Team Need For Speed Remains 5th Place Overall After Formula Drift Round Four

BALTIMORE, Md. (June 20, 2011) – Over the weekend, Team Need for Speed made their way to Wall Speedway for Round Four “The Gauntlet” of Formula Drift. Drivers Matt Powers and Fredric Aasbo were looking to push themselves and their vehicles to the limits on this exciting East Coast track. The course consisted of a quick entry into a 30 degree angled bank, a transition off the bank into the first clipping point, and then a transition back around a figure eight before crossing the finish line. Watch this VIDEO of Team Need for Speed’s breakdown of the course at Wall Speedway.

On Friday, Matt and Fredric both quickly qualified in the top 32, and were gearing up to sign autographs for the fans with the rest of the Formula Drift drivers, when a monstrous storm rolled in over the track. It seemed as if the Need for Speed Electro Lounge got the worst of the wrath, but amazingly was able to be fully restored and back to normal by Saturday’s main event.

The rain stayed away and the sun was shining as the fans rolled into Wall Speedway Saturday, quickly filling up the paddock and the grandstands. People piled into the Need for Speed Electro Lounge all throughout the day to have their chance to play SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED, get a picture with Need for Speed girls Courtney Day and Victoria Mai, rock out to the beats of DJ Miki Taka, or awe at the incredible Team Need for Speed RTR-X that was on display.

Trackside, Matt Powers was paired with John Russakoff in his top 32 battle, and would give chase first. Matt followed Russakoff tight into the bank, but his competitor would get sucked into the wall, causing the rear of Russakoff’s car to bounce back hitting the Need for Speed Nitto Tire S14 in the driver’s side door. Luckily both drivers sustained only minor injuries from the hit. Matt would get the win, as his competitor’s car would be unable to finish the second part of the battle. Watch the VIDEO.

In his battle of the top 32, Fredric was matched with Darren McNamara. Fredric gave chase first in the Team Need for Speed Scion Racing tC and was right on McNamara when entering the bank, pushing hard to keep up with his competitor throughout the course. When leading, Fredric blazed through the track leaving a direct plume of smoke into his competitor’s window, with great angle transitioning through the infield. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for Fredric to get the win and his day on the track would come to an end. Watch the VIDEO. However, Fredric would keep his spirits high and would co-host the live stream from the judge’s tower during the top sixteen.

Matt was set to battle Toshiki Yoshioka in the Sweet Sixteen. Matt would give chase first and did a good job of mimicking his competitor’s line, while maintaining speed to stay in close proximity. When it was Matt’s turn to lead, he initiated high on the wall and kept the Need for Speed Nitto Tire S14 up on the bank right before transitioning into the infield. He blasted through the course as Yoshioka took a more shallow line while trying to keep up. Matt was deemed the winner of the battle and would move on to the Great Eight. Watch the VIDEO.

In his top eight battle, Matt was faced with Ryan Tuerck. Matt gave chase first, and put the pressure on his competitor throughout the course. When leading, Matt put down a solid run, but it was his competitor who was awarded the advantage and the win. Watch the VIDEO. Matt would round out the event with a very respectable top eight finish.

After leaving Formula Drift Round 4 at Wall Speedway, both Team Need for Speed drivers maintain their previous position in points, Matt in 5^th place and Fredric in 12^th place overall. Team Need for Speed slides into Seattle July 22-23 where they will be hoping for a podium finish and to gain some crucial points in the Championship.

For more information on Team NFS visit TeamNeedforSpeed.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/NeedForSpeed, or follow NFS on Twitter @NeedforSpeed.