2016 FORMULA DRIFT ROUND 3: ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 10:00AM FD Florida Round 3 June 3-5
We return for a second year to Orlando Speed World. Drivers were met with 90+ degree heat and a weekend forecast of thunderstorms.
As simple as the course looks, there are a lot of intricacies in the course which only the experienced eye can see. Pro drivers seemed to settle quickly into the course without a hitch. Data collected from 2015 looked to have really helped teams figure chassis setup's quickly.
All weather forecasts were threatening with thunderstorms; the dry track meant lots and lots of smoke.
Pro 2 had a few hiccups, but most drivers were able to make a few minor adjustments and pick up the course.
Some were obviously more comfortable than others from the get-go.
Some ominous clouds showed up for qualifying, but it seemed that the rain gods would hold back.
Meeks threw down an impressive run, netting him an 84.
Lawrence in his screaming RB inched out ahead of him with an 85. Landrevillle led the pack with a well deserved 91!
Glad to see our Norcal boys made it into the show as well! Matt with a 75 puts him against Litteral. Again. Glad to see Donovan showing us what his beast is capable of!
Friday Pro Qualifying & Pro 2 Tandems
OSW is the place to be if you're trying to see crazy wall rides.
Charles Ng rocked qualifying in Juha Rintanen's S14. He looked immediately comfortable in the chassis, should he stick with the S14?
Some others weren't so lucky with their wall rides.
Glad to see Nishida back stateside, after missing him in Atlanta. That G is the hotness.
Jeff Jones with the impressive 3 tire qualifier, this wouldn't be the only time he would lose a tire in competition.
Once all was said and done, Gittin threw down the top qualiflying run, showing that Atlanta wasn't a fluke.
With qualifying over, it was onto the Pro2 battles.
Even with a HUGE power deficit, Madrigali redeemed himself with a win again Litteral.
Brockway, after an impressive follow run still has bad luck, blowing out his 3rd gear.
Pro2 Round 3 definitely showed promise, compared to the struggles of Atlanta. The battles were tighter, and the driving was much more aggressive.
In the end, Landreville and Jones came out on top yet again, with our buddy Madrigali in third place!
Saturday The Big Show
Pro 1 battles did not disappoint, with the rookies showing promise as some of the drivers pushed seasoned veterans to OMT's.
A lot of unexpected drivers pushed through to top 16.
The wall claimed it's fair share of cars as well.
Kristaps, always a favorite of ours, really impressed everybody with his style and aggression, making an eventual podium finish!
Odi fought hard, always impressive in the Hyundai.
Moen is looking faster than ever in his E46. Fastkenny22 it is.
In the end, Bluss took himself out with a spin on the infield, and Aasbo took home the win.
It was great seeing Bluss finally getting a podium, we should be seeing him back up there again this season.
/// Words: Alex Hsieh /// Photos: Mike Tseng
