I don’t think anyone expected that.
I also don’t think that anyone could disagree with the result either. Florida was the first real unknown for the Worthouse Drift Team, with neither driver having experience at the Orlando Speed World oval, or the heat on the peninsula at this time of the year.
For all the euphoria that was felt after FD Long Beach, the atmosphere was very different as the sun set this evening.
Both cars were parked up after the Top 16, with James having been beaten fair and square by Jhonnattan Castro – who put in one of the all-time great chase runs, it has to be said – and Piotr being unable to return to the start line after making contact with the wall on his lead run against Dean Kearney.
Strong disappointment and frustration were definitely the initial reactions, but they were soon replaced by calm and considered reflection.
It’s only been a handful of hours since the event wrapped up, and fatigue has taken full hold of all involved, myself included. It’s just gone 1:00am in the morning, but already a careful dissection of the event has taken place within the team, which will likely continue over the next few days. Then, when all is understood, it will be time to implement whatever needs to be done before Atlanta. Just how much needs to be done remains to be seen.
In the meantime, while I gather my own thoughts on the last three days here in the Sunshine State, I’ve got to send some serious kudos and congratulations to Papadakis Racing and Fredric Aasbø for what they’ve been able to achieve with a brand new car after just two events. It was a sensational result.
Two down, six to go.
Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Jonnathon Castro just announced himself as a MAJOR contender with his performance. For James, I felt bad....but I wouldn't dissect too much, there was nothing anyone could do. Castro had a legendary run.
If you're going to be beat, that's how you would want it, IMO. Proper, all out driving and no gamesmanship.
The battle Castro/Deane was a pleasure to watch.
Concerning Piotr, isn't it during is lead run that he hit the wall?
I fixed that after a couple of hours sleep, probably should have waited until the morning to write it in the first place.
No problem, I should have think about it and wait a little before pointing it .
And from my point of view, it's better to post quick (even with small error that can be quickly corrected) than wait and forget your main ideas ;).
See you all in Atlanta! I'm excited to be at another FD event since Vegas '10!
See you there!
Jhonnattan seems to feel very comfortable with the Orlando track. Last year he knocked out Vaughn Gittin in Top 16 fair and square. Once he packs that kind of chase driving with a little more consistency, he will be a serious threat to the rest of the field in the coming rounds.
I've no idea where he got that from, but damn it was an impressive case of stepping up.
Out of curiosity, Paddy (or Larry) can you share stats on how popular these drift/FD articles are on SH? I admit it's not something I follow (I thought James Deane the pornstar was drifting), but maybe I should start.
I think that one of the top stories in April was a drift story, so they still resonate well with readers.
I'm here mostly for the drift articles. Amazing looking cars (most), that get driven hard too.
Drift fans like them.
I liked that Holden ute from Australia that took 3rd in Pro-2. Any pictures of that going to come through?
I wasn't covering Pro-2 (but I'll try in Atlanta) but maybe Larry has something? I did see it once driving through the paddock, looked brilliantly Australian.
I shot a few of it.