It was the 11th podium finish for Team Falken in seven Formula D races, a season in which the tire company’s factory-supported teams dominated all year long. Falken placed first in five of the seven events.
Three Team Falken drivers were in the top five in the final standings. Total points between the top five drivers were close, but Gittin Jr. was clearly the favorite after taking two wins in the six races leading up to the Title Fight. He finished the season with 632 points. Irwindale winner Tanner Foust eventually finished second in the standings at 568.5, and Team Falken Driver Daijiro Yoshihara ended up fourth overall, just one point behind third place Ryan Tuerck. Team Falken Driver Darren McNamara took fifth.
“This was Jr.'s year plain and simple, said Jonathan Bradford, Falken’s Drift Team Supervisor. “There is a lot to be said about finishing on the podium six out of seven events this year. It was a pleasure to be involved with a team that left everything on the track and drove with an all-in attitude. We have successfully rewritten the record books and I would like to personally thank the fans that rooted for Falken throughout this unbelievable season.”
"Our team’s success would not be possible without the support, hard work and dedication of our two fabrication/engineering facilities, Autosport Dynamics (ASD) in Charlotte, NC and SPD Metalworks in Anaheim, CA,” added Nick Fousekis, Senior Manager, Consumer Marketing. “I'd also like to thank all of the sponsors, including our newest, Monster Energy, for their faith in Falken's program. Last but certainly not least, we thank the fans of drifting. Without you, the sport would not have grown into that it is today."
