The 2009 Formula Drift season is officially over.
After an intense weekend of competition in front of a packed house at Irwindale Speedway, we have a new FD champion – Chris Forsberg and his NOS Energy Drink 350Z. We have a number of special stories from Irwindale coming up, including blogs from several FD drivers, but I'll start with some random scenes from the weekend, both on and off the track.
Ross Petty was matched up with his Falken teammate Dai Yoshihara in an all-Silvia Top 32 battle. This was one of the closer matches of the Top 32, but Dai was awarded the victory. You may have also noticed that Dai's car has been lowered a bit, losing the "4×4 stance" he was rocking at Sonoma.
During the break between the Top 32 and Top 16, everyone gathered at the NFS booth to watch Carl Rydquist, Darren McNamara, and Quoc Ly battle it out in NFS Shift. The one who could set the fastest lap around the Nurburging in a Maserati MC12 would get a $5,000 check from Royal Purple. I actually I thought I was a decent virtual racer until I saw these guys go at it. I believe Rod will be putting together a separate post on the NFS competition.
Those looking to take a break from the tire smoke could enjoy the J-Tuned car show, which had a particularly nice showing of VIP cars. My only complaint is that the cars were parked very close together, making photography a bit of challenge. It's understandable though, given the space limitations.
These days just having a nice car isn't enough, you need a matching fixie to mount on top of it.
Autofashion continues to bring VIP builds to a new level in the USA. This GS on display in their booth was stunning.
Fredric Aasbo had the tough task of facing Sam Hubinette during the Top 32. Fredric fought hard, but in the end the veteran Hubinette advanced from this high horsepower battle between Supra and Viper.
Dean Kearney with a nice transition during practice on Friday afternoon. It's too bad he wasn't able to make the Top 32, but I have a feeling this won't be the last US event we see him in…
Irwindale's walls and K-rails have a tendency to suck in cars, but fortunately there weren't too many wrecks this weekend. Yasu Kondo did take a little wall ride during his match against with Tommy Suell though…
Yasu's expression after surveying the damage is priceless…
Katushiro Ueo's Drift Speed S15 also took some damage to the front end, but nothing a little tape couldn't fix. Ueo would end up being eliminated by Robbie Nishida in the Top 32.
When Chris Forsberg went against Doug Van Den Brink in the Top 32, all he had to was advance to clinch the season championship. Doug didn't go down easy though – it took an OMT before Chris was able to defeat the turbocharged Mustang.
Following his victory, a celebration broke out on the grid as crew members and fellow drivers hoisted the new champion into the air. It's impossible not to smile seeing this kind of camaraderie.
Back on the track, another very close battle. This one between Kenji Yamanaka and Darren McNamara and their naturally aspirated V8's. D-Mac would end up taking this one.
Prior to the start of the Top 16, Falken rolled out their ALMS Porsche for a few laps around the track. Although many wanted to see, the drifting capabilities of the Porsche were not tested at Irwindale…
Without a doubt one of the biggest stories of the night was Matt Powers. Matt nearly took his KA-powered S14 all the way to the podium, but Tanner Foust finally defeated him in the battle for third. We'll save the details for a special story on Matt's Irwindale experience…
The night's top three finishers – Ryan Tuerck, Tyler McQuarrie, and Tanner Foust.
Stay tuned for more in depth coverage from Irwindale!
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
YASU'S EXPRESSION ...PRICELESS
HACHI PARTS, NOT....FIX IT!!! PLEASE
CooL Pic!!
Damn, thats the event every drift nerd need to attend !
Looks like it was HELLA awesome!
Somebody sign Matt Powers now!
What? I didn't know Powers was KA powered! Wow! Even more props! Ya, but if someone signs Powers, he'll have to drive some lame factory special.
Just give him money to build his own green monster!
Powers for prezz!!!
How did tommy sell due considering he qualified 4th?also how dis DAI do?
Yea Powers is KA-T powered,it was featured here on speedhunters
Many congrats to Chris and his crew for this new title. Enjoy!!
WHAAAAT!?
Matt, a privateer, almost came 3rd?!
That is incredible, and rather inspirational.
More shots or a feature or that GS, please?
I think the best part about drifting as a motorsport compared to other motorsport is that it all looks like a huge party! Drivers don't go out there to be serious adults and frown and bite each-other's heads off and fight with the cars and words and events and kill each other off and everything in there way. There are there to compete while having massive amounts of fun!
Props to Matt! It was exciting watching him clime to the top 4! KA=Kick Ass!! Saddest thing to watch that day was Tommy Robert Wrecking he's beautiful gold s13.
Indeed, many kudos to Matt Powers, privateer and student, showing that a $100k budget is NOT needed to succeed. Granted he did have a rather *ahem* easier road to 4th (all his opponents took themselves out pretty much), but I also remember him kicking butt in Long beach. Also, congrats to Chris Forsberg on his long-awaited championship.
HOWEVER
Looking at my video footage, the judges were completely and totally wrong on Vaughn Giittens elimination in the 32 round. His opponent did do a good job, but certainly did not run a better line, or stay closer to Gitten as the judges explained to the crowd. This pretty much left the event to Forsberg to win. Really left a sour taste in my mouth at the event. Maybe they shouldnt let other drivers that may or may not have personal agendas due to past defeats(?) judge such a deciding event.
Other than that, great event, great driving, and brilliant old JDM Datsuns in the car show!!
Forget matt powers. Joon maeng is the best privateer on the circuit. Hands down
Oh I just can't wait to hear about Matt Powers!!!
lol
at the red S15 with the tape holding part of the front bumper
Yo Yasu Kondo, I'm really happy for ya and imma let you finish, but Taka Aono had the best Hachi crash at Irwindale of ALL TIME.
^^^ solid lol
@IsaacGT-R: The Red S15 suffered a crash between runs, so they had to quickly get the car back into one piece for the following run.
Sad that the last round wasn't a championship like last year with a mondial character! I'd rather see Vlasblom and other Europeans on Irwindale showing their skills!
MATT POWERS FTW!!!!
But seriously, sucks to see JR made it into the top 16 since this is his favorite track....
Hey nice photos! haha can we possibly get a feature for the v8 s15?? that looks intense!! or maybe some more pics?? oh and while im at it maybe more of the falken porsche pleaaassee if that isn't to much to ask haha
cheers
Props to mattyckes, really! (Foust, fool :P)
CONGRATULATIONS TO FOSBERG!!!! YES!!!!
Matt Powers is the only guy out there do it how it should be done. No major sponsors (privateer), his friends help him work on his car and at events, no stupid major graffix flooding his car.
We need more people like him in FD, instead of all these guys with big teams and money behind them running V8s.
For the love of all things holy and sacred... someone PLEASE pick up Van Den Brink for 2010.
PLEASE.
sick props to matt powers. hes seriously an idol to all underground drifters out there.. really goes to show that you dont need loads of money to get a chance at the big time like he did.. i love his car.. probably the only true drift car out in formula d.. not a built track car like all the others but one that he obviously put his own blood sweat and tears into..
props to matt powers!
Congrats to Matt! I like privateers like Matt and also last year Vlasblom and Niezen who are privateer and come all the way from Europa without big sponsors. Both builded their own cars (BMW's) also! NIezen is picked up this year by Falken, Vlasblom is still a privateer, building own cars And clients cars) and sponsoring his own bij his own companies like http://www.driftking.nl and http://www.vlasblomporschtuning.nl
Awesome for Matt!!!
Is that white zenki S14 drifting with SuperMade aero!!?? Too rich for my blood!
@JONWHITAKER
the white s14 is using 326 power. that aero was on the car when haraguchi used to drive it back with falken
Add first pic in wallpapers plz! its awesome!! Matt powers FTW!