Tag: Ken Gushi

Ultimate Drifting Pre-race Spectacular at Texas Motor Speedway

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Formula DRIFT Brings ‘No Limits’ Style of Driving to Texas Motor Speedway for Firestone Twin 275s Pre-Race Show

Long Beach, Calif. – May 10, 2011 – Formula DRIFT has announced a non-championship point competition at the Texas Motor Speedway, “Ultimate Drifting,” presented by Scion and Motegi Racing. The drifting competition will proceed the high-speed action of the historic Firestone Twin 275s on Saturday, June 11, that also includes the IZOD IndyCar Series race.

Texas Motor Speedway’s pit lane and frontstretch will transform into a winding course for eight Formula DRIFT drivers as they race in a non-points competition spectacle free to Firestone Twin 275s ticket holders. The drivers include: Fredric Aasbo, the 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Michael Essa, Kyle Mohan, Joon Maeng, Tony Brakohiapa, Patrick Mordaunt, Jeff Abbott, and a final driver to be named for a competition in the traditional bracket elimination format. The competition will begin at 6 p.m. CT.

“No pre-race show defines ‘No Limits’ better than our Ultimate Drifting presented by Scion and Motegi Racing,” Texas Motor Speedway Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Events Kenton Nelson said. “These are some of the most skilled drivers pushing their car to the limit to provide some intense racing, which sets the perfect stage for the excitement that will unfold during INDYCAR’s first twin races at Texas Motor Speedway.”

Ultimate Drifting sponsors Scion and Motegi Racing have continued to play a major role in Formula DRIFT and one of Texas’ largest single-day sporting events provided the ideal avenue to continue the growth of the sport.

“The opportunity to sponsor the Ultimate Drifting pre-race show was a natural fit for Scion,” Scion Marketing Manager for Gulf States Toyota Frank Bianchi said. “We are entering our third year as the title sponsor of Scion Drag-n-Brag at Texas Motor Speedway and have been a long-time sponsor in Formula DRIFT. Our current stable of drivers in Formula DRIFT includes Ken Gushi and reigning Rookie of the Year, Fredric Aasbo. This event gives us the unique opportunity to cross-promote those programs to a new fan base at one event.”

“Motegi Racing Wheels is excited to be part of another historic night at Texas Motor Speedway,” Motegi Racing Wheels President Jody Groce said. “The Firestone Twin 275s and Formula DRIFT on the same night is another example of the fresh and unique events that Eddie Gossage and his team continue to give the fans. The opportunity to leverage relationships with Fredric Aasbo of Formula DRIFT and Paul Tracy in IndyCar in front of 100,000 fans is huge for the Motegi Racing Wheels brand and our customers.”

Coupled with Ultimate Drifting presented by Scion and Motegi Racing, TRAFFIK, one of the largest touring car shows in the world, will provide a wide array of unique rides during its car show that will be held from 1-6 p.m. outside Gates 1 through 3.

Tickets, which begin as low as $31, for the historic Firestone Twin 275s and Ultimate Drifting, presented by Scion and Motegi Racing are available by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com, or by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500.

Click here to get 2 tickets for $49 or call Texas Motor Speedway’s Ticket Office at (817) 215-8500 to see the historic Firestone Twin 275s and Ultimate Drifting presented by Scion and Motegi Racing.

Scion Introduces FR-S Sports Coupe Concept at 2011 New York Auto Show

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Rear-wheel drive concept makes world debut | Design focus of Pure Balance | Boxer engine utilizes Toyota’s D4-S direct and port injection system

04.20.2011– New York – Scion unveiled the rear-wheel drive FR-S Concept sports coupe today at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The concept, which sets out to stimulate the souls of true driving enthusiasts, will be at the Scion display through May 1. The FR-S Concept will inspire a new model coming to the Scion brand next year.

“Scion is always experimenting with new things,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “The brand is iconic with the xB, adrenalized by the tC, and groundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will expand the brand into yet another new dimension that I know it is truly destined for.”

The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. The sports coupe is most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts.

Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is built around the core goal of achieving “pure balance,” which begins with the strategic placement of a flat 2.0-liter boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and shape allows the FR-S’ powertrain to be mounted lower and further back towards the rear, giving the car a lower center of gravity and a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUjmIIBUBVQ&feature=youtu.be&hd=1[/youtube]

The FR-S’ naturally-aspirated engine is innovative, being the first boxer to incorporate Toyota’s D4-S injection system, which utilizes both direct and port injection, resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband, without sacrificing MPG.

The flat-four can mate with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick and precise shifts with a short-throw, while the automatic transmission features aggressive, sporty shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is distributed effectively via a limited-slip differential.

The idea of “pure balance” is further realized by the FR-S’ lightweight design and short wheelbase. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner, with dynamic maneuverability and confident stability.

“Akio Toyoda has mentioned that he is going to bring the fun-to-drive spirit back to Toyota,” Hollis said. “I know that the Scion FR-S Concept is one of the ways that he plans to accomplish that.”

The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a good reflection of its inner power. The intimidating proportions of the concept give it a dominant stance that bleeds performance. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood-line that is remarkably sleek and low, made possible by the boxer’s architecture.

The low stance continues to exaggerate the FR-S’ menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that include bright LED clusters.

The solid panel roofline is sleek, lightweight and rigid, slotted with an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top.

The front fenders protrude upward, making space for the massive monoblock Five Axis 20×8.5-inch wheels, while the muscular rear fenders are widened to house the 20×10.5-inch wheels, emphasizing the FR-S’ staggered stance and rear-wheel-drive setup.

The rear fascia sits low and wide, with extensive lower treatments that surround the dual exhaust exits and contribute to excellent aerodynamics. LEDs illuminate both the edgy taillights and the bold “SCION” logo.

The concept features four-piston-caliper front brakes that clamp down on monstrous 18-inch annular carbon ceramic matrix rotors that are fixed to the wheels in a motorcycle-fashion.

The FR-S Concept is layered in rich coats of Code Red, the appropriately named color that consists of a custom blend of candy and a developmental additive from BASF called Mearlite SSQ.

Concept Dimensions
Length – 168.2
Width – 71.5
Height – 47.4
Front Track – 61.8
Rear Track – 59.9
Wheelbase – 101.2

Scion Public Relations
Craig Taguchi
310.468.3282
[email protected]

Social Media Release: http://pitch.pe/141197

YouTube: http://youtu.be/xUjmIIBUBVQ?hd=1

Scion Dimension: www.sciondimension.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/scion

Congrats to Ken Gushi Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Winner

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Congratulations to Ken Gushi for his 2nd place overall finish in the Toyota Pro / Celebrity Race coming in 1st place over all the other Pros. Gushi battled through a 30 second handicap that the “Pro” drivers are given from the start of the race and weaved his way past the other Pros and Celebrity drivers as he closed the gap on winner actor William “Bill” Fichtner. Gushi looked good in the 10 lap race and had the best lap time of the day 1:46:429.

Other celebrities included: MMA fighter Tito Ortiz, Kevin Jonas (Jonas Brothers), and actor Djimon Hounsou. Other Pros included Scion Racing driver Chris Rado and previous celebrity winners Frankie Muniz, and Brian Austin Green. Toyota will donate $5000 to the Racing for Kids charity and an additional $5000 to the winner’s charity.

The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is scheduled to be broadcast on the Speed Channel on Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m. EDT and will be rebroadcast after that. (See local listings or www.speedtv.com for times.)


(podium image provided by Ron Bermudez)

Formula DRIFT Announces Official Driver List for Inaugural Formula DRIFT UAE Invitational Competition

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Long Beach, Calif. – January 19, 2011 – Formula DRIFT has announced the official entry list for the Inaugural Formula Drift UAE Invitational Competition at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on February 25, 2011.

A diverse selection of the top drivers from around the globe will showcase world-class drifting to the Middle East. The official roster of drivers include: past Scandinavian champion, Fredric Aasbo, 2009 Formula DRIFT champion, Chris Forsberg, 2-time Formula DRIFT champion and 3-time X-Games Gold Medalist Tanner Foust, top ranking driver, Ryan Tuerck, past New Zealand champion and Formula DRIFT USA & Asia competitor, Mike Whiddett, Formula DRIFT veteran Daijiro Yoshihara and Formula Drift regulars Ken Gushi, and Michael Essa along with Tony Brakohiapa as the alternate driver.

“Formula DRIFT is dedicated to providing the best drifting action to fans everywhere,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We are proud to showcase the best drivers from around the world to an international audience in Abu Dhabi at what is probably the most spectacular racing facility in the world.”

In addition, the event will be streaming live via the DriftStream on www.formuladrift.com. Fans will be able to catch all of the exciting action from the comfort of their own home. The live stream will air on February 25, 2011. For broadcast times visit the Formula DRIFT website .

For those that are interested in attending the live event, online tickets will go on-sale soon and can be purchased through this link – Event Tickets Tickets can also be purchased through the Yas Marina Call Centre at: 800-YAS-(927) or international number at +971 (0) 2 446 0384, which is open 7 days a week from 9 AM – 6 PM, local time. Tickets can be purchased directly at the Yas Marina Circuit at the East and West Entrance Gate Welcome Centre, Yas Hotel, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit Kiosk. In addition, tickets may also be purchased at select Virgin Megastores within the UAE beginning January 25, 2011.

As the premier professional drifting championship in the world, Formula DRIFT has helped modernize and globalize drifting, bringing it to places like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Panama, Mexico and now, the United Arab Emirates. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com