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USA

Piotr Wiecek takes the event victory and James Deane is crowned champion

Piotr Wiecek takes the event victory and James Deane is crowned champion

James Deane

James Deane

Larry Chen / formulad.com

James Deane
Alex Heilbrunn
Alex Heilbrunn
Justin Pawlak
Aurimas Bakchis, Alex Heilbrunn
Drift action
Ryan Tuerck, James Deane
Aurimas Bakchis Nissan 240SX
Mike Essa
James Deane, Piotr Wiecek
Alex Heilbrunn
Chris Forsberg
Fredric Aasbo
James Deane
Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Winner James Deane
James Deane

Long Beach, Calif. – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Irwindale Speedway for Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight”.  Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan 240 takes home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinches Rookie of the Year honors, while his teammate James Deane in the Worthouse / Falken Tire Nissan 240 clinches his first Formula DRIFT Championship.

Deane completed an impressive season with four event victories and a third place finish at tonight’s finale to secure the championship.  His sponsor Falken Tire swept the podium and won the Tire Manufacturer championship for their second consecutive time.  Toyota wins their fourth consecutive Manufacturer championship.

“It’s been such an intense weekend at the biggest event I’ve ever competed in with the championship on the line at one of the craziest tracks I’ve ever driven,” said James Deane, 2017 Formula DRIFT champion.  “It is also my birthday today so there was just so many emotions and with so many fans coming in from Ireland and Poland, I just wanted to put on a good show.  It’s just been a dream season.”

The sold out crowd came for one last Formula DRIFT finale at Irwindale Speedway, which is often referred as the birthplace of US drifting.  The Livestream drew over 1 millionviews over the course of the event.

"This was an incredible season that saw the rise of two exceptional international drivers.  It’s a testament of the talent in the Series having the best drifters in the world choosing Formula DRIFT to compete,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT.  “We look forward to our 15th season and have some exciting things planned for next year.”

In the Top 4, Vaughn Gittin in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR faced off against Daijiro Yoshihara in the Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ.  In his chase run, Gittin made contact with the wall giving the win to Yoshihara to move him into the Finals.  While in the Great 8, Deane and Aurimas Bakchis, made contact, which Bakchis was deemed at fault.  Deane failed to get his car fixed in the allotted time giving his Worthouse teammate the win to put him into the Finals.  In the Finals, Yoshihara and Wiecek had a very close battle, but the speed and proximity of Wiecek was too much to overcome.  Wiecek takes his first Formula DRIFT victory and secured his Rookie of the Year honors 

“I feel amazing,” said Piotr Wiecek, winner of Round 8: Title Fight.  “It’s such a great atmosphere and such a great sport.  I’d like to thank my whole crew and teammate James.  What an unbelievable season.”

Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight”

Driver Position

Team

1. Wiecek, Piotr

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

2. Yoshihara, Dai

Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ

3. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

4. Gittin, Vaughn

Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

5. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

6. Pawlak, Justin

Roush Performance Ford Mustang

7. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

8. Heilbrunn, Alec

Monster BMW E46

9. Denofa, Chelsea

BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

10. Forsberg, Chris

NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z

11. Essa, Michael

Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW E46

12. Field, Matt

Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

13. Hohnadell, Alec

Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240

14. Bluss, Kristaps

HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E92

15. Gushi, Ken

GReddy Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota 86

16. Castro, Jhonnattan

Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86

2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship

Driver Position

Team

Points

1. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240

651.00

2. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

538.00

3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

418.00

 2017 Manufacturer Championship Final Standings

Car Manufacturer

Points

1. Toyota

923.00

2. Ford

751.00

3. BMW

367.00

4. Dodge

311.00

4. Nissan

294.00

6. Infiniti

174.00

2017 Tire Championship Final Standings

Tire Manufacturer

Points

1. Falken

1255.00

2. Nexen

979.00

3. Achilles

877.00

4. Nitto

781.00

5. Hankook

705.00

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Edition

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