Tag: Michael Essa

Formula DRIFT New Jersey 2017

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To be fair, even though the deck above only references the trials of driver Odi Bakchis and his Falken Tire Nissan 240SX during Round 4 of the 2017 Formula DRIFT Championship, his wasn’t the only entry at Wall Speedway to suffer technical issues; there was plenty of that to go around. There was also a ton of insane driving in New Jersey, with the inter-webs buzzing afterward about the seemingly never-ending stream of unbelievably close tandems. A bunch of drivers clearly found their balls at Round 4, taking so-called “chase craft” to remarkable new heights.

The event got underway Friday with qualifying, as Chelsea DeNofa in the BC Racing Mustang RTR laid down an impressive 96-point pass out of 100, shooting to the top of the order — probably the best he’s done thus far in his new-for-2017 ride. DeNofa, Ryan Tuerck in the Gumout Nameless Performance 86, Justin Pawlak in the Roush Performance Mustang, Kristaps Bluss in the HGK Racing E46, and James Deane in the Worthouse Drift S15 all earned Top-32 byes due to qualifying so highly (meaning the event only had 27 entries for the 32 cut).

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Formula DRIFT Round 4: The Gauntlet Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 4: The Gauntlet Results;
Aurimas Bakchis Fights His Way to Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – June 3, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Wall Speedway in New Jersey for the fourth event of the season. Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the Falken Tire / Drifz Wheels Nissan 240 battled his way to victory.

“As we hit the half way point of the season, there’s still plenty of action left,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “These are the best drifters from around the world and the championship is still up for grabs.”

The Advance Auto Parts Round 4: The Gauntlet showcased tough competition throughout the event weekend. Over 1 million viewers tuned into the Livestream to watch the exciting action.

The Final 4 pitted Michael Essa in the Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW M3 against Kristaps Bluss in the HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E46 on one side of the bracket. The battle of the BMWs went to the 2013 champion, Essa as he took advantage of a mistake by his opponent. Bakchis was set to face off against Matt Coffman in the Nexen Tire / Coffman Racing Nissan 240, but after failing to repair his vehicle within the allotted 5 minutes, Coffman had to bow out giving Bakchis the win. In the final battle, Essa faced off against Bakchis, with the first run being a very competitive outing. The second battle ended in dramatic fashion as Essa’s tire debeaded coming off the bank and Bakchis’ motor gave out just as he crossed the finish line. Bluss rounded out the podium in third place for the second consecutive event.

“I feel amazing. It was a very hard battle for us the whole weekend,” said Aurimas “Odi” Bakchi, winner of the Advance Auto Parts Round 4: The Gauntlet. “We had lots of challenges, but my crew pulled it together and allowed me to drive like an animal and kept my car somewhat together just enough as it literally blew up right at the finish line. The timing couldn’t have been better and I couldn’t be happier.”

The action continues to Round 5: True North at Autodrome St-Eustache in Montreal, Canada on July 15-16. 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.

Advance Auto Parts Round 4: The Gauntlet Event Results

1. Bakchis, Aurimas Falken Tire / Drifz Wheels Nissan 240 Winner
2. Essa, Michael Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW M3 2nd Place
3. Bluss, Kristaps
HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E46 3rd Place
4. Coffman, Matt Nexen Tire / Coffman Racing Nissan 240 4th Place
5. Deane, James Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia 5th Place
6. Aasbo, Fredric Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM 6th Place
7. Yoshihara, Dai Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ 7th Place
8. Jones, Jeff DOC Racing Nissan 240 8th Place
9. Denofa, Chelsea BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR 9th Place
10. Tuerck, Ryan Gumout / Nameless Performance / Hankook Toyota 86Falken 10th Place
11. Pawlak, Justin Roush Performance Ford Mustang 11th Place
12. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR
12th Place
13. Rintanen, Juha STR Racing Wheels / Nexen Tire Nissan Silvia 13th Place
14. Heilbrunn, Alex IMR / Nitto Tire BMW M3
14th Place
15. Hamilton, Nate Team Enjuku / BC Racing / Hankook Tire Nissan 240 15th Place
16. Nishida, Robbie Jerry Yang Racing Nissan GT-R 16th Place

2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Standings After 4 Events

1. Deane, James Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240 297.00 Points
2. Essa, Michael Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW M3 241.00 Points
3. Aasbo, Fredric Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM 230.00 Points

2017 Manufacturer Championship Standings After 4 Events

1. Toyota 441.00 Points
2. Ford 326.00 Points
3. BMW 241.00 Points
4. Dodge 204.00 Points
5. Nissan 155.00 Points
6. Mazda 86.00 Points

2017 Tire Championship Standings After 3 Events

1. Falken 590.00 Points
2. Achilles 526.00 Points
3. Nexen 483.00 Points
4. Hankook 398.00 Points
5. Nitto 373.00 Points

Formula DRIFT Round 2: Unchartered Territory Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 2: Unchartered Territory Results;

Fredric Aasbo is Victorious

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Long Beach, Calif. – April 29, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Orlando for Round 2: Unchartered Territory. Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM takes the victory and moves into the lead in the standings.

“This season is shaping up to be very entertaining and competitive one,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “The standings were shaken up after the last round with only 55 points separating the Top 7 drivers.”

Round 2: Unchartered Territory at the Orlando Speed World was an action packed event from start to finish. An estimated 1 million viewers tuned into the Livestream and were treated to a highly competitive event.

The semi-finals became a battle of champions with four past champions competing for the top spot. 2011 Formula DRIFT champion and number one qualifier, Dai Yoshihara in the Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ faced off against 2013 champion, Michael Essa, in the Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW M3. In a very tight battle, Essa edged Yoshihara to advance to the finals. 2010 champion, Vaughn Gittin, in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR went up against 2015 champion, Fredric Aasbo. A very close and technical chase run by Aasbo sealed the win to advance into the finals. In the finals, Aasbo found his groove and managed to take advantage of a small mistake by Essa to secure the victory and move into the top of the 2017 Pro Championship standings.

“What an incredible win! We only built this car over the off season and to get this first win after only the second time out is amazing.” said Fredric Aasbo, winner of Round 2: Unchartered Territory. “Today it all came together especially in that Top 4 battle with Vaughn Gittin Jr. and that was my highlight of the day showing that I can chase really close and getting this first win in the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM is huge.”

The action continues to Round 3: Road to the Championship at Road Atlanta on May 12-13. 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.

Round 2: Unchartered Territory Event Results

1. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

Winner

2. Essa, Michael

Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW M3

2nd Place

3. Yoshihara, Dai

Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ

3rd Place

4. Gittin, Vaughn

Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

4th Place

5. Tuerck, Ryan

Gumout / Nameless Performance / Hankook Toyota 86

5th Place

6. Kearney, Dean

Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper

6th Place

7. Castro, Jhonnattan

Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Tire Toyota 86

7th Place

8. Hohnadell, Alec

Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240

8th Place

9. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia

9th Place

10. Bluss, Kristaps

HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E46

10th Place

11. Forsberg, Chris

NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z

11th Place

12. Hamilton, Nate

Team Enjuku / BC Racing / Hankook Tire Nissan 240

12th Place

13. Field, Matt

Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240

13th Place

14. Moore, Cameron

Nameless Performance / BN Sports / Nexen Tire Toyota 86

14th Place

15. Wiecek, Piotr

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia

15th Place

16. Mohan, Kyle

Built 2 Apex / Mazdatrix / KMR 2016 Mazda MX-5

16th Place

2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Standings After 2 Events

1. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

158.00 Points

2. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240

142.00 Points

3. Tuerck, Ryan

Gumout / Nameless Performance / Hankook Toyota 86

122.00 Points

2017 Manufacturer Championship Standings After 2 Events

1. Toyota

280.00 Points

2. Ford

159.00 Points

3. BMW

119.00 Points

4. Dodge

103.00 Points

5. Nissan

87.00 Points

6. Mazda

34.00 Points

2017 Tire Championship Standings After 2 Events

1. Falken

281.00 Points

2. Nexen

260.00 Points

3. Achilles

222.00 Points

4. Hankook

209.00 Points

5. Nitto

208.00 Points

2017 Achilles Radial Formula DRIFT Team Announcement

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2017 Achilles Radial Formula DRIFT Team Announcement

IRVINE, CALIF., March 22, 2017 – Achilles Tires USA

Formula DRIFT USA

Achilles Radial is pleased to announce that the major sponsor partnership with Formula DRIFT USA continues in 2017, with a full roster of drivers competing in both PRO and PRO2 classes.  “Formula DRIFT has been a wonderful partner for our brand in the US and throughout the world,” said Cheralyn Hale, Director of Marketing.  We are excited to get back to the track and watch our awesome Team Achilles drivers burn up a lot of our 123S tires.” Achilles Radial is proud to announce the roster of talented drivers that will compete on Achilles Radial tires in Formula DRIFT USA during the 2017 season.  Continue reading 2017 Achilles Radial Formula DRIFT Team Announcement