The store will not work correctly when cookies are disabled.
We use cookies to make your experience better.To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
2017 Streets of Long Beach Formula Drift Opener with AEM
2017 Streets of Long Beach Formula Drift Opener with AEM
Apr 25, 2017
AEM-sponsored Fredric Aasbo brings out the new Corolla iM at Streets of Long Beach
The first round of the Formula Drift Championship is always a fun one. You have the city of Long Beach, waves, and the only street circuit drifting in the series just before the historic Grand Prix of Long Beach. AEM looked to gain a great start to the season with Fredric Aasbo, Kirstaps Bluss, Matt Field, 2017 rookie Dan Burkett, and 2016 Formula Drift Champion Chris Forsberg, among others, taking it to the streets. Would we see a breakout start?
When it comes to difficult circuits, a street circuit with almost no runoff is one that is a challenge for road racing. Now take that and ramp the idea up because you’re sliding sideways and purposely scraping the wall and your competitor's car and you’ll see why the Streets of Long Beach is a popular event for Formula Drift fans and drivers alike. It’s an event that can give you the biggest victory of your career or the worst start to your Formula Drift season. Unfortunately, FD Rookie and AEM Driver Dan Burkett was hit with the latter. While bringing an impressive eleventh place qualifying position, he would crash during Top 32 practice. His team got the RAD Industries Supra back together and into the show, but Dan eventually lost to fellow AEM Driver Matt Field, who would go on to finish in the Top 16.
Matt Field with the new Falken tires livery on his Nissan 240SX
2016 Formula Drift Champion, Chris Forsberg, qualified in seventh place and didn’t have the greatest start himself. Prior to qualifying, the champ had to replace his twin-turbo VQ V6 for a familiar VK V8 powered 370Z. While it was disappointing to not witness the new VQ do its magic, the familiarity of the VK showed as he was still able to capitalize on a Top 10 qualification. He would go on to the Great 8 where he would be eliminated against the eventual winner.
Fedric Aasbo, the 2015 Formula Drift Champion, brought out the brand-new Toyota Corolla iM to show that weird chassis still work in FD. While a twenty-ninth place qualifying wouldn’t properly show the performance of his chassis, the performance to the Great 8 would. He would face off against fellow AEM Driver, Kristaps Bluss in the Top 16 (who had also qualified higher than Aasbo), Bluss would fall to the FD champ before Aasbo’s Great 8 exit.
Kristaps Bluss under the famous Long Beach bridge before turn 10 at the 2017 Streets of Long Beach
While a win or a top four finish would have been a sweet ending, it wouldn’t be the end for two of our AEM drivers as they would also compete in the non-points Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge during the Long Beach Grand Prix. Remember how drifting a street circuit was hard on its own? Well now add the challenge of a night event to that mix. Instead of qualifying, it would be a random draw for the Top 16 positions. Matt Field would grab the ninth position while Dan Burkett would get tenth. Dan would end up walking with a Top 16 finish, however the night would be owned once again by Matt Field as he took his second Super Drift win in a row. “We went back to back!” said Matt Field, winner of the Motegi Super Drift Challenge. “This event was strong and it feels good to get back into a car that’s in working manner after struggling last weekend, but we’re back.” For night two, Matt would end up in the Top 16 position after taking hard damage during the finals. However, Dan Burkett showed he would be the rookie sensation for 2017 by taking a Top 8 finish in his first ever Super Drift at one of the hardest circuits in the series.
The next event for the Formula Drift Schedule and our AEM drivers is Orlando Speed World Oval in Orlando, Florida. It will also be the first event for the 2017 Formula Drift Pro2 Championship where we’ll see our Pro2 drivers. Check back for more news from AEM and the 2017 Formula Drift Season.
