WAYNE, N.J., May, 14, 2012 – Hankook driver Fredric Aasbo placed second in round two of the 2012 Formula Drift season this past weekend on the new for 2012 course layout at Road Atlanta Raceway in Braselton, GA.
The sold out event attracted over 20,000 spectators and saw Aasbo driving his Hankook/Need for Speed Scion tC against Hankook Tire teammate Rhys Millen in the Hankook/Hyundai Genesis during the Top 8 round. The tandem run was so close the drivers went out on the track for a ‘One More Time’ run, with Aasbo coming out on top over Millen.
On to Top 4, Aasbo was matched against D1 champ Daigo Saito. Despite the smaller engine in Aasbo’s Scion tC, his Papadakis Racing crew was able to prepare his car to allow him to beat out Saito and win a second place podium finish.
“What an incredible night! We knew that speed was going to be the determining factor here in Atlanta, and following Round 1 in Long Beach we knew we had just that,” stated Aasbo. “Coming out here, taking out top names like Diago Saito and ending up on the podium…it’s definitely complements to this amazing team. Now, bring on Round 3 in Florida!”
Aasbo and his Hankook Tire racing teammates compete on Hankook’s Ventus R-S3 Extreme Performance Summer tire. Developed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts the Ventus R-S3 offers drivers looking for outstanding race tire-like traction on the street or for use in autocross, drifting or track events. Aasbo’s second place podium finish puts him in third place overall in the Formula Drift championship standings.
“Having all our teams qualify and Fredric finishing on the podium truly demonstrates the performance and consistency of our Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires,” said Hankook motorsports marketing manager Paul Jho. “Now it’s on to Round 3 in Palm Beach, Florida.”
2012 marks the ninth year for the Formula Drift series and Hankook’s seventh year of involvement. The company garnered enhanced visibility and sales increases in 2011 as a result of its motorsports sponsorships and special racing programs and has continued its involvement as an official sponsor of Formula Drift for the 2012 racing season. Hankook also supports teams competing in Global Time Attack, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Off-Road Racing and the 25 Hours of Thunderhill race.