World Champion Formula Drift driver Fredric Aasbo has renewed his contract with Nexen Tire Motorsports for two more years.
Nexen unveiled the Rockstar Energy/Nexen Tire 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback during the company’s press conference at the 118th annual New York International Auto Show.
Aasbo will compete this season in the vehicle redesigned by Hawthorne, Calif.-based Papadakis Racing. The hatchback features the Nexen SUR4G street-legal tires, a four-cylinder turbocharged Toyota 2AR engine, a dog-engagement manual transmission, a Papadakis racing-designed roll cage, a Borg Warner EFR turbo, AEM Infinity 8-fuel injection and RS-R suspension.
"One of the things that people may not realize about drifting is that it is a motorsport that requires an incredible amount of grip,” says Aasbo. ”We make 1,000 horsepower in our Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback and we need a sticky tire like the Nexen N'Fera SUR4G to succeed on track."
Nexen Tire Motorsports Team: Two-Year Renewal
Norway-born Aasbo captured both the Formula Drift Series and World championships in 2015, smashing the series record for most wins scored by a driver in a single season along the way. In 2016, he was named a runner-up, and was crowned second overall driver in 2017.
“I’m honored to be joining Nexen for another two seasons of Formula Drift,” says Aasbo. “Not only do the N’Fera SUR4G tires maximize on-track performance for myself and the vehicle, but the support of the entire Nexen Tire Motorsports team along the way has been invaluable.”Representing the Nexen team at U.S., European and Japanese Formula Drift events, Aasbo will also appear on the brand’s behalf at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and various dealer events.
“We are thrilled to have Fredric as part of the Nexen family for the next two seasons,” says Paul Jho, senior motorsports manager at Nexen Tire USA. “The incredible combination of the newly redesigned Papadakis Racing/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla hatchback, the Nexen N'Fera SUR4G extreme performance tire and Fredric’s world-class talent has the team going into the 2018 with big momentum.”
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