2014 Formula Drift Finals at Irwindale Speedway

2014 formula drift finals

The 11th year for Formula Drift wrapped on October 11, 2014 at Irwindale Speedway. The skies were clear in the early afternoon but soon became cloudy as the tire slaying began.

The 2014 season crowned a new champion. Here's a hint: He drives a Nissan 370Z.

Here, you see the second-place finisher in points and second-place finisher at round 7, Fredric Aasbo in his Scion tC.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

In the practice round, it was Scion FR-S versus FR-S. Ken Gushi with Greddy-powered 1000 HP was leading Ryan Tuerck with a mere 850 HP. For a car that only has a curb weight of 2,758 lbs. from the factory, that kind of powerplant really makes these Scions move.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

Forrest Wang in his Nissan S14 gets to stroll on by during practice as Matt Coffman in his Nissan S13 makes contact with the wall and can't finish the run.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

Darren McNamara in his Falken Tire Nissan S13 spun out during the top 32. The added bonus of getting the fireball from his exhaust was a nice touch. It was unclear whether Robbie Nishida in his Lexus SC300 gave him a little bump or if DMAC over rotated on the transition.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

The start line is where it all begins. Here, Ryan Kado in the Nissan 350Z makes a run with Kyle Mohan in the Mazda RX-8. Kyle advances to Top 16.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

In the paddock area, I caught a glimpse of the extreme wheel angle on Juha Rintanen's S14. Just imagine, you could make an easy U-turn in your neighborhood if you had this kind of knuckle on your ride.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

Aurimas Bakchis in his Nissan 240SX was looking smooth coming out of the last turn on the course at Irwindale. Bakchis did make the Top 16, but was beat by Conrad Grunewald.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

Another angle of Matt Coffman's S13 after contact with the wall. Drifting can be a costly sport.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

It was very nice of these two fellow photogs to step aside so I could get this clear shot of Joon Maeng's Nissan S13 sliding past the stands.

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

During practice, crowd favorite Vaughn Gittin Jr. in his Ford Mustang RTR slides by media on the last turn with Ken Gushi in the Scion FR-S. 

2014 Formula Drift Finals, The Final Fight

Fredric Aasbo in his Scion tC nails the 4th clipping point.