Compiled by SEMA Editors
 James Deane (center) was named the 2019 Formula DRIFT Black Magic PRO champion. |
2019 Formula DRIFT Awards Ceremony Recognizes the Stars of the Series
As the traditional end to the Formula DRIFT season, the series organizers held their annual awards ceremony the evening after the finale at Irwindale Speedway. It gives drivers and teams a chance to honor the top drivers, rookies, fan favorites and the people who play important roles behind the scenes in both the Formula DRIFT PRO and PRO2 categories.
The following are the awards for outstanding performances:
2019 Formula DRIFT PRO Category
2019 Formula DRIFT Black Magic PRO Championship
1. James Deane
2. Fredric Aasbo
3. Odi Bakchis
Auto Manufacturers’ Cup: Toyota
Tire Manufacturers’ Cup: Falken
Fan Favorite Driver: Matt Field
Fan Favorite Car: Monster Energy/Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D driven by Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Top Qualifier of the Year: James Deane with an average qualifying position of 3.13
Rookie of the Year: Travis Reeder
Most Improved Driver: Ryan Litteral
Comeback of the Year: Ryan Tuerck
Best Drifting Style: Chelsea Denofa
Hardest Charger: Piotr Wiecek
Spirit of Drifting: Pat Goodin
Perfect Event Award: Fredric Aasbo at FD Atlanta, Piotr Wiecek at FD Seattle and James Deane at FD St. Louis
Spotter of the Year: Renee Burkett from RAD Industries
Crew Member of the Year: Jimmie Cadwell from Chris Forsberg Racing
Crew Chief of the Year: Tony Clark from RTR
Team Manager of the Year: Stephan Papadakis from Papadakis Racing
2019 Formula DRIFT PRO2 Category Awards
2019 Formula DRIFT Link ECU PRO2 Championship
1. Trenton Beechum
2. Alec Robbins
3. Garrett Denton
Fan Favorite Driver: Adam LZ
Fan Favorite Car: Dustin Miles Garage/Moon Power/Rays/Achilles Tire Nissan 240SX S13 driven by Dustin Miles
Top Qualifier of the Year: Dalton Gernhart
Rookie of the Year: Rome Charpentier finished fifth overall in PRO2
Most Improved of the Year: Trent Beechum
Comeback of the Year: Josh Robinson
The schedule for the 2020 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship and the Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro 2 Championship will be announced at the 2019 SEMA Show and posted to www.formulad.com.
 Bilstein title-sponsor athlete Ryan Beat locked down his second straight Pro Lite points championship, and Jerett Brooks paced the field in Pro2. |
Bilstein Racers Secure 2019 LOORRS Championships
The final rounds of the 2019 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) took place at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, and when the final checkered flag fell on another season, Bilstein-sponsored racers walked away with multiple wins and two championship titles. The two races of the weekend were comprised of Round Nine and the LOORRS Challenge Cup—a special set of heat races with extra prize money at stake. When all was said and done, Bilstein title-sponsor athlete Ryan Beat locked down his second straight Pro Lite points championship, and Jerett Brooks paced the field in Pro2. Fellow Bilstein Pro Lite racer Mickey Thomas won Round Nine and finished second in the season points standings. In the LOORRS Challenge Cup, Bilstein racer Cole Mamer earned the victory. Meanwhile, multi-time short course champion and Bilstein Pro2 racer Brooks took Round Nine win and ultimately bump into the championship points lead.
27 Teams to Compete in Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championship at SEMA Show
A total of 41 teams qualified for the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Dual National Championship. Twenty-seven teams will travel to Las Vegas to compete at the 2019 SEMA Show, and only four of them will qualify for the elite eight and go on to compete at the 2019 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. View the HROT SEMA Show schedule.
For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.