{"id":42084,"date":"2018-07-24T09:10:09","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T13:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tcobcur.com\/ver4\/?p=42084"},"modified":"2018-07-24T09:40:04","modified_gmt":"2018-07-24T13:40:04","slug":"formula-drift-returns-to-the-west-coast-for-round-five-in-monroe-wa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tcobcur.com\/ver5\/formula-drift-returns-to-the-west-coast-for-round-five-in-monroe-wa\/","title":{"rendered":"FORMULA DRIFT RETURNS TO THE WEST COAST FOR ROUND FIVE IN MONROE, WA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Returning from the summer break, the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship headed to Seattle, WA for Round Five:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Autozone Throwdown presented by Rain-X. With the first half of the season over, and one of the most competitive driver line ups ever seen in the sport, it is time for teams to make a push to the Finals at Irwindale Speedway in October. And with only 39 points separating the top three places, there is still everything to play for.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As the event got underway, Formula DRIFT was delighted to announce it had signed a new three-year deal with the operators of Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA. This has secured the future of FD Seattle at the venue it has used successfully since 2005. \u201cWe\u2019re so excited to have signed this three-year deal,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Jim Liaw, Formula DRIFT\u00a0<\/span><\/span>president. \u201cOur entire organization, the teams and fans love coming here. There\u2019s always tremendous energy in the grandstands and the paddock, which gives the event its own special personality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"LC1_0236-copy\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

QUALIFYING<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Warm sunshine greeted the teams for Friday qualifying, but dark clouds could be seen over two areas in the pits. One of these was because\u00a0<\/span>Forrest Wang (USA) had to watch helplessly while his team raced to swap the engine on his Vapetasia \/ Achilles Radial \/ NRG Innovations Nissan S15. Miraculously, they completed the task in time but the engine failed to start, meaning Wang, who finished second at the opening round in Long Beach, CA would fail to qualify.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"LC1_0982-copy\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, Austin Meeks (USA) didn\u2019t qualify his Committed Service Brand \/ Achilles Radial Nissan S14.5. This would give the top two qualifiers bye rounds in the Top 32 heats on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That advantage fell to Piotr Wiecek (Poland) in the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Worthouse \/ Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15, who qualified first, and\u00a0<\/span>Kristaps Blu\u0161s, who qualified his HGK \/ Achilles Radial \/ MAST Motorsports \/ BMW E92 \u201cEurofighter\u201d in second place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As in previous rounds, qualifying was incredibly tight. On this occasion, Piotr scored two points more than Kristaps over his two runs to take first place. In turn, Kristaps had an identical score to third placed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Justin \u201cJTP\u201d Pawlak (USA) driving the Roush Performance \/ Falken Tires 2018 Ford Mustang. The drivers were only separated by a single style point in the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0[gard]<\/span><\/p>\n

Qualifying fourth was Piotr\u2019s teammate, James Deane in his identical Worthouse \/ Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15. He placed in front of fifth place\u00a0<\/span>Fredric Aasbo (Norway) in the Rockstar Energy Drink \/ Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla, who matched the Irishman\u2019s first run points tally but withdrew from the second run with head gasket problems. Having led the FD Pro standings for the first three rounds, Aasbo\u2019s recent inconsistency is understandably concerning for him but you can never count out the Norwegian nor Papadakis Racing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

THE HEATS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday would see the first repeat winner crowned in the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship. Such has been the ferocity of the competition that different drivers have stood on the top step in every previous round until now. However, the early interest in Seattle was focused on two local drivers who had the Washington crowd on the edge of their seats. Star of the show was Matt Coffman from Central Point, OR driving the Coffman Racing \/ Thunderbolt Racing Fuel \/ Achilles Radial Nissan 240SX S13. He was intent on improving his previous best finishing position for 2018, which saw him reach the Top 16 at the opening round in Long Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"LC2_0734-copy\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Coffman\u2019s first match-up was against 2009, 2014 and 2016 FD Champion Chris Forsberg (USA) in the NOS Energy Drink Nissan 370Z on Nexen Tires. Forsberg had plenty of momentum following a win in Orlando and a podium in Atlanta. The smart money was on the NOS Energy Drink driver but Forsberg encountered problems with a loss of power during the run. This caused Coffman to collide with the stricken Nissan 370Z on the banking during the first run. Both drivers took a five-minute technical timeout to make repairs, but a repeat of the problem in the second run handed Coffman the win.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heading into the Top 16, Coffman faced off against Aurimas \u201cOdi\u201d Bakchis (Lithuania) in the Falken Tires \/ Maxxoil \/ Drifz Wheels Nissan S14. With Odi recording consistent results all season, including fourth place in New Jersey, Coffman was again the underdog but overcame the Lithuanian to advance again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"LC1_0065-copy\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Reaching the Great 8, Coffman\u2019s phenomenal performance would be halted by\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Justin Pawlak, who\u2019s had a solidly season in the Roush Performance \/ Falken Tires 2018 Ford Mustang. Justin would eliminate the hometown favorite and finish fourth overall after losing in the Final 4 to eventual second-place finisher Ryan Tuerck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pawlak was fortunate to reach the Final 4 following an exciting encounter in the Top 16 with 2010 FD Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr in the Monster Energy \/ Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. During the first run, Gittin Jr would collide with Pawlak at the final clipping point. It was a tight turn that caught out drivers all weekend. The impact was hard enough to break Pawlak\u2019s tie-rod arm and cause Gittin Jr to collide with the wall after crossing the finish line. Unable to repair the Mustang RTR in time, Gittin Jr handed the win to Pawlak who was able to reach the startline for the second run.<\/span><\/p>\n

With intense battles going on throughout the heats, another local boy in the points hunt at FD Seattle was Cameron Moore from Battle Ground, WA driving the Cameron Moore Drift \/ Falken Tire Toyota GT86.\u00a0<\/span>He vanquished\u00a0<\/span>Jhonnattan Castro (Dominican Republic) in the GPP \/ Toyota Racing Falken 86\u00a0<\/span>in the Top 32 heat after an epic battle. With nothing to choose between the two drivers, the judges would call for \u201cOne More Time\u201d not once but twice. This meant they ran a total of six times and the crowd was ecstatic when the decision went to Moore. Sadly, he would succumb to Kristaps Blu\u0161s in the Top 16, but the spectators were whipped into a frenzy as Moore and Coffman performed at the highest level.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0[gard]<\/span><\/p>\n

Away from the local heroes, FD Seattle belonged to the Worthouse Team of James Deane (Ireland) and Piotr Wiecek (Poland). Their identical Worthouse \/ Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S15s would finish first and third, respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"LC3_9878-copy\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Deane\u2019s route to the top step saw him meet Kyle Mohan (USA) in the KMR \/ American Ethanol \/ Mazdatrix 2016 Mazda MX-5 in the Top 32, and then\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Kenshiro Gushi (Japan) in his GPP Toyota Racing \/ Falken Tire Toyota 86 in the Top 16.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Great 8, Deane would encounter\u00a0<\/span>Matt Field (USA) in the Wish \/ Borla \/ Falken Tire Chevrolet Corvette. Field was lucky to reach this stage after a collision with 2015 FD Champion Fredric Aasbo in the Top 16. Driving the Rockstar Energy Drink \/ Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla, Aasbo had slowed into one of the clipping zones, causing Field to make contact. This put Aasbo down on points, which he was unable to overcome on the second run.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"LC1_0982-copy\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Field would fall to Deane in the Great 8, and the 2017 FD Champion faced his teammate, Piotr Wiecek, in the Final 4. With two on-form drivers in identical cars, the competition was nail-bitingly close but the decision went to Deane.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Irishman moved onto the final against Tuerck and again both drivers were almost inseparable. With the crowd calling for \u201cOne More Time\u201d the judges narrowly ruled in favor of Deane, who would climb to the top step of the podium and extend his lead over Aasbo in the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship by 85 points.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"LC3_0353-copy\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"LC1_1460-copy\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"LC1_1641-copy\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis win was no easy task,\u201d said a typically understated James Deane after the podium celebrations. \u201cThere were some incredibly close battles this weekend. Everybody was fighting extremely hard but we had some luck with our toughest opponents making small mistakes. This helped us to the win but I kept it consistent, and it\u2019s a great feeling to be increasing my advantage in the championship. The pressure is on us to continue the progress but it\u2019s all good.\u201d

Ryan Tuerck was delighted with his second place after an extended absence from the podium. \u201cIt feels like a long time since I was last here so we\u2019re all very excited. This really boosts morale and confidence after the team worked so hard during the break to resolve all the small problems we had with the car. We got the car dialed-in early this weekend and I just tried to be consistent. The only mistakes I made were against James (Deane), which I\u2019m really bummed about because he doesn\u2019t leave any room for error. So we\u2019re happy with the podium and looking forward to St Louis.\u201d
<\/span><\/p>\n

We also caught up with Formula DRIFT\u00a0<\/span><\/span>president, Jim Liaw to get his views on the event: \u201cWe love the fans in the Pacific Northwest. They\u2019re awesome and it\u2019s what brought us here in 2005 and why we\u2019ve stayed ever since. This is such a great venue and every year has been a capacity crowd. The operators have worked to improve the venue over the years and that\u2019s why we signed a three-year extension to remain here until 2021 at least. We love it at Evergreen Speedway and we\u2019re looking forward to coming back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Round Six of the 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship takes place in St Louis, MO on August 10-11.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Visit\u00a0<\/span>formulad.com<\/a><\/span>\u00a0for event details, ticket purchases, driver profiles and Livestream information.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>2018 FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top 16 finishing places from FD Seattle<\/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

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

\n

Deane #130<\/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

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Blu\u0161s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>#80<\/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

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

\n

Heilbrunn #949<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Coffman #959<\/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

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Bakchis #723<\/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

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

\n

Denofa #88<\/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

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

\n

Yoshihara #9<\/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

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

\n

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

\n

Gushi #21<\/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

Moore #333<\/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

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

\n

Jones #818<\/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

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

\n

Gittin Jr #25<\/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:<\/p>\n

formulad.com\/results\/2018\/monroe\/pro<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Top Five\u00a0<\/span>Pro Championship standings after five 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

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

\n

417<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

332<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

297<\/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

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

\n

293<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Justin Pawlak\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

284<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

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

http:\/\/www.formulad.com\/standings\/2018\/pro<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Top five\u00a0<\/span>Auto Cup standings after five rounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Ford\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Chevrolet<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

BMW<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

To view the 2018 Auto Cup standings, click here and scroll down:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.formulad.com\/standings\/2018\/pro<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Tire Cup\u00a0<\/span>standings after five rounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Falken\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Nitto<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

To view the 2018 Tire Cup standings, click here and scroll down:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.formulad.com\/standings\/2018\/pro<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Formula DRIFT is recognized as the leading international drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver’s ability and control. Formula DRIFT provides a series for professional drifters to compete nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship. As the first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting drift fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life, and established itself as the global leader for the sport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Formula DRIFT has the most viewed livestream in the world, catering to more than 2.5M fans annually. The series is also featured on CBS Sports in the USA and distributed globally by IMG Media, reaching over 400M households.\u00a0CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers, and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, visit\u00a0<\/span>cbssportsnetwork.com<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n