Fredric Aasbo takes 1st in European Drift tour on KW Suspension ( 09.30.2011 )
STOCKHOLM, Sweden. (September 15, 2011) – The last two weekends have been nothing short of awesome for Team Need for Speed, as drifting legends Fredric Aasbo and Darren McNamara made quite an impact on the European drift scene. Fredric, piloting his Team NFS Japan Auto Supra, and Darren, dropping jaws with the D-Mac86, spent their time off between US Formula Drift rounds to compete in a few prestigious European drift events.
“After I first caught the drifting bug watching Japanese videos, the UK and Irish scene was what really fueled my hunger to start drifting myself,” noted Fredric. “The Prodrift Ireland and various UK competitions and battles have since then been a big inspiration and benchmark for me, and finally being able to get to compete at the very heart of European drifting, has brought it all full circle.”
The Need for Speed teammates first competed September 4, 2011 at Silverstone Circuit for British Drift Championship (BDC) Trax. Qualifying high, with Fredric in 2nd and Darren in 5th, the two drivers would battle their way through the competition only to meet each other in the final four. Fredric would take the win, but D-Mac would finish the event in 4th, and would receive the “Hard-Charger Award”.
“Returning to Silverstone was always on my list of things to do,” says Darren. “My previous performances there gave me a launch path to professional drifting. I remembered every inch of the track like it was the back of my hand, as if I’d never been away. Meeting and competing against the UK guys was a pleasure and is something I look forward to doing more often. Next time we hit Silverstone the D-Mac86 will be fully developed and then sparks will fly!”
Fredric was faced with the #1 qualifier of the weekend and a top UK driver, Phil Morrison, in the finals. The battle was a close one, but Fredric was awarded the win after following with a slightly more accurate line. Team Need for Speed would take the top step upon the coveted podium! Watch this amazing VIDEO by Stephen Brooks from the weekend at Silverstone.
“I couldn’t believe it when we won, I was so happy!” says Fredric. “It felt like an unbelievable victory for my team, sponsors, and friends; and a victory that we had earned! A huge thanks to everyone that put on such an amazing show and made all this happen! Drifting has taken me some amazing places, and Silverstone is definitely one of them.”
One week later, Team Need for Speed drivers slid into Ireland for the Prodrift finale at Mondello Park. Darren and Fredric were not the only Formula Drift stars on-site – current points leader Dai Yoshihara also made the trip out to compete. Fredric was faced with the 2010 Prodrift Champion, James Deane, for his top 8 battle. But a mistake when following would cut this Team NFS driver’s day short, giving Deane the advancement. Fredric would finish the event in 5th place overall.
Darren would meet James Deane in the finals. When following, Darren cut the first turn, slightly damaging the sump of his ’86. The escaping engine oil erupted in a flame and then extinguished itself along with the life of the 13B engine. However, Darren would still finish the event in a very respectable 2nd place.
“The past weekend was one of the best and most enjoyable drift events I have ever been to,” says D-Mac. “The Irish drivers are the best in Europe, no doubt, and they were so determined to not let any visiting drivers steal the show. From the Top 16 to the Finals was spectacular! To end up on the podium was not expected and has to go down to all the hard work put in by the team. Prodrift and Ireland you are amazing and we will be back!”
“I think even more international collaboration between series, drivers and teams is the way to move forward,” says Fredric, “and my gut feeling after the European events we have done this year is that it’s been an absolute honor to meet everybody, and hopefully we’ve been able to help unite the drifting world even more. A big, big thanks goes out to every single one of you that helped make the Team Need for Speed Europe Drift Tour a reality and a success!”
Next up for Team Need for Speed, Fredric and Darren will return to Formula Drift October 7-8 for their final round of the 2011 Championship.
