Formula Drift: International Commuters

Shops, People & Opinion Jacob Leveton l Photography by Jacob Leveton

Let’s face it, we all complain about the commute we make on a daily basis. Whether it’s two miles or 20 miles, it never seems like we live close enough to our jobs. For a few of the drivers in Formula D, their commute to each event makes our worst commute pale by comparison. Here's a nod to some of the drivers that spend more hours on a plane than actually driving the car each time they compete.

Daigo Saito

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Shortest Commute: Long Beach, Calif. ~ 5,500 miles

Longest Commute: West Palm Beach, Fl. ~ 7,500 miles

Earned FD License: 2008 D1 Japan Champion, 2009 D1 USA Champion, 2011 FD Asia Champion

After conquering the D1 series both in the U.S. and Japan, Daigo Saito has made his presence known in Formula D with three podiums in his first three events, including his first win in Palm Beach. Previously, no other rookie had won an event outside of the inaugural season in 2004. With four Top 4 finishes in four attempts, Saito is on a nearly record-breaking pace and currently sits in second overall for the championship.

Emmanual Amandio

Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia

Shortest Commute: Long Beach, Calif. ~ 9,000 miles

Longest Commute: Palm Beach, Fl. ~ 11,000 miles

Earned FD License: 2010 FD Asia 3^rd place overall, 2007 Goodyear Night Drift Champion

As teammate to Saito, Armandio has carried a much lower profile, but is still considered one of the future stars of Formula D. At age 20, Armandio has accomplished much in Asia and is looking to make an impact in the U.S. piloting the former 350Z of Chris Forsberg. He missed both the Florida and New Jersey events due to commitments in Asia. Once the young driver can get used to the judging system used by Formula D, expect him to be a regular in the Top 16.

Darren McNamara

Hometown: Cork, Ireland

Shortest Commute: New Jersey, NJ ~ 3,100 miles

Longest Commute: Long Beach, Calif. ~ ~ 5,200 miles

Earned FD License: Prodrift 2006 Champion

The most experienced commuter of them all, McNamara has been commuting to Formula D from Ireland for his sixth consecutive season and has paved the way for the string of European drivers who have followed him. After winning the 2007 Rookie of the Year award, McNamara has continued his success with several podium finishes and narrowly missing out on the championship last season. This year has been a rough season for D-Mac after totaling his Saturn Sky in Long Beach and then switching to the S15 after a brief stint in the Falken Tire 350Z. Look for D-Mac to get back on the podium now that he is back in a RHD car.

David Briggs

Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario

Shortest Commute: Wall, NJ ~ 350 miles

Longest Commute: Long Beach, Calif. ~ 2,200 miles

Earned FD License: Just Drift ProAm Series

Some people may forget where Canada is, but Briggs was able to earn his license in FD via the same ProAm system that most drivers earn their license through while simultaneously competing in the DMCC series in Canada. Briggs originally started training with Chris Forsberg and Tony Angelo at the Willow Springs track in Southern California in the winter of 2009 while his fellow DMCC competitors were snowed in. Briggs built his 2012 competition car – a 350Z – to the highest standard of drifting with the knowledge he learned as part of the ASD Mob privateer program.

Kenny Moen

Hometown: Oslo, Norway

Shortest Commute: New Jersey, NJ ~ 3,700 miles

Longest Commute: Long Beach, Calif. ~ 5,400 miles

Earned FD License: 2009 Nordic Champion

Although Kenny Moen has yet to break out in Formula D, he’s considered one of the most accomplished drivers in Europe and has routinely competed against several FD alumni. For years, Moen drove against a rich talent pool of European drivers, including the likes of fellow countryman Fredric Aasbo, Irish drivers like Darren McNamara, Eric O’Sullivan and Dean Kearney; and has more tandem rounds under his belt than many current FD drivers. Moen is currently competing in Tanner Foust's championship-winning car.

Fredric Aasbo

Hometown: Ski, Norway

Shortest Commute: New Jersey, NJ ~ 3,700 miles

Longest Commute: Long Beach, Calif. ~ 5,400 miles

Earned FD License: 2007 Powerdrift Norwegian Series Champion, 2007-2008 Nordic Champion

Fredric Aasbo is a veteran of the FD schedule, finishing 12^th overall in 2011 and 13^th overall in 2010 with a partial schedule. Although he splits his time between the U.S. and Norway, he’s been commuting more this season as he prepares his Toyota GT-86 for its debut at the Gatebil festival in Norway. Aasbo could easily be considered a threat to win the championship in coming years.

Jhonnattan Castro

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Shortest Commute: Palm Beach, Fl. ~ 860 miles

Longest Commute: Seattle, Wash. ~ 3,600 miles

Earned FD License: 2009-2011 Dominican Republic Champion

Castro may be the least known of the international drivers, but he's far from inexperienced. A two-time champion in the Dominican Republic, Castro made the jump to the U.S. in an unfamiliar car. The 350Z Castro drives was previously driven by Carl Rydquist in 2009 and is maintained by City Tire online, but it has a different powerplant than the S13.5 he pilots back home. Castro brings a slew of sponsors from his native Dominican Republic and is popular as one of the lone Hispanic drivers in the series.

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