Top 32 Battle Video
Here are the two clips from my top 32 battle against Ah Fai at Formula Drift Malaysia 2011.
Formula Drift Asia Rookie of the Year!!!
Over the past two days, I had the opportunity to line up against a field of some of the best drifters in Asia to compete in the final round of Formula Drift Asia for 2011.
On Saturday, we arrived early at the track for final preparations on the Supra. I also took the time to walk the track one more time, as the undulating paved surfaces provided its fair share of challenges and I wanted to be sure of my lines before my first run for the day.
Going in to open practice, I had the chance to run through a set of tyres and get a feel for the conditions on the day. The track combined with the modest power output of the Supra required that right from the first entry I hit it at full tilt.
The practice helped to ease the building nerves as we prepared for our qualifying runs to fight for a place in the top 32.
Heading out for the first run, you could feel the excitement of the event building, as teams and drivers were absolutely focused on the task at hand. Spotters were in position and Head Mechanics were alongside the drivers to attend to and needs.
Rolling up at the start by laying down a rolling burnout to warm the tyres, I set off for my first qualifying run. The plan was simple and the team had been in agreement about it after seeing at least six cars wipe out on the concrete barriers surrounding the tight, technical track.
My first run started off strong, but I wasn’t particularly smooth through the final hairpin and was under speed in the first entry at 104km/h when I need 112/km/h to pick up and additional 10 points. I know I was going for safe, but this was a little bit too safe for my liking, as I only scored 56.6.
As I lined up for my second run, I knew I had to really push it to improve my points to secure a top 32 position. It was a solid run, but I found out afterwards, that I missed the speed on the entry by only 1.7km/h going in at 110.3km/h. I scored 64 points for the run.
We then had to wait until the end of the day for the drivers briefing for the top 32 to be announced. As we sat in the drivers meeting room and the positions were announced, I was relieved to hear that I qualified 25th overall. This meant that in the first round of battles I would line up against Ah Fai, who is a formidable competitor.
On Sunday, the day began very early. Not long after we arrived at the track, it was time to head out for practice. We had our spotters on track and were very carefully watching Ah Fai, looking for any points on the track where we could really challenge him. Going into the battle, there was really just one plan, to go all out.
As I lined up, the main concern running through my head was how I could keep up with the 650HP S13 alongside me, with the Supra generating 280HP with NOS. So I knew that I had to hit maximum speed in the first entry to help carry through the outside clipping point on the wall, then deep into the hairpin.
Off the line, Ah Fai accelerated ahead very quickly and had about three car lengths on me by the time we hit the first entry. Through the second and third clipping points, I was able to reel him in, getting up on him and holing it flat through the hairpin.
On the second run it was my turn to lead, with Ah Fai in chase. Knowing that he pulled away from me in the first battle I knew it would be hard to pull away from him. My spotters had radioed in that the first run was a good run at that the judges were impressed I had caught up to the more powerful car during the battle.
On the lead run, I went as hard as I could, going for maximum angle to try to make it as difficult as possible for Ah Fai, but he was all over me and did not seem phased by the slower entry speed and kept on me all the way through the run, even through the slower section at the hairpin.
The judges awarded the run to Ah Fai, so unfortunately, I had to bow out in the top 32. This was not the result that I was hoping for, but this is just how it played out on the day.
I was able to watch the rest of the battles as one by one, competitors were knocked out, until the final two faced up for the last battle. Daigo vs Orido.
Both very strong drivers with powerful cars, it was a heated battle, but ultimately Daigo put down two very convincing runs and made it three from three in the FD Asia series and taking home the overall championship.
The experience of my first season in Formula Drift has been a massive learning curve. Three countries, three different cars and some of the most amazing people and experiences.
I must thank the support of GT Radial Tyres for making this possible, it couldn’t have happened without their support. Also my thanks to my tireless supporters and sponsors, to Gavin Wood for making the time to leave his business and travel with me to take care of my vehicles and provide invaluable advice. My thanks to all of my sponsors, Ian Boettcher Race Parts, Super Pro Bushes, Motul, Ian Boettcher Discount Tyres, VRP Games, Kazuto Garage and TPR Media.
To round out an incredible season of Formula Drift, at the drivers dinner, I was awarded Rookie of the Year. I am honored to have received this award and it makes a wonderful end to an incredible season.
FD Malaysia – A day at the Square
Today we had our very first chance to both inspect and drive the crazy track at Merdeka Square where we will be competing over the weekend.
We arrived at the track very early and they were still in the process of getting the barricades in place and the cars were still arriving on tilt tray trucks.
Taking the time to check out the surface, we quickly discovered this was no ordinary track. With both a rise and fall, expansion gaps, zebra crossings and a paved road surface, it quickly became apparent that this track would be hard work.
With Kazuto and the team finishing preparations on the car and bringing it in later in the day, we had a good chance to talk to the other drivers and check out the competition.
One of the main formalities of the day was the driver briefing, where the team from Formula Drift introduced to us the track layout and the judging criteria.
The layout of the track is very much as expected, with a high speed entry, fast transition across the track, then another into a very tight, low speed hairpin.
The first clipping point is below a rise in the road, so you can’t actually see it when you take off. The judges let us know that they were looking for strong entries… no lifting!
The first few runs allowed a chance to start to get a feel for the track surface. It is very different to anything I have driven on before, as you really have to push the car to force it to break traction.
After a few runs we had a good feel for what was needed and we will be making a few changes to the setup of the car to dial in our grip levels to match the surface.
Tomorrow is the first day of competition, with practice then qualifying. The main goal tomorrow is to just make the top 32 so that we can push on to the final rounds on Sunday.
I really want to maintain my overall podium placing, but the first hurdle tomorrow is a big one. With a very strong field and a tough track, one mistake could make or break our podium hopes. I will be going all out to make it through and hope to be updating you tomorrow with good news.
Until then.. stay sideways and only drink Gatorade, number one sports drink.
kidding… kidding!
Here is a video from today taking on the Merdeka Square circuit
Formula Drift Malaysia – Arrival & Preparation
After ten hours of travelling, we arrived in Malaysia for the final round of Formula Drift Asia for 2011. With Soon meeting us at the airport, we headed to Klang, which is about 45 minutes from KL and where the Supra is being prepared.
After a stop at Nagamotorsport, where we were able to take a look at the Supra for the first time, we got ready for a practice session at a local circuit.
The Supra has an awesome presence and after firing up the V8 engine, it has plenty of noise to back up its good looks! The Supra has been fitted with a Toyota 1UZ engine, that has incredible amounts of torque. The overall horsepower is not earth shattering, but Soon had a way to fix that!
He arrived at the track and popped the boot of his car, where we saw two bottles of Nitrous Oxide that were quickly fitted providing another 50HP over 3000rpm whenever you are at full throttle.
The first few laps allowed some time to get a feel for the car, but it didn’t take long for the 100km/h entries to begin, holding it flat in third.
Having been awake for almost 36 hours, it was time to head back to the hotel. But not before Soon took us to one of his favorite local restaurants, that was well off the beaten path.
Catching up on sleep, we woke the following day and departed from Klang headed to KL for the Formula Drift press conference.
All of the drivers and the local media packed into a room at the Hilton in the centre of town, as Marcus Lim from Driftpac introduced the series and the drivers.
We met up with the rest of the GT Radial team late that afternoon and we all got together for a team meeting to discuss the upcoming days. Tomorrow, we head to the motorsport arena for the very first time. This will be our first time on track and will allow for some very valuable additional track time, as we take the media out for rides through the tight technical circuit.
Tomorrow will be our last chance for final adjustments on the Supra and will allow us to test on the track surface. It will be fantastic to be out on track and I look forward to checking in with a track report!
Until tomorrow… stay sideways!
One last thing, here is a clip from testing!
Queensland Times Feature
The countdown is on! In less than 24 hours we will be on the plane and heading to Malaysia for Formula Drift!
We were featured in the Queensland Times over the weekend, we really appreciate the local support!
Tyre Right Opening
I was invited to join the team at Tyre Right as they opened their new store on the corner of Stafford Road and Webster Road at Stafford. With Nova and the Sandman there, as well as Vince Sorrenti and a true legend of Australian motorsport, Allan Moffat. Allan was kind enough to have a photo with me and the S15 too!
You can check the out the guys at Tyre Right here: http://www.tyreright.com.au/
