Crazy!ĭaigo’s Formula D experience wasn’t without challenges, though. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever heard the words 1200 horsepower and heavily detuned used together in that context. In the very first Formula D event he participated in, with a brand new car and brand new tire sponsor that most Formula Drift fans hadn’t previously heard of (Achilles)… Daigo made his way up the ranks to achieve a podium finish for his sponsors driving a Lexus SC430, powered by a heavily detuned 1200 horsepower 2JZGTE engine. Speaking of inspiring, Formula D Long Beach also marked the first official FD event that D1 Grand Prix Series Champion Daigo Saito entered as a competitor. I think a lot of teams in the series don’t realize that. Props to the team behind this car for not forgetting that even ‘ hella functional’ race cars need to look good in order to inspire fans. Here’s a great panned shot from MotorMavens shooter Mike Kim, with Dai powering through the Long Beach course at maximum speed! I think Dai’s S13 is one of the best looking “corporate cars” in the Formula Drift season, and it’s all because of the car’s bodywork and stance, and graphical layout. I wonder when Dai’s going to get some sort of helmet with the top cut off, so it doesn’t ruin his pomade work and his hair can stick out as he drives. Here’s Mr Cool Hair himself, Daijiro Yoshihara, waving to his fans and supporters from atop the podium. I know they had a big celebratory team dinner after the event! I’m pretty sure the folks at Falken Tire were pretty happy about finishing 1-2 at Long Beach. Consider it a little payback for beating the 2011 Formula D Series Champion at the first event of the season. Here’s our boy JTP at the podium ceremony, getting sprayed in the face by Dai. Drifting is continuing to grow, and it’s now larger than its ever been!Īs everyone that’s following on Instagram and Facebook already knows, former FC3S RX7 driver Justin Pawlak won top honors at Long Beach for the second year in a row, driving his Falken Tire Ford Mustang in an intense battle against Falken teammate Daijiro Yoshihara. How about that, naysayers? Drifting isn’t dead just because YOU can’t get sponsors. The grandstands were completely full, with only standing room available. With a first time ever SOLD OUT event at Formula D Long Beach, the venue was packed with plenty of familiar faces (and a ton of new ones) from all over the world! I received a multitude of text messages over the course of the weekend from friends asking if I could help them get tickets, but the event really was sold out and packed to legal capacity. In recent months, I’ve actually heard people say that the sport of drifting is in a slump, but I beg to differ. It’s always exciting to see the newly built (or rebuilt) competition cars attack the streets of Long Beach on the weekend preceding the Long Beach Grand Prix. The first event of the Formula Drift Championship season is always something to look forward to.
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