Behind the Smoke Episode 6

Dai had a rough time at Road Atlanta after having suffered a broken suspension in qualifying.

Chris Forsberg at Road Atlanta

Jersey Streets released a video for Chris Forsberg runs at Atlanta.

Achillies Tire at Atlanta

Here is a video for the Achillies Tires Team's experience at Road Atlanta this year.  During the round Robbie Nishida lost to Frederic Aasbo, who went on to take 2nd, in the Top 32 round and Daigo Saito defeated Chelsea Denofa in the Top 32, Vaughn Gittin Jr in the Top 16, Odi Bachkis in the Great 8, and losing to Aasbo in the Final Four, only to defeat Walker Wilkerson to take 3rd place, which puts him 2nd in Championship points.

Behind the Smoke - Season 2 Episode 5

Here is the Behind the Smoke look at Dai's qualifying effort at Road Atlanta.

FD Atlanta by Jersey Streets

"Formula Drift decided to run a different layout this year at Road Atlanta and ultimately made for some interesting tandem throughout the weekend. Enjoy this short piece of Formula D drivers taking you through the new layout at Road Atlanta."

Video filmed and edited by Brian Casse

Rhys Millen FD Round 2 Recap

Rhys Millen Racing video from Formula DRIFT Round 2

2013 Mustang and Justin Pawlak at Atlanta

New video from Ford Racing on the weekend that Justin Pawlak and Vaughn Gittin Jr. had at Road Atlanta.

Road Atlanta Podium

The podium finishers for Round 2 Road Atlanta are:

1. Justin Pawlak (defeated Ken Gushi, Ryan Tuerck and Michael Essa)
2. Fredric Aasbo (defeated Robbie Nishida, Kyle Mohan, and Rhys Millen)
3. Diago Saito (defeated Chelsea Denofa, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Odi Bachkis)

Also up for mention is a strong showing for Walker Wilkerson (defeated Ken Moen, Tony Angelo, and Joon Maeng), who finished 4th in the event.

This is also your top three in points after two rounds, but with Saito leading Aasbo.

The Great 8 included the four above and Michael Essa (defeated Matt Field and Corey Hosford), Joon Maeng (defeated Toshiki Yoshioka and Tyler McQuarrie), Odi Bachkis (defeated Patrick Goodin and Matt Powers), and Rhys Millen (defeated Luke Longberger and Ryan Kado).

Formula DRIFT Road Atlanta Top 32

Here are the Top 32 after Formula DRIFT qualifying.

1. Michael Essa
2. Vaughn Gittin Jr.
3. Frederic Aasbo
4. Chris Forsberg
5. Conrad Grunewald
6. Ryan Kado
7. Matt Powers
8. Justin Pawlak
9. Dai Yoshihara
10. Odi Bakchis
11. Rhys Millen
12. Kenneth Moen
13. Joon Maeng
14. Dennis Mertzanis
15. Daigo Saito
16. Matt Field
17. Danny George
18. Chelsea Denofa
19. Kyle Mohan
20. Tyler McQuarrie
21. Wwalker Wilkerson
22. Luke Lonberger
23. Patrick Goodin
24. Ryan Tuerck
25. Ken Gushi
26. George Marstanovic
27. Jeff Jones
28. Tony Angelo
29. Toshiki Yoshioka
30. Robbie Nishida
31. Darren McNamara
32. Corey Hosford

 

 

Formula DRIFT Atlanta Top Qualifier: Michael Essa

Michael Essa took the top qualifying spot and the RETAKS insane entry award for Round 2.

Driftstream Road Atlanta

The live stream for Formula DRIFT Round 2 at Road Atlanta is set to start around 2PM EST today.  There is supposed to be a special surprise during the stream.  Practice is set to being at 4:30PM EST.

http://www.twitch.tv/driftstream



Here's the weekend's schedule of events (from FormulaD.com):

Friday, May 11, 2012 – Practice & Qualifying

8:00am - 6:00pm - Will Call: Open for Vendors/Sponsors/Teams
10:00am - 10:30pm - Gates Open to the Public - Venue
10:15am - 10:35am - GTA: Session #1 - Track
11:35am - 11:55am - GTA: Session #2 - Track
12:10pm - 1:55pm - Pro /Am: Qualifying - Track
2:25pm - 2:45pm - GTA: Session #3 - Track
3:00pm - 4:00pm - Autograph Signing Session - NOS Energy Drink Booth
3:45pm - 4:15pm - GTA: Session #4 - Track
4:30pm - 5:30pm - FD: Open Practice - Group 1 - Track
5:30pm - 6:30pm - FD: Open Practice - Group 2 - Track
6:45pm - 9:00pm - FD: Qualifying - All drivers in reverse ranking order
9:00pm - 10:30pm - Pro/Am: Top 16 Competition
10:30pm - Gates Close to Public

Saturday, May 12, 2012 - Main Event

8:00am - 7:00pm - Will Call: Open for Vendors/Sponsors/Teams
10:00am - 10:00pm - Gates Open to the Public - Venue
10:15am - 10:45am - GTA: Session #2 - Track
12:00pm - 12:15pm - GTA: Session #3 - Track
1:15pm - 1:30pm - GTA: Session #4 - Track
2:00pm - 4:00pm - FD: Top 32 Open Practice - Track
4:00pm - 6:00pm - Main Competition: Round of 32 - Track
6:00pm - 7:30pm - "Half-Time" Break - Venue
7:30pm - 8:00pm - National Anthem / Opening Ceremonies - Track
8:00pm - 10:00pm - Main Competition: Round of 16 to Finals - Track
10:00pm - 10:30pm - Trophy Ceremony and Closing - Main Paddock

*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

New Road Atlanta Layout

Here's one of Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s practice runs, that shows the new track layout for the Road Atlanta event this weekend.

Drifting Ban Makes Local News in Atlanta

The Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB TV recently had a segment regarding the drifting ban in the city.

During this segment they stated that with a dB meter they measured the noise level to be below 76db and commented that the fireworks for the baseball game at that same location register between 145 and 150 db.  The fireworks would be set off more times and later on week nights than any drifting events that would take place at Turner Field.

The broadcasters even brought up that Cindy McCain (Senator John McCain's wife) openly supports drifting and has drifted herself.

For more information about the effort to support this ban being lifted, visit the Save Drifting in ATL Facebook page.

Formula DRIFT Atlanta Nearing

Many drivers and crews are posting to Twitter and Facebook that they are arriving in or leaving for Atlanta for this weekend's round of Formula DRIFT.

Should be a great one, I'll be following it on the DriftStream as much as I can.

Win Tickets to Formula DRIFT Atlanta

Go to http://www.iamformulad.com and enter to win tickets to Formula DRIFT Round 2 Atlanta.

Winners will be announced on the Formula DRIFT Facebook page.

*This blog is not affiliated with I am Formula D or Formula DRIFT and does not have any say or responsibility for this contest.

MotoIQ Joins the Fight To Save Drifting in Atlanta

MotoIQ recently chimed in, as many Formula DRIFT drivers have via Twitter and Facebook, to petition against the new ordinance that would ban drifting in the City of Atlanta, which would lead to the end of (legal) drifting at Turner Field.

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/id/2521/proposed-amendment-to-outlaw-drifting-in-atlanta.aspx?3

Also, don't miss MotoIQ radio tonight, which will include this topic. http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/id/2520/motoiq-radio-episode-41-thomas-smith-and-element-tuning.aspx

Save Atlanta Drifting

There is a push on Twitter now to get #saveatldrift trending..let's do it!!

Team SIKKY Atlanta Prep

This video was just posted with Team SIKKY getting ready for Atlanta.

Robbie Nishida Testing SC300

Recently, Charlie at Just Drift took a snapshot of Robbie Nishida testing his new Formula DRIFT car, a Lexus SC300, which should debut in Atlanta. The car is sponsored by Achilies Tires and SPEC clutch.

*Photo from Wrecked Magazine

FD Round 2 Atlanta

Another reason to go to or watch (via Driftstream) the second round of Formula DRIFT at Atlanta...there is talk of a new track layout. While not vastly different, it may make things difficult on the cars that have lower horsepower numbers.