Formula Drift Round 4 – Wall Speedway, NJ

By Justin Banner

You know, I’m really starting to wonder what it is about Formula Drift, weather, and Wall Speedway. The rain really likes to change up the show or tear it up, it seems. While we were fortunate not to have the issue of hurricane winds tearing up the paddock, rain did cause a ruckus halfway through qualifying. However, unlike NASCAR who would have called off qualifying and gone with points, this is a rain or shine series and drivers have to deal with it. Many were successful in doing so while others really couldn’t find the line they needed to keep on track.

Welcome to the Wall, Chelsea Denofa!

Qualifying in fifth position was “Rowdy” Chelsea Denofa in his BC Racing BMW M3 Sedan with an 88 point run. Chelsea is continuing to show why he was the XDC Champion with big angle and even bigger wings.

He's got his Qualifying Mojo back! Daijiro Yoshihara in 4th Place!

Fourth Place went to 2011 FormulaD Champion, Daijiro Yoshihara in the Discount Tires/Falken Tires Nissan 240SX. He’s making a comeback towards the 2012 championship after a disappointing knockout at Atlanta!

Norwegian Hammer, Fredric Aasbo qualifies 3rd

Third Place went to Fredric Aasbo in the Need for Speed/Hankook Tires Scion tC. While he had a great run at Atlanta, Florida knocked him, along with Need for Speed teammate Matt Powers, out in the Top 32.

Vaughn Gittin, Jr making a comeback for the 2012 Title? First at Palm Beach and Second here seems to make me think that!

Second Place went to Vaughn Gittin, Jr, in his Monster Energy/Falken Tires Ford Mustang RTR for a second round. Ever since Round 2 at Road Atlanta, JR seems to be getting that Mojo back with a First Qualifying spot Great 8 finish at Palm Beach and his second place qualifying position at Road Atlanta. However, has his Top 16 elimination at Round 2 and Top 32 knock out at Round 1 hurt his chances at a championship?

2011 Rookie of the Year showing you why he earned that title! First Place Qualifier Odi Bakchis!

First Place went to Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the M7 Japan/Nexen Tire Nissan 240SX. Odi’s performance in eliminations hasn’t been stellar, but he has been consistent! Could that consistency be the key to a 2012 championship? It’s worked for Chris Forsberg.

While not a great run, it's not a bad run for Daigo Saito considering he's never been to Wall Speedway!

Other notables for Qualifying were Justin Pawlak in the Falken Tire Ford Mustang coming in at 14th while his “rival”, as of Palm Beach, Daigo Saito in the Achilles Tire Lexus SC430 came in 17th. Darren McNamara in the Falken Tires Nissan Silvia is now with SPD Metal Works as of this round. This puts him back into a Right-Hand Drive V8, but with far less power than the original Team Falken Sky or the 350Z. However, Darren with no time to get used to his new team or car was able to pull off a Tenth Place Qualifying run, proving that this Irishman still has a lot left to show!

So much for new car teething problems! Darren McNamara brought the Falken Tire Nissan Silvia into 10th Qualifying position!