Need for Speed Scion tC Formula DRIFT Team Continues to Improve Through 2011

June 15, 2011 - PRLog -- So far, the 2011 Formula DRIFT season has been a learning experience for Stephan Papadakis and the AEM sponsored Need for Speed Scion tC team. A new driver, and new vehicle platform bring many new challenges, but Stephan and his team are getting more and more dialed in as the season progresses.

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Formula DRIFT Invasion at the Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach, FL, was a new venue for FD, but you wouldn't have been able to tell based on the huge turnout over the weekend. The event was sold out, including the reserve seating, and it was standing room only for over 7,000 fans in attendance. "You could tell it was a real gathering point for auto-enthusiasts of all types," said Aasbo. "It was a really cool first event for Formula DRIFT down in Florida and I have a good feeling about next year."

Team driver and 2010 rookie of the year, Fredric Aasbo, continues to improve and qualified in 6th position in Florida with the new 2011 tC platform. Team owner Stephan Papadakis commented, "The car overall has been very good. We are pleased with the performance of the 4 cylinder and feel there is no disadvantage not using a V8.

Fredric Aasbo throwing up huge smoke and massive angle by the rear clipping point!  
On Thursday, after the first practice, we brought the car in to change the gear ratio to suit the track better. As we were half way finished, Formula D decided to change the track layout and we put the original gears back in. It all worked out in the end since the final track layout was pretty exciting.

However, Fredric lost to Need for Speed teammate Matt Powers in an unfortunate top 32 match-up. "This is Fredric's first full season with our team and in Formula DRIFT," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "We're evolving our teamwork and our strategy, and I think we'll see Fredric continue to mature as a driver this year. We are still working out our best strategy. Fredric's style is big angle and a lot of tire smoke, but at the expense of speed. It looks great, but we have been discussing a compromise to have more speed. Our chemistry is pretty good and we are able to discuss and look at videos, and then adjust car and driving to suit."

Fredric, Stephan, and the rest of the Need for Speed Scion tC team continue to mesh and work out the kinks as the 2011 Formula DRIFT season slides on, and they're a team that should not be ignored. Other drift teams better take notice as FD's next stop in Wall, NJ is just around the corner. The Need for Speed Scion tC team is a definite force to be reckoned with and drift fans won't want to miss the exciting, smoky action in New Jersey or through the rest of the 2011 season!

Courtesy of AEM