Team Falken’s Daijiro Yoshihara scored his second victory in a row at Round 3 of the Formula Drift Championship in New Jersey. Dubbed “The Gauntlet”, Wall Speedway is known for its unforgiving course layout and harsh banked turn to in-field transition. For Falken, although a repeat of 2009’s Wall podium sweep was just narrowly missed, a Déjà Vu top 2 finish from this year’s Round 2 at Road Atlanta set Yoshihara and Vaughn Gittin Jr. once again on top of the podium with very close one, two finish. Vaughn in the ASD built Monster Energy / Falken Tire 2011 Ford Mustang continues to lead the series followed by Dai in his Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan Silvia S13 built by SPD Metalworks.
Darren “D-Mac” McNamara fought hard for third position but that achievement was cut short by two time Formula D Champion, Tanner Foust. The only feat more astonishing than the battle with Foust was the fact that the vehicle even made it to the starting line! During Top 4 competition running against Yoshihara, Darren drifted off line and made contact with the immoveable guardrail causing damage that required major suspension component replacement both front and rear. “I’ve never seen this team work harder” said Jonathon Bradford, Falken’s Drift Team Supervisor. “Every hand available was frantically helping to get the Sky back on track. It was a team effort like I’ve never seen.”
Other notable accomplishments include Justin Pawlak’s 4th place qualifying and Top 8 finish, Ross Petty’s 6th place qualifying and Top 16 finish and Tyler McQuarrie’s door-to-door battle with current championship points leader and Falken team mate, Vaughn Gittin Jr. during the Top 16 rounds.
“It’s always hard when two of our team members are going head to head but we always tell our drivers, may the best man win” declared Andrew Hoit, Falken’s Director of Marketing.
So far, Team Falken has claimed back-to-back first and second place finishes and five podiums in three events, including all three wins.
“This season is still far from over, but our team’s determination is at an all time high” said Nick Fousekis, Falken’s Sr. Consumer Marketing Manager. “Couple focus and perseverance with world-class partners/supporters and a product like Falken Tire, and you get a winning combination” Fousekis added.
The Azenis RT-615K clad Falken Team continues on to Round 4 of the championship in Monroe, WA July 9-10 at Evergreen Speedway.
Additionally, Falken played host to 175 dealer guests who participated in the company’s hospitality, as Team Falken’s aggressive marketing program, hospitality rig and factory support trailer were in full use during the two-day event.
