Ola Jæger is the latest addition to the Norwegian plan of conquering Formula D. Long-time friend of Fredric Aasbo will compete in PRO2 series in Fredric’s old FD prepped Toyota Supra. I had a chance to discuss his preparations, we talked about Gatebil and his goals for the upcoming season.

– Where are you from?

– I am from Norway

– What are you working on at the moment?

– At daytime I work as a salesman for Volvo & Kia cars at a dealer and after work I plan my upcoming drifting season, working with sponsors and so on.

– Who’s helping you? Let’s say who’s on your team?

– I drive for team Japanauto and I’m working with RAD-Industries (Dan Burkett) with transport and workshop in the US. During race days my team is 4 people: the owner of Japanauto Tom Ole Svendsen (spotter), Joachim Waagaard from Joachim Waagaard Motorsports (Mechanic), Magnus Aarflot form ES-Tuining Oestfold (Mechanic) and my crew chief Thomas Arntsen.

– Tell me about Formula D, what was the decision maker?

– I wanted to go to Formula Drift for a long time now, I think the last 5 years that has been my plan in the back of my head, and you can say my main plan with all that I`ve done in drifting. Of course, when Fredric Aasbo and Kenneth Moen went there, my goal of competing in FD became a lot stronger, but I felt that I needed a lot of experience before taking the big step, that`s why I have been waiting until this year.

– Where do you set your expectations? Will a podium be your goal for the first season or you’re drifting for more?

– My goal is to qualify for the PRO championship next year and learn all the tracks. When it comes to my season goal, i’m going for as many podiums as possible.

– You will do the full Pro 2 season?

– I will try my best to get my budget to do all 4 rounds this year. That`s my plan!

– What will you drive?

– I will drive Fredric Aasbo`s old Team Japanauto Supra this season. It has a 2JZ VVTI engine with 550whp and 800nm. We run our well known Japanauto setup on the suspension with K&W Coilovers at the moment. Fredric used this car during 2008-2010 period and it`s been stored in the US since then. We are working together with Dan Burkett (RAD-Industries) who is driving a Supra in PRO this year.

How are you preparing yourself for the new challenge?

– I’m really looking forward to get started on the season, and I know the competition will be very strong. I’m trying to prepare myself and the team as good as I can, watching livestream`s from last year’s races, doing physical and mental training, and trying to get as much seat time as possible before we head out to the first race in Orlando.

– Did you get some good advice from Aasbo or some other pros? I understand that judging is quite different from what you would get in Europe, many bring it up as a top concern for FD rookies.

– I got some good advice from Aasbo and Moen on my way and I’m really grateful that they share a little information so I’m more prepared for what to come. I’m sure I need a little time to get used to the driving style and get used to the tracks. I’m trying to study races from last year as good as I can to see what the judging want and how decisions were made.

– Which is your highlight of 2016?

– That must be winning the Scandinavian Powerdrift series and Gatebil Super 3 with Fredric Aasbo and Tor-Anders Ringnes (team Toyota).

– Describe Gatebil

– Gatebil to me is the coolest place to be as a drifter. It`s the place to be if you’re a driver that will grow both on and outside the track. Gatebil gives me that butterfly in my stomach feeling every year. I think the best thing with Gatebil is that they are always taking things to the next level both for drivers and spectators. It`s cool that we have a car meet 40 minutes from my home base.

– What’s your relationship with Fredric Aasbo? I noticed, it’s you who drives the GT86 at Gatebil, when Fredric isn’t around.

– I have known Fredric for a long time now and I feel he is a good friend. We drove at the same Go-kart track a lot when we were kids back in the early 2000`s. He is probably the best ambassador we have for Drifting. Yes, I drove his car when he was somewhere else on a drifting competition. He`s giving me good advice on my way up in the sport. He is a good guy with passion for the sport and for helping others!

– Did you do any racing before pursuing drift?

– I started my career in Go-kart back in 1999, and was competing for 7 years. I also tried one race in formula Ford.

My achievements:

-Norwegian Champion 2004

-Nordic Champion 2004

-Driver of the year 2004

-30+ Podiums

– Anything else you would like to share?

– I’m very happy for the huge support I get from anyone who follows what I do this year and I would not gotten anywhere if all of you out there had not believed in me and my team, so thank you so much for believing in us.

You can follow Ola on:

His Facebook

His Instagram