3 7th Place
8. Jones, Jeff DOC Nissan 240 8th Place
9. Beechum, Trenton Beechum Racing Ford Mustang 9th Place
10. Mohan, Kyle Built 2 Apex / Mazdatrix / KMR 2016 MX-5 10th Place
11. Rintanen, Juha STR Racing / Nexen Tire Nissan 240 11th Place
12. Field, Matt Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240 12th Place
13. Hamilton, Nate Team Enjuku, BC Racing, Hankook Tire S13.4 13th Place
14. Litteral, Ryan NRG Innovation / Federal Tire Nissan 240 14th Place

Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge Friday Night Results

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Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge Friday Results;
Matt Field Takes His Second Consecutive Motegi Racing Super Drift Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – April 7, 2017 – Formula DRIFT returned to Long Beach to host the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge as part of the 43rd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Matt Field in the Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240 goes back to back at the Motegi Super Drift Challenge.

The Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge for the fifth consecutive year brought motorsports action under the lights during the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach within Turns 9, 10, and 11 of the famous street course. Drivers competed on Friday night in front of a capacity crowd for a chance at the prize purse and bragging rights.

“For the first time we decided to hold a doubleheader Top 16 competition over the course of the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “For our 11th consecutive year bringing drifting action on the Streets of Long Beach we wanted to showcase even more competitive action for the fans on both Friday and Saturday night.”

On night one of the doubleheader weekend drivers were placed at random into the Top 16 bracket. The Top 4 saw returning Motegi Racing Super Drift winner, Matt Field against Justin Pawlak in the Roush Performance Ford Mustang. Field outdrove his opponent to move into the Finals. Forrest Wang in the Get Nuts Lab Nissan 240 faced off against Alex Heilbrunn in the IMR / Nitto Tire BMW M3. Heilbrunn fresh off his second place finish last weekend at the Formula DRIFT season opener on the same track, kept his streak alive taking the win to move into the Finals. Forest Wang finishes in third place. The final battle was dramatic as Heilbrunn and Field collided on the first turn of the first run. Judges deemed fault to Heilbrunn giving Field the advantage. Field, after fixing the significant damage sustained from the run 1 collision kept a clean and safe follow run to take the first victory of the doubleheader.

“We went back to back!” said Matt Field, winner of the Motegi Super Drift Challenge. “There’s day two tomorrow and we’re going to try to win that too. This event was strong and it feels good to get back into a car that’s in working manner after struggling last weekend, but we’re back.”

The action continues on Saturday night for the second night of the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. 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.

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Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge – Friday Night Results

1. Field, Matt Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240 Winner
2. Heilbrunn, Alex IMR / Nitto Tire BMW M3 2nd Place
3. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab Nissan 240 3rd Place
4. Pawlak, Justin Roush Performance Ford Mustang 4th Place
5. Hamilton, Nate Team Enjuku, BC Racing, Hankook Tire S13.4
5th Place
6. Rintanen, Juha STR Racing / Nexen Tire Nissan 240 6th Place
7. Kearney, Dean Oracle Lighting Dodgle Viper 7th Place
8. Beechum, Trenton Beechum Racing Ford Mustang 8th Place
9. Castro, Jhonnattan Gerdau Metaldom/ Nexen / Toyota GT86
9th Place
10. Essa, Michael Achilles tire, Essa Autosport M3
10th Place
11. Litteral, Ryan NRG Innovation / Federal Tire Nissan 240 11th Place
12. Burkett, Dan RAD Industries, Nexen Tire, Toyota Supra
12th Place
13. Jones, Jeff DOC Nissan 240 13th Place
14. Mohan, Kyle Built 2 Apex / Mazdatrix / KMR 2016 MX-5
14th Place

Forrest Wang Returns To Formula DRIFT

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Over the past few days, there has been quite a lot of discussion regarding Forrest Wang and his departure from the Series. Formula DRIFT has held off on making a public statement because we first wanted to talk to Forrest and ensure we understood his perspective and view on the situation before addressing it. It’s important to the Series that when we make public statements we do so with all the possible information available, and talking to Forrest was key before we made a public announcement. As of Tuesday, June 21st, we have had the opportunity to speak to Forrest. It was a very productive conversation. Media outlets, drifting reporters and fans have gone very far and deep in discussing the result of the Forrest Wang/Chris Forsberg head-to-head match, which has led many to believe that this incident was his core reason for leaving the Series. No matter what side you take on the topic, what’s important regarding this message is our conversation with Forrest. 

Continue reading Forrest Wang Returns To Formula DRIFT

Forrest Wang’s Get Nuts Lab! Nissan Silvia S15 Drift Car By MotoIQ

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If you are a fan of drifting, then you know all about Forrest Wang, who is renowned for his spectacular high angle and smoky driving style. His car builds have a lot of style as well and we have been trying to catch up with him for a year to be able to capture one of his masterpieces in a story.

The basis of Forrest’s competition is a Japanese Model Nissan Silvia S15.  The S15 was never imported into the USA due to some boneheads in Nissan USA’s product planning department not thinking that it was a viable car for our Market.  If you have ever driven an S15 you would know what a great car it was.  In fact all S chassis cars had great potential that was neutered out of them when they were imported into the USA by questionable choices like the installation of truck engines and such, but that’s a different rant for a different day.

The S15 is a great looking and handling car but it’s 2 liter SR20DET engine has no where near enough power for todays world of pro drifting even when modified to the limit. This was all resolved when Forrest’s Get Nuts Lab got there hands on the car to transform it into the potent machine shown here.

Continue reading Forrest Wang’s Get Nuts Lab! Nissan Silvia S15 Drift Car By MotoIQ