Formula Drifting in Seattle

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

Round Five of the 2009 Formula Drift series at Seattle’s Evergreen Raceway is a done deal. There were some upsets, carnage, a great crowd, the sweet smelling Falken girls (don’t ask how I know this) and most important of all, no rain. In practice before the event even began Dai Yoshihara hit the wall. Hard. Hard enough to totally total his discount Tire IS350. Hit the jump to see who won as well more news from Seattle.

Not only did Chris Forsberg win the event, his victory was enough to maintain his Triple Crown lead and vault him to the top of the overall points charts with only two events to go. It’s important to note that Forsberg’s Titan V-8 powered 350Z roadster was not capable of the highest speeds on Evergreen’s fast banks. But this didn’t stop him from getting the deepest angles and riding the wall higher than most throughout the weekend. It’s safe to say, barring any unforeseen circumstances that we’re looking at 2009 Champion here.

Aside from a sloppy tandem against Tony Brakohiapa where neither driver seemed to want it Eric O’Sullivan looked great throughout eliminations besting Kenji Yamanaka before facing off against Vaughn Gittin Jr in the final four. In this tandem JR seemed to come into the first corner, the big bank, a little hot causing Eric to spin and leaving JR with nowhere to go but directly into the Subaru. The damage was enough to end Eric’s day but not before the judges moved him into the Gold medal round. Since O’Sully’s Subie could not continue this gave Forsberg a first place bye run.

The battle for bronze was between JR and Tyler McQuarrie and the Falken Z pilot would not be denied.

Somehow I managed to convince filmmaker extraordinaire, Will Roegge to produce a StreetFire.net event coverage video for little more than a beard trimmer and vintage rave card for the spokes of his fixie. The video will be coming soon and the next round of Formula Drift will be at Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway on August 21-22. Drift ya later!