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Preview: Formula DRIFT finale at Irwindale

On October 18-19, the 2024 Formula DRIFT season reaches its climax at Irwindale Speedway, and FD president Ryan Sage is expecting a very special finale, particularly from points leader James Deane. Sage declared: “As we stand on the precipice of the …

On October 18-19, the 2024 Formula DRIFT season reaches its climax at Irwindale Speedway, and FD president Ryan Sage is expecting a very special finale, particularly from points leader James Deane.

Sage declared: “As we stand on the precipice of the final event of the season, we’re all struck by the focused determination of James Deane. Not only has he established one of the most dominant seasons in Formula DRIFT’s 21-year history, but he’s poised to capture the championship title in a unique way that is the direct result of the format changes we introduced for Season 21.

“Barring any catastrophic practice incident, the moment James rolls up to the line in the Top 32 Competition heats – having pre-qualified for the event thanks to his fourth place finish at Round 7 in Utah, and with the points tally he has amassed – Deane only needs to demonstrate a standard of participation on his first competitive run to grasp his fourth championship title! Completing the heat will bag him enough points to ensure the title.

Champion elect James Deane flanked by Simen Olsen and Aurimas Bakchis, who is currently Deane’s closest challenger. / Image: Formula DRIFT

“As a series, we plan to celebrate this unbelievable achievement of a record fourth title for the first time in series history, which is once-in-a-season and once-in-a-lifetime. It highlights the skill and commitment James possesses as an athlete. His achievement will surpass every other FD driver. And while others might one day equal or surpass his record, we may never see an athlete like him in competition again, and so the moment he wins becomes extremely important to the history of our sport.”

Sage is also enthused by the venue of the season-closer.

“We’re excited to return to Irwindale Speedway,” he said. “Not only is it the House of DRIFT but one of only a handful of operational tracks in Southern California and the closest to our Los Angeles home. It holds so many special memories for fans, teams and drivers and continues to be an integral part of our series.”

Formula DRIFT has added a new spectator footbridge from the paddock to the reserved trackside grandstands. The series has also created dual burnout boxes, and added a fourth grandstand to the reserved trackside seating options.

Fans wishing to witness the event in person can still purchase tickets from formulad.com, and the action will be shown on the series livestream at youtube.com/Formuladrift and on MAV TV.

2024 FD PRO championship standings after Round 7

1 James Deane 566
2 Aurimas Bakchis 492
3 Fredric Aasbo 436
4 Hiroya Minowa 406
5 Adam LZ 350
6 Matt Field 350
7 Ryan Tuerck 338
8 Simen Olsen 336
9 Dylan Hughes 322
10 Branden Sorensen 322
11 Conor Shanahan 310
12 Chris Forsberg 308
13 Trenton Beechum 294
14 Jeff Jones 294
15 Ken Gushi 294
16 Jonathan Hurst 280

2024 Auto Cup standings

Toyota 872
Ford 692
GM 602
Nissan 490
BMW 434

 2024 Tire Cup standings

Nitto 1102
GT Radial 1038
Kenda 686
Vitour 646
Kumho 462
Nexen 448

 

ROC chief “incredibly excited” for Australian venture

Race of Champions will head to Australia for the first time next year, with the annual all-star event heading to the Accor Stadium in Sydney. It will be the first time the knock-out competition, which has been running since 1988, has taken place in …

Race of Champions will head to Australia for the first time next year, with the annual all-star event heading to the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

It will be the first time the knock-out competition, which has been running since 1988, has taken place in its typical stadium setting since 2019, when Mexico City’s Foro Sol – which also forms part of the city’s Formula 1 and Formula E circuits – hosted the event which was won by local Benito Guerra. It will also be the first running of the event since 2023 after it took a year out this year.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the Race Of Champions to Australia for the first time ever,” said ROC president and co-founder Fredrik Johnsson. “ROC has always been about pushing drivers to their limits in unique conditions.

“Australia has a rich motorsport heritage, and we’re looking forward to celebrating that by pitting some of the best Australian drivers against some of the world’s most legendary racing stars in a spectacular showdown in the middle of Accor Stadium.”

Race of Champions attracts a wide range of drivers across a multitude of motorsport disciplines, with them competing in identical cars along a mirrored track. Jamie Whincup is the first driver to be confirmed for the event, which will take place on March 7-8.

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“I had a great time competing at the Race Of Champions World Finals in Bangkok and Barbados,” said the seven-time Supercars champion. “I’m thrilled to be part of the ROC driver line-up again in 2025, especially with the event being hosted in Sydney.

“Competing alongside some of the best drivers in the world from so many different racing series is always an incredible challenge and representing Australian motorsport on home soil now that ROC comes to Australia for the first time makes it even more special. I can’t wait to get out there and give it everything for the Aussie fans.”

Previous Race of Champions locations include King Faha Sports City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, LoanDepot Park in Miami, London’s Olympic and Wembley Stadiums, Bushy Park in Barbados, Rajamanala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium, and Stade de France in Paris. The 2020 edition of the event – won by Timmy Hansen – was completed virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The previous two editions have been contested on an ice track in Pitea, Sweden. Mattias Ektrom is the defending champion, having defeated Mick Schumacher in 2023’s final to claim a record-equaling fourth title. Norway’s Petter and Oliver Solberg are defending Nations’ Cup winners, having won the last two contests.

Subaru pours motorsport lessons into record-chasing ‘Project Midnight’

Subaru Motorsports USA has unveiled another one-off creation built off the back of its domestic rallying and rallycross success, that it will be taking to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. Dubbed ‘Project Midnight’, the car builds on the …

Subaru Motorsports USA has unveiled another one-off creation built off the back of its domestic rallying and rallycross success, that it will be taking to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.

Dubbed ‘Project Midnight’, the car builds on the team’s previous one-offs, the ‘Airslayer’, and the ‘Family Huckster’, both produced for Hoonigan’s Gymkhana series, and has the sole aim of being the fastest car that Subaru’s motorsport partner Vermont SportsCar has ever produced.

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It’s the first special project car based on the current generation of WRX , which the team already competes with in the American Rally Association series. The all carbon Fiber car weighs in at “well under 2,500 pounds”, which is almost 300 lbs lighter than the comparable Airslayer and 1,000 lighter than the showroom-ready WRX.

To keep the car glued to the track, a bigger version of the rally car’s rear wing is employed, while 18×11 inch OZ Racing wheels wrapped in super-sticky Yokohama slick tires provide the mechanical grip.

Project Midnight draws on lessons learned with its ARA car (back, right), the Airslayer (back, center), and Family Huckster (back, right). Matt Stryker/Subaru Motorsports USA

Power is provided by the latest in a line of turbocharged boxer engines, that can trace their roots back to Subaru’s shelved rallycross program which won four rounds from six of the 2019 Americas Rallycross championship, and took a one-two finish in the inaugural full Nitrocross championship in 2021. The two-liter unit revs to a 9,500 rp redline, pushes out 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque.

“Subaru Motorsports USA and the team at Vermont SportsCar have delivered an absolute beast,” said Subaru factory driver and former-Formula 1 racer Scott Speed. “When driving the car it clearly has rallycross roots, but the wider tires, track, and geometry give it a very unique feel and incredible grip. The ultimate driving machine; half RX, half sports car – a true joy to drive.”

The car will debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the hands of Speed, who will be taking to the hillclimb alongside teammate Travis Pastrana who returns to the event for the fourth consecutive year, third behind the wheel of the Family Huckster. Pastrana finished second in the timed shootout last year with the 1983 GL Wagon-inspired Huckster, being beaten only by Marvin Kirchhofer in the track-ready McLaren Solus GT, matching the Airslayer’s best from 2021 when it just missed out of the top spot to Rob Bell in a McLaren 720S GT3X.

But Goodwood will be just the first of many outings for Project Midnight, with Subaru confirming that Speed and the Subaru Motorsports USA team will continue to develop the car to “take on new challenges and set new records”.

A world first: Premium book bound in autoclaved carbon fiber used in the R35 GT-R

Culture Entertainment Co. Ltd., Neko Publishing Division, established in 1976, proudly unveils a groundbreaking publication by Kazutoshi Mizuno, the legendary automotive engineer celebrated as “Mr. GT-R” and “Father of the GT-R.” This premium volume …

Culture Entertainment Co. Ltd., Neko Publishing Division, established
in 1976, proudly unveils a groundbreaking publication by Kazutoshi Mizuno, the legendary automotive engineer celebrated as “Mr. GT-R” and “Father of the GT-R.”

This premium volume titled, The GT-R: My Philosophy and My Original Technologies offers an insider’s look into the creation of the R35 GT-R, revealing Mizuno’s visionary approach and engineering brilliance in crafting the ultimate supercar.

Readers will journey through the GT-R’s exceptional user experience, its unmatched ability to perform at 300km/h under everyday conditions, and the cutting-edge technologies that drive its unparalleled performance.

The book highlights the remarkable achievement of launching a world-class supercar without any advertising, showcasing Mizuno’s dual expertise as both chief engineer and project manager. Dive deep into the unique innovations that distinguish the R35 GT-R from its rivals, all told through the eyes of the mastermind himself.

Book Features

● Limited Edition: Only 3,500 copies of this premium first edition will be sold worldwide.

● Unique Serial Numbers: Each book will have a unique serial number inscribed inside.

● Handwritten Signature: Personally signed by Kazutoshi Mizuno.

● Premium Materials: The cover and spine are crafted from carbon fiber panels originally designed for the R35 GT-R’s center console.

● Special Packaging: Comes in a hard-paper case for added protection and presentation.

The book will be available for order in the USA, Europe, and other countries starting in May 2024, with deliveries expected by December 2024. Priced at $2,000, this collector’s item is expected to be highly sought after by GT-R enthusiasts and automotive aficionados alike.

The GT-R: My Philosophy and My Original Technologies includes untold stories behind the development of the R35 GT-R. Mizuno shares his philosophy of Monozukuri (the art of craftsmanship), insights on customer perspectives, and the hidden technological marvels beneath the car’s surface. This book provides a unique look into why the R35 GT-R, despite having less horsepower and more weight than some competitors, excels in performance and safety.

Mizuno’s decision to share these insights now, over 15 years after the R35 GT-R’s market debut, marks a significant moment for automotive history. His book is poised to become a bible for GT-R users, enthusiasts, and engineers, filled with detailed accounts of the development process and the innovative technologies that make the GT-R a multi-performance supercar.

The carbon fiber panels for the book’s cover are manufactured by Challenge Co., Ltd., the same company that produces carbon fiber components for the R35 GT-R. The panels are baked at high pressure in an autoclave oven, ensuring a high-quality finish identical to the GT-R’s rear wing.

Kazutoshi Mizuno has a storied career, having overseen the development of
numerous high-performance vehicles, including the Skyline R34 GT-R, Infiniti G35, and 350Z. As the chief engineer and global project manager for the R35 GT-R, Mizuno brought his unique vision and advanced technologies to life, creating a car that has captivated the automotive world for over a decade.

Simpson Cup returns to Royal Lytham as injured veterans from the United States, Great Britain take centerstage

One of the best events in golf returns next week across the pond.

As golf continues to grow, inclusion has become the No. 1 mission across the sport — for good reason.

Take the U.S. Adaptive Open, for example. For the last two years, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina — one of golf’s premier destinations — has hosted a field of impaired golfers to compete in a 54-hole stroke-play event. It’s been a tremendous success since its inception and has brought together folks who have been able to find an outlet through the game. Truly an incredible week.

The Simpson Cup is another example of using golf for the better.

Created in 2012, the first Simpson Cup was played at TPC Sawgrass — home of the PGA Tour’s Players Championship — and has since visited venues like Congressional Country Club — a six-time major championship host — Royal St. George’s — 15-time host of the Open, most recently in 2021 — Royal Birkdale — 10-time host of the Open, most recently in 2017 — and St. Andrews, the home of golf.

The Simpson Cup pits two 13-man teams made up of injured veterans from the United States and Great Britain against each other in a Ryder Cup-style showdown. And thanks to the handicap system, any skill level is welcome.

All participants are members of the On Course Foundation, an organization dedicated to bringing injured veterans into golf to rebuild confidence and regain a sense of purpose after the effects of service.

This year, the Simpson Cup returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes for the second time (2013).

The tournament gets underway Sept. 26 with six fourball matches and concludes Sept. 27 with 13 singles matches.

After Great Britain’s 13½-5½ victory at Baltusrol Golf Club’s Upper Course last year, the overall record is now tied at 5-5.

Donations to the On Course Foundation and the Simpson Cup can be made here.

The Golfweek/Midwestern Golf Association National State Team Invitational

Golfweek and the Midwestern Golf Association partner for the 15th annual National State Team Invitational to be held August 4-7, 2022 at Caledonia and True Blue Golf Club on Pawleys Island, SC. The National State Team Invitational is a tournament …

Golfweek and the Midwestern Golf Association partner for the 15th annual National State Team Invitational to be held August 4-7, 2022 at Caledonia and True Blue Golf Club on Pawleys Island, SC. The National State Team Invitational is a tournament within a tournament where individual and team champions will be crowned in both the Mid-Amateur and Senior divisions.

‘The Match II’ Live Blog

Tiger and Peyton Vs Phil and Tom. Let’s do this!

Tiger and Peyton vs. Phil and Tom. Let’s get ready to rumble!

Tiger lost The Match, played at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, the day after Thanksgiving in 2018 in extra holes and Phil has been bragging about owning the winner’s belt ever since. This time, Tiger has home-course advantage at Medalist GC in Hobe Sound, Florida, where he is a member and hopes to even the score in The Match II: Champions For Charity.

Brady, winner of a record six Super Bowl titles as a New England Patriot and a newly-minted member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Manning, the retired QB of the Indianapolis Colts and later the Denver Broncos, have had their share of tussles on the gridiron. Today, we get to see what they’ve got on the golf course.

Here are some photos of the players as they arrived on a gloomy Sunday for golf in South Florida, where the forecast is a bit ominous.

 

Tiger Woods arrives to The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match)
Former NFL QB Peyton Manning arrives for The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match)

Phil says he’ll be “hitting bombs” and “hellacious seeds” today. Watch the video below for the full explanation on the difference.