Formula DRIFT 2017 Round 7: AutoZone Showdown
Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Texas Motor Speedway for Round 7: AutoZone Showdown. James Deane in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan S15 had a perfect weekend as the number one qualifier and with his second consecutive event victory.
Irish driver James Deane has tied a Formula DRIFT record with his fourth event victory in a single season to increase his lead in the Pro Championship standings with only one event remaining. The capacity crowd was entertained throughout the event weekend, while the Livestream drew over 1 million views over the course of the event.
“This was quite the weekend here in Texas,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “With so much on the line, it made for an intense competition that I hope the fans enjoyed.”
In the Top 4, number one qualifier and current points leader, James Deane in the Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240 faced off against former champion and second in points, Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM. Deane was able to edge past his opponent to move into the Finals. On the other side of the Top 4 bracket, former champion Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy / Hankook Nissan 370Z faced Aurimas Bakchis in the Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels Nissan 240. A mistake by Bakchis on his chase run gave Forsberg the win. In the Finals, Deane’s consistent driving proved to be too much as Forsberg fell back and took a shallow line on his chase run, which ultimately lead to his win and a considerable lead heading into the Finals.
“I’ve drifted plenty of tracks in my time, but I’ve never drifted coming out of the first corner with a straight so long where you’re sitting behind the lead car just filled with smoke,” said James Deane, winner of Round 7: Showdown. “It worked out for me this time. I’m just super happy for everyone that supports me and everyone back home.”
The action continues to Round 8: Title Fight on October 13-14 at Irwindale Speedway. For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.
Round 7: Showdown Results 1. Deane, James Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15
Winner 2. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z
2nd Place 3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX
3rd Place 4. Aasbo, Fredric Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM
4th Place 5. Denofa, Chelsea BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR 5th Place 6. Yoshihara, Dai Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ
6th Place 7. Gushi, Ken GReddy Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota 86
7th Place 8. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR
8th Place 9. Coffman, Matt Nexen Tire / Coffman Racing Nissan 240
9th Place 10. Tuerck, Ryan Gumout / Nameless Performance / Hankook Toyota 86
10th Place 11. Wiecek, Piotr Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15
11th Place 12. Essa, Michael Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW E46
12th Place 13. Bluss, Kristaps HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E46
13th Place 14. Pawlak, Justin Roush Performance Ford Mustang
14th Place 15. Hohnadell, Alec Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240
15th Place 16. Castro, Jhonnattan Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86
16th Place 2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Standings After 7 Events
1. Deane, James Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240
582.00 Points 2. Aasbo, Fredric Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM
486.00 Points 3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX
367.00 Points 2017 Manufacturer Championship Standings After 7 Events 1. Toyota 837.00 Points 2. Ford 632.00 Points 3. BMW 331.00 Points 4. Dodge 275.00 Points 4. Nissan 275.00 Points 6. Infiniti 156.00 Points 2017 Tire Championship Standings After 7 Events 1. Falken 1065.00 Points 2. Nexen 892.00 Points 3. Achilles 807.00 Points 4. Nitto 664.00 Points 5. Hankook 645.00 Points
