Coming in third was Darren McNamara. All said, it was a total Team Falken weekend as McNamara, Pawlak and Gittin qualified second, third and fourth, respectively. Tyler McQuarrie was eighth and Daijiro Yoshihara, winner of Round 2 at Road Atlanta, was 12th, rounding out the five Falken factory drivers.
“This was the kind of finish we are so proud to be a part of,” stated Nick Fousekis, Falken’s Director of Motorsports Marketing and Events. “Even though this was a new track, we were well prepared, as our teams ran strong all weekend long. Team Falken gave the crowds a show and once again, we appreciate the tremendous support from car builder Autosport Dynamics.”
Pawlak, Gittin, McQuarrie and McNamara advanced past the Top 32 round and continued through the Top 16. Only McQuarrie went down in the Top 8 to Chris Forsberg, the event’s top qualifier. Gittin defeated him in the Top 4 round while Pawlak beat teammate McNamara. That set up Gittin against Pawlak in the Final.
“It was JR’s Monster Energy Ford Mustang v. Justin’s Mustang, and that was one of the two equalization factors – the blue oval on the grille – with the other being our Falken Azenis RT615K tires both cars rode on, and then Justin squarely defeated the champ,” said Jonathan Bradford, Falken’s Drift Motorsports Supervisor. “It was exciting!”
This is the second victory of the young season for Pawlak, who claimed top honors at Long Beach in April. After Round 3, the 2011 Championship standings place Pawlak in 1st, McNamara 2nd, Yoshihara 3rd, McQuarrie 7th and Gittin in 10th. Privateer Ross Petty is 18th.“ I think it’s fair to say Falken definitely invaded and conquered Palm Beach,” Bradford added.
Falken also hosted 412 dealers and guests at its hospitality suite at the raceway.
Team Falken will nexttake on The Gauntlet at New Jersey’s famous Wall Speedway in just two weeks, June 17-18, for Round 4of the 2011 Formula Drift Championship.
To learn more about the Falken Tire Drift Team visit www.wegetyougoing.com
