 | Formula Drift - Round 7 Finals Date: October 11, 2008 Location: Toyota Speedway, Irwindale, CA. Article: Clinton Lum Photos: Clinton Lum, John Coupe |  |
The stakes were high and it was put up or shut-up to qualify as well as clinch the 2008 Formula Drift series. Everyone pushed their cars to the limits because they had to. These drivers scraped their rear ends, popped off their bumpers (both front and rear), smashed through plastic barricades, and spun out because they came into corners too hot.
After all of that drama just to qualify, there were 16 hardcore drivers to duke it out. The top 16 included Rhys Millen, Ryuji Miki, Vaughn Gitten Jr., Bill Sherman, Sam Hubinette, Conrad Grunewald, Daijiro Yoshihara, Michihiro Takatori, Tanner Foust, Mitsuru Haruguchi, Ryan Tureck, Chris Forsberg, Justin Pawlak, Taka Aono, Manabu Orido, and Robbie Nishida.
When the sun started dropping in the horizon, the track became that much more treacherous. The warm day and grip that the drivers grew accustomed to while the sun was out changed as colder temps rolled in. Of course they had grip with their tires, but considering that these drivers were already riding that fine line between a sweet drift and a major slam into perimeter concrete, they had to adjust to their night game.
Sometimes I wonder how these drivers can do what they do, like whipping into turn 1 at around 80 mph slide sideways and also do it while opponents kick up major tire smoke in their face. These guys have skills, that's for sure.
In the end, Vaughn Gittin Jr. clinched Round 7, and took his spot on the podium. Tanner Foust came in second and Justin Pawlak clinched 3rd place.
2008 Series Point Standings
1st - Tanner Foust (599 points)
2nd - Samuel Hubinette (544 points)
3rd - Rhys Millen (510 points)
CVT TRANMISSION
If you like drifting, look what's coming up next month...
Formula DRIFT, North America's premier drifting sanctioning body, has partnered with Red Bull Energy Drink, the world's leading energy drink, to create one of the world's most anticipated drifting events ever - the Red Bull Drifting World Championship. The event, which will feature 32 of the world's best drifters, will be held on the docks at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday, November 15, 2008. www.formulad.com
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