Formula Drift Round 6 2011: Las Vegas, NV

Formula D Round 6 - After Dark

Formula D’s Vegas event is one of the most unique events on the circuit. Not only is it the only event which is still run on a skidpad (with entry speeds reaching triple digit mph), but the 110F degree daytime temperatures force the sanctioning body to stage the majority of the race at night. The event is dubbed as the “After Dark” showdown, and this year’s event would prove to run well past midnight before Rhys Millen piloted his Hyundai (like Sunday) Genesis to the win. Joining Millen on the podium was runner-up Darren McNamara and third place winner Matt Powers.

Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark
Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark
Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark
Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark
Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark

 

The Vegas event included an inflated number of entries as international drivers Saranon “Non” Pornpatanarak from Thailand and Emmanuel “Demolition” Armandio from Singapore made their Formula D debuts after their success in FD Asia over the past few years. Unfortunately, Non wasn’t able to qualify in the top 32 while Armandio made the top 32 show, but crashed in his battle against Michael Essa. The Falken Tire team also had a few changes as Justin Pawlak’s Ford Mustang suffered an engine failure in the week leading up to the event, so the team made the decision to put Pawlak in the Autosport Dynamics-built 350Z normally piloted by Tyler McQuarrie. McQuarrie was then asked to pilot the former Nissan Silvia S15 driven by James Deane in 2010 and Calvin Wan in 2009, the move done in an effort to provide Pawlak the best chassis to gain points on points-leader Dai Yoshihara. Both Pawlak and Yoshihara lost in the top 16 round, keeping the points chase tight entering the final event of the season.

Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark
Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark

 

Las Vegas is known for the ‘go big or go home’ attitude inside the casinos, but that same attitude was carried over to the Las Vegas motor speedway track. Several drivers hit the tire barrier surrounding the outside wall while attempting to brush the outside clipping point established by the judges, none more dramatically that Kyle Mohan. Mohan’s Nexen Tire Mazdatrix RX8 suffered a brake failure at over 103 mph, stuffing his car hard into the tires and sending Mohan to the hospital to be checked out (thankfully, he was ok). Other drivers who crashed include “Demolition” Armandio in his Achilles Tire 350Z, Jeff Jones in his CX Racing S13, Joon Maeng in his Nitto Tire Mazda RX8, and Jim Guthrie in his CarCrafters RX7.

Formula D Round 6 - After Dark

 

Overall, the points chase has only gotten tighter entering the final round of competition with Dai Yoshihara leading by less than 20 points over Justin Pawlak, and six drivers mathematically in contention to win the championship. Irwindale has become known as the “House of Drift” and will award the eighth Formula D championship later this year in the “Final Fight” event. Discount Tire will also award a $10,000 USD check to the winner of their Triple Crown mini-series, which concludes at Irwindale as well. The event is never short of action or excitement, and we’ll bring you full coverage of the event!

Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark
Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark
Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark
Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark

 

Formula Drift Round 6 - After Dark

 

 

 

Round 6: After Dark Event Results

 

1. Rhys Millen Red Bull / Hankook Hyundai Genesis Coupe            Winner

 

2. Darren McNamara        Falken Tire Saturn Sky                                               Second Place

 

3. Matt Powers                  Need for Speed / Nitto Nissan S14                            Third Place

 

 

Formula D Round 6 - After Dark

 

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2011 Point Standings after 6 Rounds

1. Daijiro Yoshihara          Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13                      470 Points

 

2. Justin Pawlak                Falken Tire Ford Mustang                                          451.25 Points

 

3. Darren McNamara        Falken Tire Saturn Sky                                               435.50 Points

 

4. Chris Forsberg               NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z              429 Points

 

5. Matt Powers                  Need for Speed / Nitto Nissan S14                            418.50 Points

 

6. Ryan Tuerck                  Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Chevrolet Camaro            370 Points

 

7. Conrad Grunewald       Hankook Tire Chevy Camaro                                     357 Points

 

8. Vaughn Gittin               Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang                     349 Points

 

9. Tyler McQuarrie            Falken Tire Nissan 350Z 341.50 Points

 

10. Kyle Mohan                Nexen Tire / Mazdatrix Mazda RX-8                         323 Points

 

11. Rhys Millen                 Red Bull / Hankook Hyundai Genesis Coupe            317 Points

 

12. Fredric Aasbo             Need for Speed / Hankook Scion TC                         304.50 Points

 

13. Toshiki Yoshioka        Retaks Nissan S13                                                      299.75 Points

 

14. Aurimas Bakchis         Bakchis Racing / Forged Racing Nissan 240SX        255 Points

 

15. Ken Gushi                   RS*R / Hankook / Scion Racing TC                          251.75 Points

 

16. Ross Petty                   Garage Boso / Falken Nissan S15                               208.50 Points

 

 

 

 

Tires.com Triple Crown (after 2 of 3 events)

 

1. Daijiro Yoshihara          Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13                      212 Points

 

2. Chris Forsberg               NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z       153 Points

 

3. Darren McNamara        Falken Tire Pontiac Saturn Sky                                  144.50 Points

Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark
Formula D Round 6 - After Dark Formula D Round 6 - After Dark

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