FORMULA DRIFT: ROUND 5 EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY

We returned to the Formula Drift circuit to follow our friend to the team, Faruk Kugay.  Here we join him at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington for Round 5 of Formula Drift and Round 2 of Pro 2. Like Orlando Speedworld, Evergreen Speedway is a banked oval track with a much faster entry leading to a slower technical infield. 

The extra speed of the track was not an issue with the new tune and added Nitrous Express system installed by Limitless Motorsports. Practice went well without any problems and the Limitless Motorsports crew was able to dial-in the car before qualifying. 

With a 32 point deficit to Dave Briggs in third place, Faruk needed to have a solid weekend to have a chance at the Formula Drift Pro license. Faruk's first qualifying run immediately put him at the fourth place position, securing him solid qualifying points and a place in the Top 16 battle bracket!

The first battle with Fello Ambivero resulted in a by-run. Ambivero was not able to get his BMW E36 to the starting line due to technical issues. This pit Kugay against Ryan Litteral in the Top 8 Battles.

Faruk started off the battle with a restart by crossing the divider line. Litteral put up a clean fight with his RB-powered S14. Due to a mistake in the Power Alley, Litteral lost the battle. 

Moving into the Top 4, Faruk needed to defeat series leader Alex Heilbrun. The LS-powered E46 of Heilbrun ran away completely from Faruk and all he could do is play catch up. The judges awarded the win to Heilbrun. The team sat back and watched the rest of the Top 4 unfold.

Taylor Hull moved up to Top 4, defeating Andrew Gray, and was facing James Evans.

At this moment the team knew that if Evans were to defeat Hull, Faruk would advance to the third place. Evans secured the victory and the team secured their first podium of the season!

The Limitless Motorsports team took all of their experience from Orlando Speedworld and produced a worthy third place position. Luck played a role in the final battles, but the team performed perfectly under pressure. Leading up to Texas, the team needs to fine tune the car for more speed. Texas Motor Speedway is a power course; both drivers and vehicles need to be fast.

Evergreen Speedway: A Weekend of Crashes.

Faruk Kugay and the Limitless Motorsports crew took home a few minor scratches and bends from the weekend, but other drivers were not so lucky.

Chris Jeanneret had a few serious crashes through the weekend. His team was able to turn the car around in no-time.

Juha Rintannen was able to walk away from this crash, make repairs, and qualify in 12th.

Of course, we saw the return of the multiple one-more-time battles. The crowd absolutely loved these two showmen. The crowds loved the smokey high-angle runs with incredible proximity.

We will be back with Faruk Kugay and the Limitless Motorsports crew at Texas Motor Speedway for Round 6 of the Pro Series and Round 3 of Pro 2. More photos in the Gallery.

///   Mike Tseng  --  MINT Drift