Retired Rockstar/AEM 350z Takes 3rd at Formula Drift World Champships

November 17th, 2008, Hawthorne, CA-Tanner Foust and the Rockstar/AEM Nissan 350Z finished 3rd overall at the Formula DRIFT Red Bull Drifting World Championships on November 15-16. This event featured 32 drivers including 17 past and present drifting champions from top drifting organizations across the globe, with drivers from Canada, Netherlands, UK, France, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand lining up against the best U.S. drivers from Formula DRIFT.

FOXY'S RESULTS
"Without the weight of a looming series championship, the World Championships did not carry the same pressure as a Formula DRIFT Round, but I had a strong desire to represent the U.S. well on this worldwide stage," commented Tanner. "I faced both Red Bull cars this weekend. I was able to take the first one out, but unfortunately could not get past Rhys in the Solstice. Still, the highlight for me this weekend was sticking the 3-year-old Z to Rhys's bumper in what was the best chase run I have ever had. Toward the end of the run, I was still amazed at how competitive the Z is. I'll miss it, but I cannot wait to drive the behemoth Scion tC that Steph is building for next season!"

BIG PAPA'S COMMENTS
"Wow, what an incredible event!" exclaimed Steph. "The competition was unbelievable."

Steph continued, "As Tanner mentioned, this is the last event for the Rockstar/AEM 350Z with Papadakis Racing, as we have sold the car and are developing a Scion tC for Formula DRIFT competition in 2009. The new Rockstar/Scion Drift tC will compete in a full schedule next season with Tanner behind the wheel. AEM, as always, will be our major technical partner for this vehicle. We will continue to campaign the Honda S2000 and I will drive it at select events next season, but given the development we have to do on the tC next season, my primary focus will be on making sure that car is competitive for Tanner. We will provide updates throughout the off season on the vehicle's development and who our other technical partners will be next season."

FAST FACTS
The Formula DRIFT Red Bull World Championships inaugural event was held at Terminal Island on a custom designed course with a fast entry and multiple technical transitions...both cars qualified for eliminations in all but two FD series events in 2008...the team has seven top 5 qualifiers (two seeded 1st, three seeded 2nd, one seeded 4th, one unseeded 5th) two victories and a second- and two third-place finishes this season...Tanner is the first driver in FD history to capture back-to-back series championships, and both Rockstar/AEM drivers are ranked in the top 35 series competitors...the Rockstar/AEM 350Z will be on display in the Formula DRIFT booth at the LA Auto Show from November 21-30.

The Rockstar/AEM drift team is sponsored by Toyo Tires, Motegi Racing Wheels, Tokico Gas Shocks, Memphis Car Audio, Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT), Specialty Products Company (SPC), ChargeSpeed and C-West.