Formula Drift - Update from in the pits from this weekend
13-Apr-2009
For Immediate Release
April 11, 2009
Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Results;
Tuerck Takes the Season Opening Victory
Long Beach, Calif. – April 11, 2009 – Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach kicks off their 6th championship season to a sell-out crowd. Ryan Tuerck and the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice took home the victory and leads the 2009 Professional Championship Point Standings.
The Long Beach Grand Prix Street Course hosted the season opening event to a standing room only crowd. The infamous track is the only course that is held on actual city streets making it one of the more unique drifting courses in the nation. The 2009 season included the addition of the veteran driver, Tony Angelo, as a new judge to the series. It also marked the first 2-day event structure of the season and the change of competition formats. This season will be the first time a Top 32 format will be utilized in the Pro Championship series creating more drifting competition rounds and more action for the fans.
“Despite the current economic state, Formula DRIFT has continued to push forward and the success of this season opening event has proved that drifting has continued to grow,” said Ryan Sage, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Without the support of the fans, teams, and sponsors Formula DRIFT would not have been able to pull off this exciting event and we look forward to the rest of the 2009 season.”
The event showcased some of the most exciting drifting to date and the introduction of the Top 32 competition format brought a new element to the event and more action. The season opening event unveiled a few highly anticipated vehicles including Rhys Millen and the Red Bull / RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and the 2010 Falken Tire Ford Mustang GT, and returning champion Tanner Foust in the Rockstar Scion Racing tC, who finished in third place after a very intense and close battle with Robbie Nishida in the Hankook Tire / Dynamic Autosport Nissan 350Z in the consolation round. The finals pitted 2-time Formula DRIFT champion, Samuel Hubinette in the NuFormz Racing / Mopar Dodge Viper against Ryan Tuerck and the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice. Tuerck edged out Hubinette with very consistent driving throughout the event taking the first victory of the season.
“It’s an amazing feeling starting the season off on top,” stated Ryan Tuerck, Round 1: Streets of Long Beach winner and driver of the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice. “This isn’t a one man show and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice team. It’s very satisfying to stand at the top of such a talented field of competitors.”
The 2009 Formula DRIFT season continues on May 8-9 in Braselton, GA at Road Atlanta for Round 2: Proving Ground. Tickets are on-sale now.
| Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2009 Point Standings | ||
| 1. Tuerck, Ryan | Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 | 102 Points |
| 2. Hubinete, Samuel | NuFormz Racing / Mopar Dodge Viper | 90 Points |
| 3. Foust, Tanner | Rockstar / Scion Racing tC | 84 Points |
| 4. Nishida, Robbie | Hankook Tires / Dynamic Autosports Nissan 350Z | 72 Points |
| 5. Aono, Taka | Technosquare Toyota AE86 Corolla | 65 Points |
| 6. Brakohiapa, Tony | Cooper Tire Ford Mustang | 62 Points |
| 6. Foust, Tanner | Rockstar / AEM Nissan 350Z | 62 Points |
| 6. Gittin, Vaughn | Falken Tire Ford Racing Mustang GT | 62 Points |
| 6. Forsberg, Chris | NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Tire Nissan 350Z | 62 Points |
| 10. McNamara, Darren | Falken Tire / Sears Saturn Sky | 61 Points |
| 11. Pawlak, Justin | Mazda USA / Cooper | 58 Points |
| 12. Grunewald, Conrad | Tanaka Racing Chevy Corvette | 57 Points |
| 13. Ly, Quoc | Driftspeed Nissan S14 | 56 Points |
| 14. Ueo, Katsuhiro | Driftspeed Nissan S15 | 55 Points |
| 15. Jeff Jones | Comp. Turbo / K&N Filters Nissan S13 | 54.50 Points |
| 16. Hayashida, Kazu | Maziora / Signal Auto Nissan S15 | 53 Points |
| Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Event Results | ||
| 1. Tuerck, Ryan | Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 | 102 Points |
| 2. Hubinete, Samuel | NuFormz Racing / Mopar Dodge Viper | 90 Points |
| 3. Foust, Tanner | Rockstar / Scion Racing tC | 84 Points |
THANKS TO THE TEAM AT FD - CHECK OUT THIS WEEKENDS ROUND 1
MORE UPDATES SOON.
Live from the Top 4. Hubinette beats out Nishida to make it into the Top 4 after Nishida spins on the final turn. Foust and Tuerck battle in a close contest that goes to a “One More Time”.After the “OMT” battle..the judges each came to different calls with Ernie calling for another “One More Time,” Tony calling for Tuerck, and Andy calling for Foust…which results in another “One More Time.” In the double-overtime and Tuerck moves on to the FINALS against Hubinette!
Who will win???
Stay tuned for the FINAL RESULTS for Round 1: Streets of Long Beach!
Live from the Great 8! Nishida moves past Verdier. In the battle of American muscle Hubinette in the Mopar Dodge Viper beats out after a One More Time the pilot of the Falken Tires Ford Racing Mustang GT, Vaughn Gittin Jr. Tuerck moves past Brakiohapa. After a crash on the first turn, Foust moves past Aono into the Top 4.
Another exciting round of competition. Some highlights include Verdier taking out the #1 qualifier and winner of last year’s RD1 LB event, Chris Forsberg, in a close battle. Nishida moving on past Quoc Ly. Gittin easily moving past Kondo. Hubinette edging out Long Beach native Justin Pawlak in one of the most exciting rounds of action. Tony Brakiohiapa beating out Darren McNamara in a close battle. Tuerck moving past Grunewald after Grunewald crashes out. In one of the most anticipated battles Ueo vs Foust - with Foust taking out the Formula DRIFT rookie. Another Rookie Jones after a “One More Time” vs Aono crashes out moving Aono to the Great 8.
And did I mention a visit from UFC lightweight fighter Rampage!
Highlight photos
Foust and Ueo in a tight battle!
More photos after the jump and stay tuned for the GREAT 8
For moreon this blog go to http://www.formulad.com/blog/?p=1036#more-1036
Opening Ceremonies
Tommy Suell did not make it into today’s competition, but check out what happened during qualifying.
Even Rally driver Ken Block loves Formula D
The beginning of The worlds Premier Drifting event !!
More exciting action as we are half way through the Top 32 battle. So far drivers - Forsberg, Verdier, Nishida, Ly, Kondo, Gittin, Pawlak, and Hubinette have made it into the Top 16.
