And So It Begins
And So It Begins
Formula Drift Round 1, Streets of Long Beach
Photography by Joseph Ginzburg
Maybe I’m just crazy, but to me there is something magical about opening day of a new season of any motorsports series. Formula Drift is no different. Since the close of 2011 I’ve been awaiting the 2012 season of FD; waiting to see the returning drivers, the new cars, and the buzz around the newest drivers; 19 new drivers (the largest rookie field in the series according to John Pangilinan). Everyone with the same hopes for series champion.
Stepping into that energy is just amazing; the excitement, unexplainable. There were some driver changes for this season, some surprising. The new cars and new livery show the always changing trends in our industry and of course there is the addictive smell of race fuel and burnt rubber.
And to show that nice guys do finish first, Justin Pawlak took the victory at the season opening event in his Falken Tire Ford Mustang. Daijiro Yoshihara in the America’s Tire/Falken Nissan 240 took second place. Then there’s the new guy Diago Saito who placed third in his Achilles Tires/Bridges Racing Lexus SC430. Let me tell you, Diago’s SC430 is something of a masterpiece and I’m looking forward to seeing more of that car all season.
| Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2012 Point Standings After 1 Event | ||
| 1. Pawlak, Justin | Falken Tire Ford Mustang | 106 Points |
| 2. Yoshihara, Daijiro | America’s Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 | 92 Points |
| 3. Saito, Daigo | Achilles Tire / Bridges Racing Lexus SC430 | 78.50 Points |
| 4. Powers, Matt | Need for Speed / Nitto Nissan S14 | 69.50 Points |
| 5. Tuerck, Ryan | Team Retaks Nissan 240SX | 66 Points |
| 6. McQuarrie, Tyler | Mobil 1 Camaro | 64 Points |
| 6. Millen, Rhys | Hankook / Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis Coupe | 64 Points |
| 8. Forsberg, Chris | NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z | 63 Points |
| 9. Gushi, Ken | Scion Racing Scion FR-S | 62 Points |
| 10. Moen, Kenneth | Lutz Performance Nissan 350Z | 61.50 Points |
| 11. Grunewald, Conrad | Hankook Tire Chevy Camaro | 57 Points |
| 12. Aasbo, Fredric | Need for Speed / Papadakis Racing Scion TC | 57 Points |
| 12. Kado, Ryan | Ryan Kado Racing Nissan 350Z | 56 Points |
| 14. Mohan, Kyle | Nexen Tire / Mazdatrix Mazda RX-8 | 55 Points |
| 15. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” | Bakchis Motorsports Nissan 240SX S14 | 54.25 Points |
| 15. Yoshioka, Toshiki | RS*R Nissan Silvia S15 | 54.25 Points |
| Title Fight Event Results | ||
| 1. Pawlak, Justin | Falken Tire Ford Mustang | Winner |
| 2. Yoshihara, Daijiro | America’s Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 | Second Place |
| 3. Saito, Daigo | Achilles Tire / Bridges Racing Lexus SC430 | Third Place |
