{"id":39764,"date":"2018-05-18T11:55:40","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T15:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tcobcur.com\/ver4\/?p=39764"},"modified":"2018-05-18T11:55:40","modified_gmt":"2018-05-18T15:55:40","slug":"formuladrift-pro-winner-circle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tcobcur.com\/ver5\/formuladrift-pro-winner-circle\/","title":{"rendered":"#formuladrift Pro Winner Circle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Braselton Georgia \u2013 12th of May 2018:<\/p>\n

The maiden victory for Blu\u0161s didn\u2019t come easy
\nWith the field separated by the smallest margin, the competition was among the toughest of any Formula DRIFT event.<\/p>\n

In fact, there was a record number of \u201cOne More Time\u201d runs with 11 called throughout the competition. For those who don\u2019t know, \u201cOne More Time\u201d is requested when the judges call for the drivers to repeat their runs because it was impossible to pick a winner from the first runs.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_4970\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The climb to the top for Blu\u0161s began in the Top 32 against Kevin Lawrence (USA) driving his Enjuku Racing \/ BC Racing Nissan S14.3. <\/span><\/p>\n

Following that victory, his path was blocked by Forrest Wang in his Vapetasia \/ Achilles Radial \/ NRG Innovations Nissan S15. Wang is back from a one-year sabbatical and finished second at the opening round before standing on the podium twice at the\u00a0<\/span>2018 Motegi Super DRIFT Challenge. The on-form Wang didn\u2019t make things easy for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Blu\u0161s. In fact, the judges called for \u201cOne More Time\u201d an unprecedented two times<\/span><\/p>\n

\"IMG_4975\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When\u00a0<\/span>Blu\u0161s met Aasbo it was a meteoric contest. Both drivers committed everything to the struggle and the judges once again requested \u201cOne More Time.\u201d It would take one tiny mistake to separate them and eventually the decision went to Blu\u0161s.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_4987\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For Kristaps Blu\u0161s it was an emotional moment to finally claim a Formula DRIFT Pro category win. \u201cIt feels really great to have achieved this.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_4999\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I had two One More Times against Wang before battling both Worthouse guys, who are crazy good. Fortunately, my Achilles tires performed well and I got to the Final with Fredric Aasbo. I\u2019d battled with him five times before and always lost but finally I beat him.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_5036\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It feels crazy to be standing here and I\u2019m going to try to maintain the momentum for the rest of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

2018 FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top 16 finishing places from FD Atlanta<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Place<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Qual<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Driver<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Qual Pts<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Comp Pts<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Total<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Blu\u0161s #80<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

100<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

104<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aasbo #151<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

80<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

85<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Forsberg #64<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

68<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Wiecek #215\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

68<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Yoshihara #9\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

48<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

54<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Deane #130<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

48<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Denofa #88<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

48<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gushi #21<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

48<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

50<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pawlak #13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

39<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Bakchis #723\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Essa #101<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Hohnadell #118<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Wang #808<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Field #777\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Burkett #134<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

34<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tuerck #411<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

34<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

To view the Top 32 finishers, click here:
formulad.com\/results\/2018\/road-atlanta\/pro<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_5047\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Top Five<\/span>Pro Championship standings after three rounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Position<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Driver<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Points<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tires<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Car<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Frederic Aasbo<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

260<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nexen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Toyota<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chris Forsberg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

223<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nexen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nissan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

James Deane<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

208<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Falken<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nissan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Piotr Wiecek<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

191<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Falken<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nissan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kristaps\u00a0<\/span>Blu\u0161s<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

174<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Achilles<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

BMW<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0To view the 2018 Pro Championship standings, click here:<\/p>\n

formulad.com\/standings\/2018\/pro<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_5061\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Story by Greg Emmerson
\nPictures by Gregson and Francis.<\/p>\n

Check out the rest of the pictures e below.<\/p>\n

[gard]<\/p>\n