Formula DRIFT 2017 Round 8: Title Fight at Irwindale Speedway
Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Irwindale Speedway for Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight”. Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan 240 takes home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinches Rookie of the Year honors, while his teammate James Deane in the Worthouse / Falken Tire Nissan 240 clinches his first Formula DRIFT Championship.
Deane completed an impressive season with four event victories and a third place finish at tonight’s finale to secure the championship. His sponsor Falken Tire swept the podium and won the Tire Manufacturer championship for their second consecutive time. Toyota wins their fourth consecutive Manufacturer championship.
“It’s been such an intense weekend at the biggest event I’ve ever competed in with the championship on the line at one of the craziest tracks I’ve ever driven,” said James Deane, 2017 Formula DRIFT champion. “It is also my birthday today so there was just so many emotions and with so many fans coming in from Ireland and Poland, I just wanted to put on a good show. It’s just been a dream season.”
The sold out crowd came for one last Formula DRIFT finale at Irwindale Speedway, which is often referred as the birthplace of US drifting. The Livestream drew over 1 million views over the course of the event.
“This was an incredible season that saw the rise of two exceptional international drivers. It’s a testament of the talent in the Series having the best drifters in the world choosing Formula DRIFT to compete,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “We look forward to our 15th season and have some exciting things planned for next year.”
In the Top 4, Vaughn Gittin in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR faced off against Daijiro Yoshihara in the Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ. In his chase run, Gittin made contact with the wall giving the win to Yoshihara to move him into the Finals. While in the Great 8, Deane and Aurimas Bakchis, made contact, which Bakchis was deemed at fault. Deane failed to get his car fixed in the allotted time giving his Worthouse teammate the win to put him into the Finals. In the Finals, Yoshihara and Wiecek had a very close battle, but the speed and proximity of Wiecek was too much to overcome. Wiecek takes his first Formula DRIFT victory and secured his Rookie of the Year honors.
“I feel amazing,” said Piotr Wiecek, winner of Round 8: Title Fight. “It’s such a great atmosphere and such a great sport. I’d like to thank my whole crew and teammate James. What an unbelievable season.”
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 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight”
1. Wiecek, Piotr Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15
Winner 2. Yoshihara, Dai Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ
2nd Place 3. Deane, James Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15
3rd Place 4. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR
4th Place 5. Aasbo, Fredric Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM
5th Place 6. Pawlak, Justin Roush Performance Ford Mustang
6th Place 7. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX
7th Place 8. Heilbrunn, Alec Monster BMW E46
8th Place 9. Denofa, Chelsea BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR
9th Place 10. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z
10th Place 11. Essa, Michael Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW E46
11th Place 12. Field, Matt Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX
12th Place 13. Hohnadell, Alec Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240
13th Place 14. Bluss, Kristaps HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E92
14th Place 15. Gushi, Ken GReddy Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota 86
15th Place 16. Castro, Jhonnattan Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86
16th Place 2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Final Standings
1. Deane, James Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240
651.00 Points 2. Aasbo, Fredric Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM
538.00 Points 3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX
418.00 Points 2017 Manufacturer Championship Final Standings
1. Toyota 923.00 Points 2. Ford 751.00 Points 3. BMW 367.00 Points 4. Dodge 311.00 Points 4. Nissan 294.00 Points 6. Infiniti 174.00 Points 2017 Tire Championship Final Standings
1. Falken 1255.00 Points 2. Nexen 979.00 Points 3. Achilles 877.00 Points 4. Nitto 781.00 Points 5. Hankook 705.00 Points
