AEM-Sponsored Kristaps Bluss is Ready for the 2016 Formula Drift Season

Powered by a Mast Motorsports RHS466 small block V8, the HGK Racing E46 M3 has more than enough power to light up the Achilles Radial tires.

Drifting is quite possibly the fastest-growing motorsport in the world today. All across the globe, on every continent, tires are being slain and smoke clouds are billowing from grassroots gatherings to professional competitions. It began on the mountain roads of Japan, turned into a professional series with D1, then landed on the shores of the States with Formula Drift. Over the last 10+ years, drifting grew and grew in the U.S. including vehicle and driver progression to levels unheard of. This excitement and drama then took off globally and now there are amateur and professional drifting sanctions in America, Asia, Europe, and beyond.

Offseason improvements included a custom carbon fiber air cleaner base plate that helps to lower the AEM Dryflow Sprint Car Airbox for better visibility out of the windshield.

In 2015, Latvian drifter Kristaps Bluss made the journey across the pond and landed with quite the splash in the highly competitive Formula Drift Pro circuit. He has an aggressive and confident driving style that gave some of the series top competitors a run for their money. Though he only made it passed the top 32 once in the 7 rounds of competition, when Kristaps and his E46 M3 were dialed in, everyone noticed.

Kristaps was the 2010 champion of the Eastern European Drift Championship (EEDC), 2011 champion of the FXOpen Challenge, and took 2nd place in the 2013 EEDC season.

The HGK Racing E46 M3 is, suffice it to say, a beast. The widebody kit made from OCT Composites and sharp red-and-white livery wrapped chassis, which spares no expense in terms of development. This car is top notch. A naturally aspirated Mast Motorsports RHS466 V8 menacingly pokes its AEM air cleaner through the hood, warning every driver on the field of the power lurking beneath.

Bluss’ E46 M3 is equipped with an OCT Composites widebody kit and killer red and white livery. Sure to stand out during the 2016 Formula Drift season.

Offseason improvements included a new custom carbon fiber air cleaner base plate that supports the massive AEM Dryflow Sprint Car Airbox and Pre-Filter Wrap. The new base plate lowers the filter height for better visibility and improved airflow into the engine. The car also uses a new Samsonas Motorsports Transmissions 5-speed sequential gearbox for clutchless shifts between gears. Getting out of the hole quickly is vital in Formula Drift, and this new transmission should provide an advantage over the 4-speed dog boxes that are common across most of the Pro field.

The car can only get you so far, but Kristaps isn’t just some rookie with a competitive car and a lot of luck. He has a track record of success and victories in Europe over the last half decade. Kristaps was the 2010 champion of the Eastern European Drift Championship (EEDC), 2011 champion of the FXOpen Challenge, and took 2nd place in the 2013 EEDC season.

Look for Bluss and the HGK team to make a big impact in 2016. We’ve seen champions from America, Asia, and Europe all atop the Formula Drift podium in recent years. Drifting is truly a worldwide sport and fans can expect the competition to be even more exciting as the best drivers from across the globe converge for tire slaying fun.