In 2003, a small company had a big dream: to be the premier drifting series in the U.S. That was the beginning of Formula Drift’s journey to the final round at Irwindale in October 2012. They ended their 9th season by selling out Irwindale Speedway or, The House of Drift. NICO was lucky enough to be accepted as a media outlet to cover the event and we’re bringing it to you like you’ve never seen here before!
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- Fredric Aasbo, Ryan Tuerck and Matt Field during the drivers meeting
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- Vaughn Gittin Jr paying close attention to Ryan Sage and the FD team.
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- A look at the practice grid on the outside bank at Irwindale Speedway
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- Ryan Kada (white 350Z) and Luke Lonberger (red Corvette)
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- Fredric Aasbo on the inside bank
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- Tony Angelo had a little too hot of an entry on the inside bank.
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- Luckily, Tony walked away and the Scion Racing Team was able to put the car back together in time to qualify.
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- Tony Brakohiapa (white eBay Mustang) and Matt Field (white S14) during practice.
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- Luke Lonberger getting sideways during practice.
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- Tyler McQuarrie (Mobil1 Camaro) and Ryan Kado (white 350z)
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- Local favorite and SoCal native Matt Powers in his Need for Speed Nissan S14
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- Chris Forsberg (NOS 370z) and Daigo Saito (Achilles Tire Lexus SC)
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- Chris Forsberg showing us why he’s still a contender.
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- Chelsea Denofa making a solo practice run
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- Patrick Mordaunt (white Lexus SC430) and Chelsea Denofa (black Mazda RX-8)
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- Defending Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gitten Jr
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- Vaughn Gittin Jr taking a practice run through the infield section
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- Vaughn Gittin Jr showing why he is the defending 2012 FD champ
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- Chris Forsberg (NOS 370z) and Conrad Gruenwald (Hankook Camaro)
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- Chris and Conrad on the outside bank
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- Daigo Saito in his Achilles Tire sponsored Lexus SC
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- Daigo filling the cockpit with tire smoke in the infield
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- Daigo Saito taking the term “clipping point” a little too serious
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- Ken Gushi (Greddy FR-S) and Toshiki Yoshioka (RSR Nissan Silvia S15)
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- Jeremy Lowe (black Mazda RX-7) and Matt Field (white Nissan S14)
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- Tyler McQuarrie and Joon Maeng doing what they do best
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- Darren McNamera throwing a smoke screen up on Frederic Aasbo
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- The judges wanted proximity and they got it from Ryan Kado (white Nissan 350z) and Ryan Tuerck (Retaks Nissan S13)
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- Matt Powers (black Nissan S14) and Luke Lonberger (red Chevy Corvette) throwing down on the outside bank
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- Fredric Aasbo (white Scion tc) and Robbie Noshida (black Achilles Lexus SC) taking off from the starting line
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- Fredric and Robbie staying close on the infield during the Championship Round
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- Matt Powers doing a brake stand burnout after he spun during his final run
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- Rhys Millen during his last run in his Hyundai Genesis
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- Ryan Tuerck (Retaks Nissan S13) and Justin Pawlik (green Falken Tires Ford Mustang) during their final run
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- Daigo Saito’s team tosses him in the air after he won the 2012 Formula Drift Championsip
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- Daigo Saito on his championship winning run in his Achilles Tire sponsored Lexus SC430.
We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the 2012 Formula Drift Championship: Final Round from Irwindale Speedway! We hope to bring you more of this coverage as the 2013 Formula Drift Championship season approaches!
If you wish to request high resolution copies of the images in this gallery, please contact [email protected].
Also, if you enjoy the Formula Drift Series, check out our Drift Forum dedicated to discussion of sideways Nissan action!