Tag: Orlando

Deane X Więcek: Picking Up The Pieces by Speedhunters

News

Posted on

In some ways, I’m glad the first defeat has come.

There was a lot of hype about the arrival of the Worthouse Drift Team in Formula Drift for the 2017 season. Two new drivers on the grid, two new cars and a lot of unknowns. James’ victory in Long Beach was proof for many that he could walk the walk, although for some, his immediate success was enough for them to overturn their longtime support, instead preferring to take the more trendy view of him being overhyped and his win being a one-off.

Some of the things that I heard and read after Long Beach certainly elicited a laugh or two, including one claiming he had an advantage because the car was right-hand drive. Others, who previously sung his praises were now chomping at the bit, eager for his failure. Wait until he gets to the ovals they said…

2017 FD02 Orlando Worthouse Speedhunters by Paddy McGrath-1

It just happened that Round 2 this year is an oval circuit, with the Orlando Speed World venue having swapped places with Road Atlanta in the Formula D schedule. One ex-Formula D competitor warned me in advance that OSW made Ireland’s Rosegreen – itself a tiny short oval in rural Tipperary – look like Talladega.

2017 FD02 Orlando Worthouse Speedhunters by Paddy McGrath-2

It was an over exaggeration, of course, but we were certainly a long way from the well groomed streets of Long Beach. Orlando is the first stop on a tour which takes in four corners of the United States, a trip across to Canada, along with a round in the heart of Texas. Leaving the familiarity of California behind, it felt like we were about to enter the real war for the Formula Drift Championship.

2017 FD02 Orlando Worthouse Speedhunters by Paddy McGrath-3

It was certainly less glamorous in Florida, but we were not there for the scenery. By the time I arrived on Thursday morning, the Bridges Racing crew already had a foothold established in the paddock. With the Orlando round also being a Pro 2 event, it meant an extra day of practice for all Pro 1 competitors.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Formula DRIFT Round 2: Unchartered Territory Results

News

Posted on

Formula DRIFT Round 2: Unchartered Territory Results;

Fredric Aasbo is Victorious

FD-RD2-Podium-600

final-600

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

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 1 Orlando Results

News

Posted on

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 1 Orlando Results;
Hometown Hero Kevin Lawrence Takes the Victory

FD-PRO2-RD1-podium-600

FD-PRO2-RD1-winner-600

Long Beach, Calif. – April 28, 2017 – The Formula DRIFT PRO 2 season kicked off in Orlando Speed World. The hometown favorite, Kevin Lawrence in the Enjuku Racing / BC Racing / Hankook Tire Nissan 240 takes home the victory.

PRO 2 kicked off the season in sunny Orlando, Florida with the first of four competitions. The action packed event had many highlights throughout the day and showcased the talent of the rising stars of the sport.

“The level of talent within the PRO 2 rankings is quite impressive,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “What started as a stepping stone for many American drifters has now blossomed into an international field of drivers competing at a high level for their chance at a Pro license and the chance to drive against the best drifters in the world.”

The quarter-finals featured door to door action that was often too close to call. The competition between Brandon Schmidt and Kevin Lawrence had two “One more time,” battles with Lawrence eventually getting the call to move into the Finals. In the other half of the quarter-finals, Travis Reeder met Josh Robinson and in one of the most exciting moments of the day, Reeder while having a debeaded tire managed to maintain drift to move into the Finals, while Robinson secures the third place finish. In a close final battle, the Orlando native, Lawrence was able to edge out Reeder to get the victory and take the lead in the PRO 2 points standings.

“I couldn’t do this without the support of my team and partners including Enjuku Racing, Hankook Tire, BC Racing, Competition Clutch and Konig wheels and without these guys I wouldn’t be out here driving, ” said Kevin Lawrence, winner of PRO 2: Orlando. “To all my team that is just here throughout the day – changing tires and just sweating it out with me is all I can ask for.”

Formula DRIFT 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.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2: Orlando Results

1. Lawrence, Kevin Winner
2. Reeder, Travis 2nd Place
3. Robinson, Josh 3rd Place
4. Schmidt, Brandon 4th Place
5. Waters, Randall 5th Place
6. Goble, Brody 6th Place
7. Stratton, Dirk
7th Place
8. Szilveszter, Gyorgy 8th Place
9. Lizardi, Luis
9th Place
10. Beechum, Trenton
10th Place
11. Rowlings, Kelsey 11th Place
12. Kiriakopoulos, George
12th Place
13. Vankirk, Matt
13th Place
14. George, Danny 14th Place
15. Meeks, Austin
15th Place
16. Brockway, Donovan 15th Place