Behind the Smoke 2 - Ep 13 New Jersey Finals

Dai's Finals battles at Formula DRIFT New Jersey.

Formula DRIFT Insider Episode 7

Episode 7 features an in-depth look at the controversial run between JTP and Daigo at Formula DRIFT Palm Beach.  Also, an exclusive interview with Joon Maeng.

Behind the Smoke 2 - Ep 12 New Jersey Tandem Battles Formula D - Dai Yoshihara 2012 - YouTube

The tandem battles that Dai faced at New Jersey.

Behind the Smoke 2 - Ep 12 New Jersey Tandem Battles Formula D - Dai Yoshihara 2012 - YouTube: 'via Blog this'

Formula DRIFT Round 5 Evergreen Results

Round 5 of Formula DRIFT had is fair share of surprises and strange happening during the tandem battles. Ultimately, it was number one qualifier Vaughn Gittin Jr, taking the win with Ryan Tuerck and Rhys Millen joining him on the podium. Ken Gushi had a strong run finishing in four place.

The event shook up the points standings a bit with Vaughn Gittin Jr now leading, followed by Saito, Pawlak, Yoshihara, and Tuerck.

Here is a run-by-run account of the event.

Top 32
The first battle at Evergreen started off with little surprise to many as Vaughn Gittin Jr defeats Miro Ovcharik.

Michael Essa then defeats Odi Bakchis after some apparent contact by Odi.

After some corrections by Chelsea Denofa in the RX8, it was deteremined that Walker Wilkerson would be moving on.

Matt Powers moved to the Top 16 after battling Kyle Pollard and Jhonatthan Castro wins after a spin by Pat Mordaunt.

Taka Aono made a huge error which lead to Matt Field moving on.

A big correction by Chris Forsberg allows his Hankook Tires teammate Rhys Millen to take the win.


Dai Yoshihara takes the win from Dennis Mertzanis after Mertzanis hits the wall.

One of the big surprises of the night was Justin Pawlak losing to Jeremy Lowe by dropping two tires off the track. Knocking him out of the points lead.

Ryan Tuerck wins after Robbie Nishida crashes into the wall.

Fredric Aasbo and Ryan Kado defeat Pat Goodin and Alex Lee, respectively.

Toshiki Yoshioka moves on against Tony Angelo due to Angelo going off course.

To round out the Top 32 Round, Conrad beats Tony Brakohiapa and Daigo Saito wins against Darren McNamara.


Top 16
The Top 16 round started with Michael Essa crashing, giving the win to Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Matt Powers defeats Walker Wilkerson after Walker has contact with the wall.

Matt Field and Rhys Millen move on after defeating Jhonattan Castro and Daijiro Yoshihara, respectively.

Ryan Tuerck moves on after a crash by Jeremy Lowe.

The Great 8 was then set after Ryan Kado defeats Fredric Aasbo, Toshiki Yoshioko loses his hood and the battle against Ken Gushi and Daigo Saito spins, giving Conrad Grunewald the win.


Great Eight
The Great 8 started just like the other rounds, win Vaughn Gittin Jr winning against Matt Powers.

Rhys Millen then betters Matt Field and Ryan Tuerck wins against Ryan Kado.

To finish out the Great 8 round, Ken Gushi wins after a spin by Conrad Grunewald.

Final Four
The Final Four matchup with Rhys Millen and Vaughn Gittin, again saw JR with the win, after Rhys dropped a tire.

After a OMT, Ryan Tuerck was able to beat Ken Gushi because of the gap left between them.


Finals
Rhys Millen then defeated Ken Gushi to take 3rd Place in the round.

Ryan Tuerck and Vaughn Gittin Jr had very close runs, but the win goes to Vaughn Gittin Jr. Who is now the Formula DRIFT points leader.

Ford Mustang Coilovers - Auto Parts Warehouse

Aasbo's GT86X at Gatbil

Here is a look at Fredric Aasbo's Toyota GT86x at the Gatbil event.  The car build only took about 40 days to complete.

Energy Suspension Master Bushing Kit - $156.58 at Auto Parts Warehouse

Evergreen Qualifying Results and Matchups

Here is a look at how qualifying rounded out at Evergreen Speedway and the matchups that will ensue from the qualifying order.

1. V. Gittin Jr vs 32. M. Ovcharik
2. J. Pawlak vs 31. J. Lowe
3. T. Yoshioka vs 30. T. Angelo
4. P. Mordaunt vs 29. J. Castro
5. C. Forsberg vs 28. R. Millen
6. C. Grunewald vs 27. T. Brakohiapa
7. F. Aasbo vs 26. P. Goodin
8. W. Wilkerson vs 25. C. Denofa
9. M. Powers vs 24. K. Pollard
10. R. Kado vs 23. A. Lee
11. D. McNamara vs 22. D. Saito
12. D. Yoshihara vs 21. D. Mertzanis
13. M. Field vs 20. T. Aono
14. K. Gushi vs 19. K. Moen
15. R. Tuerck vs 18. R. Nishida
16. M. Essa vs 17. O. Bakchis

Noteably not in the field is Tyler McQuarrie, who was knocked out when Daijiro Yoshihara ran his second qualifying run of 84 after a 0 on his first run.  Daigo Saito faced pressure similar to Dai Yoshihara when his first run was a 0, but was able to post a 79 to make it into the field, which knocked Jeff Jones out.

Also not in the field is Joon Maeng, who was unable to get his S13 ready in time for the event and Kyle Mohan, who had engine damage due to an issue with his fuel pump.

Throwback Thursday - Chelsea Denofa

I lieu of all the Throwback Thursday stuff I see out there, here is a video put together in 2006 featuring Chelsea Denofa with his Mazda Miata and some Central PA drifters at a private track.

Behind the Smoke 2 - Episode 11

A look into Dai and his crew's superstitions.

Discount Tire Direct - $60 Prepaid Card with select Falken tire purchase

Chelsea Denofa Officially Joins Bergenholtz

Bergenholtz Racing released a statement that confirms the rumors that Chelsea Denofa will be driving the RX-8 for the remainder of the 2012 Formula DRIFT season.

"Official press release: Two-Time Drift Champion, Chelsea Denofa and Bergenholtz Racing are joining forces. Chelsea will be driving the Nitto Tire BC Racing Mazda RX8 for the remainder of the 2012 Formula Drift Championship Series. “Chelsea is an amazing driver. His aggression and determination to win is reflective of his actions on track. We feel that this bold new partnership will increase the chances to win.” Said Ron Bergenholtz Team Manager of the Nitto Tire BC Racing Mazda Drift Team."

Mazda Rx-8 Centric Sportstop Performance Cross Drilled Disc Brake  » JC Whitney.com

Formula DRIFT Insider 6

This episode of Formula DRIFT Insider talks with Jarod DeAnda and talks about some of the calls at Wall, NJ.

Drift HD Sport Camera - AutoSport Catalog

Joon Maeng Partners with Feal Suspension

Joon Maeng and Odi Bakchis has announced that Joon has a new partnership with Feal Suspension.

Also Joon has announced what his new Formula DRIFT car is going to be and confirmed it will be the S13 that Road Race Engineering was working on.

Westech Engine pulled out from the dummy chassis and into our Pro Chassis! This will be our new @FormulaDrift Vehicle!

 — at Road Race Engineering.

Joon Working on S13 for Formula DRIFT?

Joon posted the pic below to Facebook earlier stating he can't wait to drift the new car at Formula DRIFT and thanked SEmpire and Road Race Engineering for their work on the car.  It is rumored that this is his black S13 that recently received a V8 swap.

Chelsea Denofa Splits From Technica Motorsports

If anyone needed any more confirmation to the rumor that Chelsea Denofa is taking over the Bergenholtz Racing RX-8 following the release of Joon Maeng (right around the same time Denofa was testing it), then the news that Technica Racing released a statement that they are halting sponsorship with Denofa.

Technica Motorsports is a BMW tuning shop out of Atlanta, GA, so it would make sense that if Denofa is not going to be driving the BMW anymore and moving to the RX8 that they would not have anything to offer him tuning-wise.

Spectre Filter for 240sx

Mad Mike's D1 Drift FD RX-7

I know there are at least a few Formula DRIFT fans that miss seeing this car in action.

Tony Angelo at Wall, NJ

Tony Angelo and his Scion Racing tC at Wall, NJ during Formula DRIFT Round 4.

McQuarrie and Denofa Make Statements About the Call at Wall

Here is what Tyler McQuarrie had to say to Wrecked Magazine about one of the more controversial calls at Wall, NJ:

"I think I should jump in here…. Not to changed people’s minds on the issue but to fill you guys in on what I was told by FD and how everything went down during our battle

First off, I think every FD driver has a run they would want to have back, and this one is one for me! I’m glad Chelsea was ok but super bummed about his car!


In the drivers meeting the judges told us that our initiation needed to be just like our qualifying run with the technique we use and the speed. I don’t think Chelsea was playing games but our run up to the initiation was unusually slow and his initiation looked a little different. Not sure if he had a problem with the car but it was diferent After that run, EOS who was spotting for me said the judges were talking about it already. For my lead run, I knew Chelsea has had some really good follow runs this year so my plan was to not hold anything back to try and prevent him from getting proximity on me. I initiated a little early and the car floated up the bank. The rear got in first then the front climbed the wall followed by Chelsea hitting me from behind. That’s all I knew at that point. I drove the car back to our pits thinking we were done. EOS came over the radio and said the judges were reviewing our battle. I went and apologized to his crew first. I found Chelsea and apologized to him too, But he told me to not worry about it. He said it was not my fault that he crashed…. He said he was going in to the bank to fast and if I didn’t hit the wall he would have either way. That’s how the judges saw it too, which is why they went back to the first run for their decision. This is not the first time this has happened. DMac vs Chris last year at Irwindale. Dmac made a mistake on their first run. Chris crashes the Dmac crashes on their second run so they went back to the first run for the decision and Chris won.


Either way, I’m sure a lot of people will still have the same opinion on this run, which I cant blame you for that. I just wanted people to know my side of it and that Chelsea even told me it wasn’t my fault that he crashed. I felt bad for Chelsea yesterday and feel even worse today. I hate seeing any driver lose a car!


Again, I’m not trying to change people’s view on this but just trying to fill you guys in on what I was told and saw. Let the comments continue "

And Chelsea Denofa:

"Wowzers! haha. Let me start by saying I am glad Tyler and I both are walking and traveling home today. It really was a gnarly crash. Ill give you my honest play by play from my point of view.


Lets start with the lead run.


I had been doing the hand brake entries all weekend, and in my run I did the same late hand brake entry that put my rear end on the wall. During this run, my initiation was not aggressive enough to get the car at comfortable angle, so I had to steer the car to that point. Which I DO consider a bobble (similar to Daigo in his follow run against Chris). From all of my footage, this caused Tyler to have a bobble as well. The rest of my run was at large angle, on line, and lots of smoke and speed, keeping a gap between Tyler and I while he did hit the transition clip in front of the crowd, and lifted the rear tire onto the bank.


Following run of DOOM!


Tyler had been doing a super gangster entry all weekend, I was actually jealous of it! But I also knew it would be tough to follow. I went into the run knowing I would have to leave a gap and close it by the 2nd outer clip by the stands. My speeds from the outer clip to the inside bank were 7+ mph faster then Tylers, So that was my strategy.


We leave the line, I leave the gap. He enters with a low line, So a stay slightly shallower so that I am able to close the gap. As I was reeling him in I noticed that there was a change in his angle, I added angle and followed his line for another 100ft. I then started pedaling the throttle to lower my speed because I could see that he was going towards the wall. At this point I had to make a decision. I was either going to go directly into Tyler with my side of the car on throttle, or put the (already been smashed 4 times) rear of my car into the wall with large angle and throttle and try not to smash my front. I chose the wall. I would like to say my decision was based in favor of a lesser injury for the both of us and my car, but it happened so fast that I can only admit choosing the wall instead of the Camaro.


I understand that judging is a very hard job and would not want to be in any of their shoes.


Here is my slight issue. Please understand that I am just stating my point of view and understand the decision has been made.


If my bobble in the lead run (which I completed) was the reason Tyler who hit the transition clip and put a tire off course took the win, Then how was his wall hit (not finishing the run) not equal or more of a bobble.


I have learned a lot from this accident, but I will continue to push the envelope and drive as aggressive as possible. That is a promise! I am glad Tyler and I can keep this website true to its name!"

And for those that have no idea what this is all about:

Joon Maeng Parting Ways With Bergenholtz

Bergenholtz Racing has announced that effective immediately they are parting ways with driver Joon Maeng.

Chelsea Denofa has been reportedly testing in the Bergenholtz RX-8 and looks to be the next driver of the car.

Here is the statement from Bergenholtz:

"Effective immediately, Bergenholtz Racing and Joon Maeng have both decided to part ways. “Though we both gave our blood sweat and tears to achieve podiums, we still couldn’t get the formula right. In our quest to win, we realize that change must occur and sometimes that involves tough decisions. It is with great heart-felt regret that this has to happen but I believe it is the best for the future of Joon and our team.” Said Ron Bergenholtz, Team Manager of Bergenholtz Racing."

Photo credit to Wrecked Magazine

Conrad Grunewald FD NJ 2012

Conrad Grunewald's Formula DRIFT Round 4 battles with Ward, Gushi, and Saito.