Formula Drift was back in New Jersey for Round 4: The Gauntlet at Wall Speedway and saw Hankook Tire drivers Fredric Aasbo and Chris Forsberg score first and second place respectively.
Aasbo’s first place victory is the first Pro Championship win of his Formula Drift racing career. Forsberg’s second place podium finish is his fourth podium of the season, having scored a first place win at the opening round in Long Beach, California, a third place finish at Round 2 at Road Atlanta and a second place finish at Round 3 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The sold out event began under clear and warm weather conditions that gave drivers and fans in attendance exactly what they needed for a competitive day of racing. Working their way from Top 32 to Top 16 Hankook teammates Aasbo, in his Scion tC, and Forsberg, in his Nissan 370Z, quickly made their way through the field, meeting up against each other for the final battle of the day. Racing was close but saw Aasbo take the win in the final placing the drivers first and second place on the winner’s podium.
“I had a perfect car this weekend and my Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires gave me the edge I needed to take it to the top spot on the podium,” said Aasbo. “Our best battle of the night was against my Hankook Tire team mate Chris Forsberg in the final, a perfect ending to an amazing weekend!”
Aasbo’s first place win moves him into second place overall in the 2014 Formula Drift Pro Championship points standings, while Forsberg’s second place finish keeps him confidently in first.
“Our Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires performed flawlessly all weekend as we qualified in first place and battled with Fredric Aasbo in the all Hankook final round bringing home our 4th podium in a row pushing Hankook even further into the lead of the tire championship,” said Forsberg. “I can't wait to get to the fast bank at Monroe Speedway!”
These two additional Hankook podium finishes keep Hankook Tire in the lead in the 2014 Formula Drift Tire Championship standings. Launched in 2013 the Tire Championship points race ranks manufacturers based on overall driver finishes. Hankook Tire won the inaugural Tire Championship for the 2013 Season.
“Fredric, Chris and their teams did a great job this weekend. It is great to see two of our drivers next to each other on the winner’s podium” said Paul Jho, Hankook Tire America Corp. Motorsports Marketing Manager. “With only three more rounds left in the season Chris, Fredric and Hankook Tire have the chance to make 2014 one for the record books.”
Formula Drift heads to Monroe, WA next for Round 5: Throwdown at Evergreen Speedway on July 18th and 19th.
