Fredric Aasbø kjørte inn til andreplass i helgens runde i Formula Drift i Utah.
Etter helgens andreplass ligger Fredric på tredjeplass sammenlagt i årets mesterskap. Simen Olsen, som ikke kom blant de 16 beste i helgen, ligger på 8.plass sammenlagt. Løpet i helgen var årets neste siste runde, og det hele avsluttes i Irwindale California 18-19.oktober.
Det er for øvrig tredobbelt Europa i serien før avslutningen. James Deame fra Irland leder med 566 poeng foran Aurimas Backhis fra Litauen med 492 poeng, mens Fredric Aasbø har 436 poeng på en foreløpig bronseplass.
PRESSEMELDINGfra Papadakis Racing:
Fredric Aasbo second in Utah
Tire and Manufacturer titles in sight for team as Formula Drift championship heads for Irwindale finale
GRANTSVILLE, Utah (September 2, 2024) – Rockstar Energy driver Fredric Aasbo returned to the podium this weekend, finishing second after a hard-fought competition at the Utah Motorsports Campus. The result, his third podium finish this season, promotes him to third in the points as the championship heads into its final round in Southern California next month.
The competition came down to a heater of a battle between Aasbo and Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis which saw near-perfect driving from both drivers. Judges had to split hairs to award a winner and Aasbo took second.
“We’re all here to win so sometimes we think of second place as ‘first loser,’ but this one tasted sweet,” said Aasbo. “We put in the work to bounce back from a tough outing here last year and the car setup, the teamwork, and my driving were all better than they have been in a long time. It just keeps getting better and I can’t wait for the season finale next month.”
Aasbo first defeated Nick Noback in the Round of 32 before facing off against Kazuya Taguchi in the Top 16. In the Great 8, he met fellow three-time champ Chris Forsberg for a fan-favorite battle, before eliminating Trent Beecham in the Final 4 to earn his position in the Final.
For his part, teammate Ryan Tuerck finished 9th in the Rain-X GR Toyota Corolla after he advanced through the Top 32 on a bye run and had a split-decision Top 16 knockout against longtime friend and rival Dylan Hughes.
Heading into the final round of the season at Irwindale Speedway October 18 and 19, both Papadakis Racing drivers are in the series’ Top 10. Manufacturer partner Toyota leads the Auto Cup for manufacturers, while Nitto is at the top of the Tire Cup.
Irwindale Speedway is considered the spiritual home of the sport in the United States. The track where the first professional American drifting event took place back in 2003, the event is always a sell-out. The grandstands loom over the track giving it the feel of gladiator’s ring and sweeping banks call for high speeds and full commitment from drivers.
Irish driver James Deane has all but locked up the drivers’ championship but a strong performance from Aasbo at Irwindale could promote him to second, while Tuerck has his eye on a Top 5 season result. Both drivers have won events this season, with Aasbo taking the victory in Atlanta in and Tuerck finishing first last month in Seattle.