Ichiban Man. Aasbø Thai’s It Up
Dream big

As soon as I discovered drifting about 15 years ago, I started dreaming, secretly, of becoming a professional drift driver. A special feeling developed deep within that gave me a slight belief that maybe there was a chance that my dream could come true.

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But did I ever imagine that some day, I’d drive for one of the most iconic Japanese drift teams?

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Did I truly believe that I could garner enough support to compete all across the world in three purpose-built drift machines?

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And did I ever think I could actually win events on drifting’s world stage?

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Hell no. Back then, I never dared to dream that big. But through all these years, I’ve become more confident in what I can help to achieve.

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I say ‘help to achieve’, as a major breakthrough for me was when I realized that if I design my goals around helping other people reach theirs as well, we can accomplish big things together.

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This line of thought is especially true in motor racing, where you rely on sponsors and mechanics just to get out on track, let alone get results.

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Motor racing is a team sport.

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So when Terai-san, or Kengo among friends, said he wanted me to represent the RS-R brand and drive their new flagship GT86, I saw myself look back to my teen years. I grew up watching Orido and Taniguchi rip up the Ebisu Touge Course, and here I was, thrown right into that same mix.

It was a big deal.

It’s what you do with it that counts
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Now, the whole point of a big deal is to lead to something. Something bigger and better than your starting point… An elevated state. A finish line. The work began almost exactly one year ago, testing the initial build at Suzuka.

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We ended up reworking the steering three times and the cooling system a couple of times. In between Japanese to English translations and cultural differences, the entire team pulled from all their experience, and I was in the middle throwing in everything I had seen, felt and knew into the mix.

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We were struggling.

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The car itself was a major hit, and we got lucky in Australia. But underneath the surface we learned that it was a very ambitious build, and we had numerous issues. We ended up with a DNF in Malaysia in September.

That’s when we started digging deep. When January came around, we had been through all of our 2013 issues.

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And boom! We won qualifying.

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We then won Team Drift with my buddy Robbie Nishida!

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And in the end, we won Formula Drift Asia’s 2013 final and 2014 season opener in Bangkok, Thailand this past weekend.

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It was a perfect weekend and a full sweep!

You can watch all of my highlights right here.

When it was clear that we had won, Terai-san came walking over to me with a Rambo-style head band that he had saved for this very special occasion.

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It said Ichiban (this means first in Japanese).

Promise me to keep pushing for what you believe in – it might just ring true.

Till next time!

Fredric Aasbø

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1

Fredric Aasbo is a dynamic driver when it comes to drifting, he can adapt to a new chassis and layout quickly. He can produce something for you as a Sponsor, Mechanic, & etc. He will either produce a podium or just feedback/data on the car. Congratulations Fredric Aasbo, hope to see you take home the championship in FD USA this year.

2

Wear the headband under your helmet this year. It has been charged with positive energy. I wish all wins. Believe.

3

Way to go Fredric! Woo!

4

Congratulations on the win and the success of the team, Fredric. Your positive attitude is infectious and I wish you many years of success in your travels, sharing such a great outlook with others.

5

Hope Aasbo takes an event(or the season) in the US series for the 2014 season. It's time.

6
Gianluca FairladyZ

Hey Fredric! Thanks for this message. Everyone is in some way on their own pursuit of happiness and goals… There are also some times when a man is struggling and doubts come.. I feel this situation a bit right now.. But it's promised man.. I keep pushing! Thanks!

7

Don't just try for your goals. 
Try over and over and over again until you succeed. 
Persistence is the difference between a dream and its realization.

#IAMTHEDREAMHUNTER?

9

Congratulations Mr Aasbo. Seems to me like you (and your team) really earned it.

Oh, and more Thai / tie puns please. I never get thaired of 'em.

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