Djan claims another Asian Formula Drift title

2011-08-04 20:08:14 Author: admin Source:

The Formula Drift Singapore weekend which marked the kick-off of Asia's premier Drift series was filled with plenty of action and excitement for the drift competitors as well as spectators. 

The mandatory format for the tandem battles follow; one car as the leader and the other the chaser, the drivers are judged on their speed, style and ability to maintain the best drift angle possible.

Malaysian drifters featuring the likes of Tengku Djan Ley, Tan Tat Wei, Ee Yoong Chern and Ser Ming Hui all proved their experience and skills against the Formula Drift Singapore's International line-up of pro-drifters. In the end, Djan and Tan made it to the finals with Djan edging out Tan for the coveted Formula Drift Singapore title. Aside from the Malaysian contingent, notable teams from Thailand, Japan and Singapore were well represented in the top 32, but for this round's Formula Drift Singapore, the top 32 field only featured 29 runners with the top 3 qualifiers receiving byes from their exceptional qualfying runs on Saturday. Ryuji Miki, Atsushi Murata and Tengku Djan moved on into the top 16, while the remaining  26 runners had to duke it out for the top 16 list.  
 

In the hour long top 26 battle, there was a major upset when Team Goodyear Philippines' David Feliciano (above) beat veteran Ee Yoong Chern to move on into the next stage. Hometown drifters Ivan Lim, Jason Tan, Jansen Tan and Felix Lim all failed in their attempts to carry the national flag to further stages, losing to more experienced International drifters.  

Team Goodyear Malaysia's hopes rest on the team's debut drifter Hanizam bin Hamzah (above) in the stage's elimination battles, following Michael Gan's premature technical problem during his tandem battle with Ivan Lau. Hanizam did his bid during his tandem round against countryman Wong Kee Thong to make it into the top sixteen in an impressive display of drift mastery. His next opponent would be the favored Japanese drifter Atsushi Murata, joining Hanizam and Murata into the top sixteen were Thai Chanapol Kerdpiam (SS Flora), Daniel Woolhouse (Fanga Dan), Tengku Djan, Kiki Sak Nana, Lim Kim Wan, Feliciano, Miki, Indonesia's Rhenadi Arinton, Tan, Ivan, Nitipat Lamaikul, Emmanuel Adwitya Amandio (Dio), Davide Dorigo and Ser Ming Hui (Fai).      

As the Formula Drift Singapore headed for an intermission, Motorsportchannel.com took the opportunity to speak to Richard Fleming (above), Managing Director of Goodyear ASEAN, about the prospects of Goodyear Racing teams at the Formula Drift Singapore and upcoming drift events in respective countries. Fleming, an ardent Trucker and Motorsports enthusiasts, commented, "I believe that our teams at the Formula Drift Singapore are well-oiled and highly competitive to face the competition. Here in Singapore, Goodyear is well represented with teams and drivers from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia."   
  
"Among the countries represented at these Formula Drift Asian series, the Malaysian and Thai teams fair somewhat better than the others. The squad from Philippines is the newest addition to the Asian Formula Drift scene," he added.

Fleming also elaborated on Goodyear's participation and continuous interests in the drifting scene, "Goodyear will continue to spur drifting competitions in domestic as well as International events, such as the upcoming Goodyear International series and Formula Drift Asian series. We believe that the Formula Drift Asian series have provided a great branding platform to Goodyear and a strong reference to our racing and high performance tyres, such as; the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric and Goodyear Revspec."        
 

As fans poured into the grandstands for the second half of the Formula Drift Singapore, the top sixteen runners promptly drove their mean machines round the track behind the Nissan 370Z safety car and stopped momentarily to greet them. When the processions ended, Miki was up against Rhenadi in the first clash of the top sixteen (above right). Rhenadi came out tops in that duel to create the major upset of the competition. Then, Tan easily dispatched Ivan in an all-Malaysian duel for the next stage; Nitipat overcame Indonesian Dio into the Great 8; compatriot Davide beat Fai to advance; Team Goodyear Malaysia's Hanizam outgunned Murata; Fanga Dan beat SS Flora; Djan made quick work against Kiki to move on; and Wan filled to final Great 8 spot when he overpowered Feliciano.       
  
In the Great 8 round, the intensified tandem battles got the crowd roaring – however, it was the battle of the final four that had the crowd on their feet and ended the event in a spectacular style. Fanga Dan grabbed the consolation for third placing and final podium slot, beating Thailand's Davide in four runs.

The final tandem battle between Djan and countryman Tan saw Djan outclassed his rival in car-handling skills and entry speed into turn 1 for the second consecutive Formula Drift Asian series crown. In the final duel, Djan and Tan set up a highly entertaining showdown with both cars barely kissing the barricade walls in the final runs, ultimately Djan prevailed by being the more consistent driver.

At the post-race conference,  an elated Djan quoted, "I am really happy with my achievement this weekend. This competition was a wonderful platform for me to improve myself to try to bring my driving to another level. It is definitely not easy being out on the track, as every run is different and getting the right speed and angle at entry was not easy. I am happy with how I controlled my aggression out there and to have won the title."

The top three drivers picked up crucial points for the Formula Drift Asian Series, which includes legs in Indonesia, Thailand and the Grand Final in Malaysia later this year.

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