Red Bull Drifting World Championships: Friday Morning Updates

– Marco Santos was the unlucky first driver to hit the wall, and he hit pretty hard. The General Tire team is working hard to get the car fixed and back out on track. The car will be repairable. They are waiting on a new steering rack, then the car should be back to normal.

– As of this morning, the EDC cars (BonBon / Marshall) had not cleared customs. FD and EDC officials are working hard to get the cars released for the event.

– Robbie Bolger could not get his car shipped in time for the event and will be driving Blake Fuller’s Braille Auto 350z.

– Conrad Grunewald is entering at 105mph. That’s after the start line was moved up several feet! This track is huge!

– Justin Pawlak threw his car back to the ProAm days and painted his FC green. The car looks great!

– The Aussie / kiwi / European drivers are definitely down on power compared to the big-budget american cars, but they are figuring out the track and staying tight on the Americans. This is anyone’s event to win!!

– Leighton Fine is driving the Kure Auto s15. Christian Pickering is in his crew.

– Robbie Bolger hit the wall with the Braille Auto 350Z. The car had to be towed off, but looks like it should be fine.

– Tanner Foust ran into the tire barrier at the entry, but the car is repairable.

– Late in the day, we got word that it looks like the EDC cars would get cleared late today in time for tomorrow’s practice and qualifying. Without getting into details, several favors were pulled by top government officials to get these cars cleared. All stops have been pulled out to execute this event, our hats off to all the organizers!! These guys are doing everything they can to put on a good show!

ProAm practice and qualifying happened today, several drivers had some hard hits to the wall. 16 drivers moved on to tomorrow’s competition, and will be starting the day off at 10am with tandem eliminations. We’re working to get the qualifying results and ladder as soon as we can.