[COVERAGE] FormulaDRIFT: New Jersey The Gauntlet

Formula Drift returns to Englishtown! But it’s no where near how you remember it. A few years back, the drag strip was no longer allowed to be used. Raceway Park does have a road course, which is used for many drift events, but FormulaD and Raceway park built it’s first dedicated drift track! It combines the track layout of Wall Township Raceway, but without the high banks. The figure eight now crisscrosses over what is left of the drag strip and drivers have to adjust to the different pavement changes. This would of been the second year, but due to Covid and NJ restrictions, the event had to move to 2021.
Arriving at 9am, the temp was already above 80 and sunny! It was going to be a scorcher and a long day of drifting! The paddock stretched all the way around the track with a car show taking up the front entrance. Round 2 of ProSpec battle was the first part of the day. They put on some epic battles with a dramatic ending for first and 2nd. Dmitriy Brutskiy taking 1st, Austin Matta taking 2nd after slamming into the final wall and his wheel getting ripped off! Nick Noback finish up 3rd in his E46 M3. With a short break between competitions, the Pro was up as the sun started to set. As we finish the driver introductions, national anthem and swore in cadets into Space Force(congrats to them!), no longer than 2 minutes after, light drizzle falls from the sky.
The Pro are about to start with a damp track that was dry all day. We all hoped that it was going to be short lived, the rain continued until the top 6 and it only started to dry out on the last battle. We all hoped for many close battles, but with the damp to soaked track, it was all about who could keep up the speed, angle, and without spinning out. The smoke was absent until the last battle, but sadly Christ Forsbergs NOS Energy – GT Radial Nissan 370Z was littered with issues this weekend. Replaced engine before qualifying and during the final ends up with electrical problems. It was amazing he made it, but still comes away with good points to keep the championship alive . Matt Field takes the win which makes is first FD Pro win in the Falken Tire – Drift Cave Chevrolet Corvette! With this win and points previous points leader finishing 9th, Field now leads the championship. Fredric Aasbo in his Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota GR Supra finishes the podium in 3rd. Looking forward to exciting next round in Erie, PA! See you there!

Date: June 18-19, 2021
Location: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ
By: Erik
Gallery – Click Here

Tags: drifting, englishtown, formula drift, FormulaD, Old Bridge, Raceway, racing
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