The 2010 race season is rapidly approaching and now is the time when we start to find out what some of our favorite teams are doing this year. I just got word from Falken Tire that they’ve bought a brand new 2010 Porsche GT3 RSR as their new track weapon as well as two Porsche Works drivers (Wolf Henzler and Patrick Pilet) to wield it. The two new guys will join returning driver Bryan Sellers to take on the GT field at the ALMS races this year. I can’t wait to see how the team does at Sebring this year! Stay tuned for more updates.
Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEAM FALKEN TIRE PREPARES FOR DEBUT ASSAULT WITH NEW PORSCHE AND TEAM DRIVER FOR SEBRING IN GT2 CLASS
FONTANA, CA (Mar. 3, 2010) - Porsche Works Driver’s Wolf Henzler, Patrick Pilet and returning driver Bryan Sellers will lead the Team Falken Tire’s expanded race program, debuting the tire company’s brand new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the American Le Mans Series GT2 class at Sebring.
This will be the third year for Team Falken in ALMS, and its most aggressive program to date. “We’re using the ALMS to compete against our competitors as well as utilize the highly organized race program as a formal testing ground for continued tire development,” said Mark Richter, Falken Senior Manager of Dealer Marketing. “As we compete throughout the season, we will build upon race and test data learned from our efforts with last year’s Porsche.”
“As we plan for Sebring, it’s great to have Wolf on our team, as well as have Bryan return, along with Rod Everett, our veteran team manager, who has overseen the development of Falken’s new race car, the only Porsche 911 GT3 RSR earmarked for racing delivered to North America this season,” said Falken’s Director of Marketing Andrew Hoit. “We remain convinced that ALMS is the perfect venue to profile Falken’s brand and demonstrate the company’s capabilities to our customers, retailers and media, and that’s why we have made the significant commitment to motorsports.”
The new GT3 RSR was hand-built in Porsche’s Weissach, Germany, Motorsports facility, and then air- freighted on a 747 cargo plane to LAX, close to Falken’s Corporate offices in Fontana. The car is the latest generation water-cooled 4.0-Liter Porsche Flat six boxer engine.
Henzler, a veteran of many ALMS races, and one of only eight Porsche factory drivers, along with Sellers, who drove Falken’s entry in 2009, have tested the new car prior to its debut next week at Sebring.
“We showed steady improvement throughout last year, and anticipate even stronger results in 2010,” Richter added. ”I’m confident Falken, our drivers and our car are ready for the challenge.” - 30 -
Falken Tire Corporation, based in Fontana, California, was introduced to the North American market in 1985. Falken focus on UHP (Ultra High Performance) products and utilizes pro drifting and American LeMans race programs to further develop, improve and market passenger vehicle products for worldwide distribution. For more information, visit Falken Tire’s new website at www.falkentire.com.
We just got the news that hot on the heels of the Bergenholtz announcing their FullTiltPoker.com title sponsorship Falken Tire has announced that they have just signed former Bergenholtz driver Justin Pawlak to drive their 2010 Ford Mustang as Vaughn Gittin Jr. jumps into his 2011 model Mustang. Video and full press release below:
Press Release:
JUSTIN PAWLAK TO DRIFT 2010 FALKEN TIRE
FORD RACING MUSTANG
FONTANA, CA (Feb. 12, 2010) - Fontana, CA. - As the 2010 Formula Drift season gets ready to begin, Falken Tire would like to welcome the newest member to its drift team, Justin Pawlak. Campaigning the newly built 2010 Ford Mustang sporting Falken Tires world-renowned blue and teal livery, Justin looks to march toward the top of Formula Drift in his 3rd full season. ASD in Charlotte, North Carolina is prepping the Mustang for its 2010 debut at Long Beach and will work closely with Justin to get him comfortable in his new ride.
As a full-time driver in the 2008 Formula Drift season, Justin got his first podium at Irwindale finishing 16th overall for the season earning him an invitation to the Drifting World Championship. He followed that up with multiple Top-16’s and a 9th place overall points finish in 2009.
Affectionately known as “JTP”, he’s looking forward to the new season and all that comes with it. “I’m speechless! I’m very excited to join the Falken Tire/Ford Racing team and the Falken family! Falken Tire has been pushing drifting to the next level and I’m very excited to be a part of it.”
A new season brings a new set of challenges as Justin makes the transition from a 3-rotor turbo power plant to 650+ horsepower V8. Despite the fact that he’s drifted rotary-powered Mazdas for over 5 years, JTP fully expects to do things in the Mustang that “have never been seen before.” Justin’s aggressive driving style complimented by the new Falken Azenis RT615K tire should prove to be a lethal combination in his efforts towards the 2010 Formula Drift championship.
The interwebs are ablaze right now with the recent development which was first broke by Wrecked Magazine that Rob Dyrdek and Falken drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. will attempt to 50-50 grind a 2010 Ford Mustang along a giant rail. This stunt is supposed to go down on the season premere of Fantasy Factory on MTV. Stay tuned to Wrecked’s twitter for further updates.
Yes, we’re a bit late on the SEMA stuff but we’ve actually been getting ready to head out there ourselves. We will have full coverage of Thursday and Friday straight from the show floor. In the meantime check out this Ford Flex built by Falken Tire. I’ve always been a fan of the Flex and getting a glimpse at Falken’s take on it makes us want one even more! Check out the press release below.
Press Release:
FALKEN TIRE TEAMS UP WITH FORD AND AUTOFASION TO BUILD AWARD WINNING FORD FLEX
FONTANA, CA (November 4, 2009) - Breaking the mold of cookie-cutter project vehicles on oversized chrome rims, Falken Tire envisioned the perfect blend of traditional “Lowrider” styling and a 2010 platform while utilizing today’s finest full-size CUV, the Ford Flex. Rolling on 22″ Falken S/TZ04 tires and wire spoke Dayton wheels, this project was set to earn the respect of old school purists to new-age tuners.
Exterior modifications include a full PPG Paint color change, subtle silver leaf and pinstripe graphics and GT Factory rear suicide doors. The 3d Carbon aero treatment lays low when the Airrunner suspension drops and a low rumble is delivered through Magnaflow’s SS cat-back exhaust system. Other mods include an ACS sliding rag-top, Alpine audio and video components, Playstation 3, Metra audio wiring and custom printed paisley interior featuring the Falken “F” logo and the distinctive clown logo created by the renowned photographer and director Estevan Oriol.
With the car completed just in time and delivered to Ford’s booth at the SEMA Convention earlier this week, things got even better when the Falken Flex was awarded a Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design.
“Falken Tire would like to thank all of our collaborative partners, Ford Motor Company and especially our builder, Autofashion based in San Diego, CA, for helping make this concept a reality” states Nick Fousekis, Falken’s Sr. Manager of Consumer Marketing. “Expect to see much more of the Falken Tire Ford Flex over the next 12 months through an aggressive promotional program and collaborations with the who’s who in the lowrider and hip-hop scene.”
Falken Tire Corporation,a part of the Sumitomo Rubber Group, is based in Fontana, CA and is a manufacturer of Falken branded High Performance and Ultra High Performance passenger tires, as well as Light Truck, SUV, and Ohtsu branded medium truck tires. For more information, visit Falken Tire’s new website at www.falkentire.com.
I’m a race fan and I’m sure many of you reading this are race fans too, but sometimes I think we forget that to the manufacturers that compete in racing series are often in it to test cool new stuff to sell to us! We all thought it was cool that Falken Tire would be running their RSR Porsche at the Petit Le Mans race but its also pretty cool that they can show just how good their tires are. When the skies opened up and drenched the track during the race, Falken’s Porsche equipped with their Azenis RT wet tires was setting the fastest time in the GT2 class. I realize that sounds a little “advitorial” but hey I like progress.
Press Release:
BRASELTON, GA (Sept. 28, 2009)- On a day of highs and lows, Team Falken’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR had both, as it returned to competition for Petit Le Mans on a rainy day at Road Atlanta.
“Our learning curve has proven to be a bit longer than we anticipated,” said Team Falken Manager Rod Everett.
Among the lows were the challenges placed on the team by the weather. Red flags ruled both practice and the race itself, reducing track time. Fortunately, the team had tested earlier at Road Atlanta, and had determined an optimum set up. To offset the lows of daytime practice, the Porsche performed well during the night session practice, recording faster times than three other GT2 teams. Final qualifying placed Team Falken in 11th with Driver Bryan Sellers behind the wheel.
“Fortunately, we were set with tires, both wet and dry,” added Everett, “and one of the highs of the weekend for Team Falken was setting the quickest time in the rain during the first hour. That told us our Falken Azenis RT race tires performed well on wet surfaces.”
Driver Dominic Cicero worked well with Sellers, as the two ran in the previous ALMS event in which Team Falken competed, and the Porsche advanced to 8th place during the opening laps in the rain. While maintaining their pace when the track dried, Sellers struck the #44 Porsche as he went for a pass and repairs took approximately 40 minutes.
“The accident obviously put us behind, but we were able to get the car back on the track pretty quickly,” Everett noted, “which really showed the strength of our teamwork and how adaptable the Porsche is. We regained positions and were in 11th place in our class when the race was first red flagged due to weather conditions, and ultimately called after 4 hours, 48 minutes of competition.”
“The GT2 class is now the most competitive in ALMS, and we wanted to be able to show the capabilities of Team Falken among these entrants,” said Mark Richter, Senior Manager of Dealer Marketing. “Despite the challenges, including the weather, we felt this was a good experience for Team Falken, and it better prepares us for the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”
Team Falken intends to return to ALMS and the GT2 class and will compete throughout the 2010 season.
The final race in the 2009 American Le Mans Series is the four-hour Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. The green flag is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, October 10. The race will air on SPEED from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 11.
Bill Wood is seriously one of the hardest working guys in Drifting journalism right now. He has already churned out a new video featuring Dai Yoshihara and his thoughts on the debut of his new LS1 V18 powered S13. This car was built for him in a mere 9 days after his Lexus IS350 was unfortunately totalled in Seattle. Check out the full story below.
The general of Drift Alliance and NOS Energy Drink’s super ace Chris Forsberg fought his way to victory this weekend in Seattle. Despite tough track conditions and even tougher competitors the man in orange took down all opponents until he took his place at the top of the podium. This victory further solidifies his #1 points ranking and pushes him that much closer to a possible championship. Rockstar/Hankook Tires Eric O’ Sullivan managed his first podium finish by coming in second and Falken Tire’s Tyler McQuarrie took down fellow Falken teammate Vaughn “I love Ford” Gitten Jr. for the bronze.
Unfortunately our boy Dai Yoshihara suffered a massive accident over the weekend. Luckily he was ok but his Discount Tires/Falken Tire Lexus IS350 is totaled so his crew will have their work cut out for them if they want to get him ready in time for Sonoma. We’ll keep you posted as news develops on that.
Congrats to Chris Forsberg, Eric O’ Sullivan, and Tyler McQuarrie!
By the way you can check out a full gallery of the event and other news over at Wrecked Magazine.
Issue #10 of Wrecked Magazine just dropped today. In this issue they catch up with the new Falken Team and get the story from Tony Angelo on why he hung up his helmet to take point on the judiging stand. Check it out.
There were a lot of expectations going into Round 3 of the 2009 Formula D season. New Jersey’s Wall Speedway is considered to be the “home track” of Drift Alliance members Chris Forsberg and Ryan Tureck (both of which already have one win so far this season) and many expected domination from either or both drivers. Also it was thought that some of the top guys in new cars (Tanner Foust, Rhys Millen, Dai Yoshihara) would have their rides dial’d in by now and ready to rock. However this wasn’t the reality of the situation at all.
In the most shocking news of the round, two-time champ Tanner Foust failed to make the top 32 for the first time ever as he spun during both of his qualifying attempts. Crazy stuff huh?!
If that wasn’t surprising enough hometown hero Ryan Tureck didn’t make it out of the top 32. He was taken out by Joon Maeng AKA “the nicest person in the universe”! Dai Yoshihara also failed to make it past the top 32 as he was defeated by now privateer Taka Aono. Chris Forsberg made it to the Great 8 but fell to Tyler McQuarrie. While all those guys were having trouble Ken Gushi seemed to finally find his groove in his RWD converted Scion tC. Gushi battled all the way to the semi-finals.
The story of the day though was Darren “DMAC” McNamera. He sliced his way through Jeff Jones, Ryuji Miki, and Samuel Hubinette to get to the semi-finals where he ended Ken Gushi’s winning streak.
When the dust settled Formula D saw its first all Falken Tire podium. With DMAC finishing first, Vaughn Gittin Jr finishing second, and Tyler McQuarrie taking third. Its good to see Falken have that kind of success after all the effort they’ve put into their team.
The next round is at Las Vegas in July which should make for an interesting event! Stay tuned to FormulaD.com and other sites like EverythingDrift.com and UrbanRacer.com for updates.
So the first day is wrapped up and I’m already tired! It was pretty eventful with Indy Car practice and qualifiying for two different events (ALMS and Pro Celebrity). I tried my best to keep up with Indy Practice via the MotorworldHype twitter page but my phone got a little dicy. I should do better tomorrow.
In some other Indy news it was announced that Paul Tracy would join the KV Racing team for the Indy 500 with backing from Geico insurance.
Also on the menu today was Toyota Celebrity (AKA demolition derby) qualifying. Its so fun to watch these people pinball around the track! Some of them did pretty well though all things considered. Heck, Farnsworth Bentley qualified 3rd among the celebs despite bouncing off concrete and tires earlier in the day. Pro-skater Danny Way qualified first with Keanu “Neo” Reeves qualifying second. Make sure to stay tuned to the MotorworldHype twitter page tomorrow at 11:40am california time as I’ll be tweeting the race live.
On the American LeMans (ALMS) tip the P2 Mazda Lola coupe was only a few tenths off from the Fernandez racing Acura. It looks like its going to be a tight race between the only two Japanese manufacturers in the Series. The Rahal BMW M3s qualified 4th and 5th respectively in the GT2 class while Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 RSR qualified 8th in GT2 just ahead of Boris Said in the Riley Corvette.
Tomorrow is race day for ALMS and I might be in Mazda’s pit box tweeting the race live. I’ll give you guys a heads up on that tomorrow.
For now check out some of my day 1 pictures. There will be much more tomorrow!
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