April 26, 2011 (Chandler, Arizona) – George Marstanovic, from Flagstaff, Arizona, defeated Alex Pfeiffer to win the second round of the 2011 Xtreme Drift Circuit national championship at Firebird Raceway near Phoenix Arizona. Marstanovic, driving a V8-powered Mazda RX-7, not only won his first XDC event but also took the top qualifier position.
Jeff Jones defeated Dave Briggs for the final spot on the podium when Briggs’ car suffered a suspension failure. For his victory, Marstanovic took home $3,000 in prize money, plus an additional $500 for taking the top qualifier position. Pfeiffer took home $2,200 – $2,000 for second place and $200 for qualifying third – and Jones earned $1,000 for taking the final spot on the podium.
Briggs’ suspension failure was not the only drama of the weekend. XDC Irwindale winner Chelsea DeNofa encountered problems in his BMW M3 and borrowed Yoshie Shumaya’s Nissan to qualify and compete, while Texas’ Nate Hamilton suffered a blown engine and was unable to qualify at all.
Marstanovic blazed a trail through the top-16, defeating Chris Soehren, Joe Haven, and then Jones to face Pfeiffer in the final. Pfeiffer first defeated Kelvin Arreola, standout rookie Corey Hosford – who in only his first drifting event, qualified sixth and made it to the Great Eight – and then Briggs to meet Marstanovic in the final.
“XDC Arizona was an amazing event,” said Marstanovic afterwards. “Great venue, great fans, and awesome drivers! I’m really excited with what XDC is doing this year, and can’t wait to get to more events and to have some more fun!”
Marstanovic now leads the XDC Western Division Points standings, ahead of Briggs and DeNofa with two of the three rounds completed. XDC’s next event will be the kickoff of the XDC Eastern Division championship, on May 15th at the Central Florida Racing Complex in Orlando, Florida.
The large crowd at XDC Phoenix was treated not only to a competitive top-16 tandem battle, but to the REMIX Car Show and the Power 98.3 Spring Concert featuring Def Jam recording artists Jerimeh and Mann. XDC’s second event in Arizona was an unqualified success and the series looks forward to returning for a third time in 2012. Continue reading
