GT Radial had another great performance in Formula DRIFT on June 24 in New Jersey with 2nd and 3rd place finishes, the second time this season that two GT Radial drivers stood on the podium together.
The success at the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey marked four podium finishes for GT Radial in four Formula DRIFT events in 2023. GT Radial driver Matt Field has taken the lead in the Championship Points Race, and GT Radial has five drivers in the top 10 at the midway point of the season. The next race will be July 15 in St. Louis, MO.
In New Jersey, second place Simen Olsen on GT Radial Champiro SX2 RS tires almost claimed his maiden victory in a final that went to One More Time as the judges struggled to separate the driving prowess of Adam LZ and Olsen. Having switched from a Toyota to drive the Feal Suspension Nissan S14.9 this season, Olsen has done a remarkable job of adapting to the new car. He jumped from 14th to fifth in the title race.
By finishing third in New Jersey, Field gave his championship aspirations a significant boost as his rivals were eliminated prematurely, returning Field to the FD PRO Championship lead with a 41-point cushion.
“We’re thrilled with four consecutive podium finishes and look forward to competing at the highest levels of professional drift racing in the second half of the season,” said GT Radial Motorsports Manager Mike Meeiem. “We want to thank all of the GT Radial teams for their hard work and dedication, as well as our team members at the Giti manufacturing facility in South Carolina for producing such an outstanding tire in the Champiro SX2 RS.”
In previous Formula DRIFT competitions this year, GT Radial driver Kazuya Taguchi celebrated a third-place finish on the podium on May 27 at Orlando Speed World in Round 3. Two GT Radial drivers stood on the podium at the Formula DRIFT event in Atlanta on May 13. Chris Forsberg, one of the most accomplished drivers in Formula DRIFT history, powered his NOS Energy Drink / GT Radial Nissan Z to a 2nd place finish, while Aurimas Bakchis captured third in his Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S15. Field was awarded a first-place finish in Round 1 on the Streets of Long Beach on April 8.
