Red Bull Drifting World Championship - Pre Season

My good qualifying result was not matched by the rest of the European drivers and the inevitable happened... two Europeans would face each other in the Top 32. I was paired with Bon Bon, a European driver with an 82mph entry speed. I thought to myself, "How would I enter at 20mph less than I'm used to?" We devised a plan to take a little bit of grip out of our setup, and run with some slow guys in practice. It was some of the most challenging tandem I had ever run.

Going into Sunday's competition, I felt as though I couldn't lose to another European. I lined up in the Top 32 against Broke-Smith in positive form; I was to lead first, and held a good one throughout the run. When I followed, by mid corner, I was all over the UK driver, following him throughout the course, and moving on. It was then revealed that we would face Tanner Foust in the Top 16. To be honest, I felt it was a little early to be meeting Tanner, but because of his below-par (for Tanner) Qualifying runs, knew the match up could go either way. I led our first run and my game plan was just to put down a solid run and hope something happened to Tanner that would take the pressure off, but he rarely makes mistakes and kept with me all the way. I was determined not to let him get away on his lead run, and entered Turn One fast, which left me right up on his 350Z's rear bumper; which was great, until I tried to slow down not to hit his and my momentum carried me into a half spin. The dream was over.......

We all agreed that the Red Bull DWC came a year too early for our team and the Sky. 2008 was our development year and 2009 will be a completely different year for the beast, with a whole new suspension layout, aero and a full pre-season test programme. I'd like to thank my fantastic team at Falken Tire and all my sponsors. Save my space in 2009!!

Falken Tire
www.falkentire.com

Saturn
www.saturn.com/sky

Sears
www.sears.com

Vaughn Gittin Jr.
If ever there was a perfect course for JR and his adrenaline-fueled, no-bullshit style of drifting, the one at the Red Bull DWC was it. A long entry leading into a sweeping, triple-digit-speed Turn One is something the East Coast native had been begging for all year. With his `Stang dialed in and First Place finish at Formula D's Finals at Irwindale in short-term memory, would JR pull through in Long Beach?