WHIDDETT FINALLY LANDS MAJOR FORMULA DRIFT CROWN
2009-11-11 16:09:29 Author: admin Source:
The Formula Asean Drift series, which made its Asian debut in Singapore in 2008, gathered in Bangkok, Thailand last weekend.for the inaugural event. Approximately 7,000 fans and drift enthusiasts witnessed a jam-packed two day competition featuring the region’s top drifters in an event won by New Zealand hotshot Mike Whiddett , followed by 2004 D1 Japan Grand Prix winner Ryuji Miki and Malaysia's Prince of Drift Tengku Djan in second and third respectively.
The Formula Asean Drift series subsequently became the Formula DRIFT ProAm Series in 2009 with its first regional event kick-off at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore on 4 -5 July. The second and third legs were scheduled for Bangkok, Thailand and the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park in Serdang. The Malaysian round will serve the Series' finale, also known as the inaugural Formula Drift Malaysia which will run from 19 – 20 December.
Top drifters from around the region played major roles for the Sponsors and spectators, in particular, title Sponsors of the Formula Drift Series, GOODYEAR in Bangkok over the weekend. At the Formula Drift Thailand, the smell of burning tyres and the sound of revving engines filled Thailand’s first and only world-class drifting ground, Wonderworld Park, Ramindra.
The inaugural Formula Drift Thailand ended with a climactic battle as "Mad Mike" Whiddett (centre in black), New Zealand’s champion drifter, and 2004 D1 Japan Grand Prix winner Miki competed head to head in a final showdown. Ultimately, Mad Mike was declared the winner after a heart-stopping three-round battle. Third place honors went to Malaysian drifter Djan, who was the 2009 Formula Drift Singapore champion last July.
Whiddett, drifting with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tires, overcame an equally gruelling knockout round with Djan in wet weather conditions as the rain poured before the Final Four began.
Intensity mounted on the second day when 32 qualifiers, including 23 Thai competitors, demonstrated their skills and techniques on the smoke-filled racing track, accompanied by the roar of powerful engines as the drifters revved up.
The three American judges invited from Formula Drift lent an air of stringency to the proceedings as the organizers aimed to bring Formula Drift Thailand standards to a new, more professional level.
The three American judges invited from Formula Drift lent an air of stringency to the proceedings as the organizers aimed to bring Formula Drift Thailand standards to a new, more professional level.
Thai drift king – Kiki Nana – was among the qualifying drifters and successfully sailed through to the final eight before being defeated and exiting from the competition.
All Thai drifters taking part said that this was the most impressive drift competition they had been involved in, and even though they were unable to bring the trophy home, the two days on the drifting ground with super drifters from across the region was an amazing experience. They also found the international competing standards tough and very challenging.
All Thai drifters taking part said that this was the most impressive drift competition they had been involved in, and even though they were unable to bring the trophy home, the two days on the drifting ground with super drifters from across the region was an amazing experience. They also found the international competing standards tough and very challenging.
The two drifters from New Zealand and Japan sweated it out in the final battle. Instead of two rounds of battle like the other competitions, the two drifters had to compete in three rounds since their skills were highly matched. Judges were put in the hot seat as they just could not agree on an unanimous winner. It was decided that the competition would be settled in a third round of battle.
Finally, it appeared that the third round had done the trick. Whiddett and Miki stood side by side on the stage. Tension rose to a peak as the third judge revealed his final score for Whiddett, and broke in a wave of emotion as the New Zealand drift hero was crowned the winner of Formula Drift Thailand with 2:1 score.
Formula Drift now moves to Malaysia as Goodyear hosts the final competition in the ASEAN Drift series, to be held in19 - 20 December at the MAEPS (Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang) grounds in Selangor.
The Formula Asean Series (Formula DRIFT ProAm Series 2009) is a collaborative effort with Formula DRIFT Holdings LLC to expand and build on the sport of drifting outside of North America.
Formula DRIFT Holdings LLC is the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional championship drifting series.
About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs nearly 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 25 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information on Goodyear, please visit www.goodyear.com.my.
