We’ve been quite fortunate being able to sponsor some of the most talented drivers looking to get their way into the drifting world. This year, we also sponsored Chris Jeanneret of CNC Autosports who is campaigning in his STR Racing S14, using our Flex dampers.
As it is, the Formula Drift series is quite a challenge. Many of the newer competitors face some seasoned drift veterans. Many of which are heavily funded to keep them at the upper tier of competitors.
Chris, although not new to drifting, is fairly new to the Formula Drift series. We were glad to support him on his voyage into the big leagues.
Here’s what Chris has to say about his experience so far:
“Formula drift round 5 (Monroe, WA) was a victory for us in many ways. Although we didn’t finish where we wanted, we made it farther than we thought with how many odds that were against us. The Sunday before FD was the first time to drive the car and we only got 3 solid runs in the car, since we were spending so much time just checking it over after every run and making huge changes right out of the hole to get the car competitive. Those 3 runs put a huge smile on my face, but at the same time concerned me- it was the first time I have driven in 2 years and now I have to get me and the car ready to qualify in 4 days.
Thursday practice at FD was not looking good for us. We broke 4 left side axles on initiation in a row. We spent the rest of the day trying to figure out what is going on and why. We only managed another 2 runs for practice that day.
Friday was the day my team and I had to get things together and start working on our qualifying line. We went out for practice after the drivers meeting and had a great game plan and thought we had everything on the car figured out, but as luck would have it we broke another axle. This time, however, it was the opposite side! We scrambled to get another one in the car and back out to practice. As we got back to grid to do our burn out, I tried to do a rolling burn out, and as soon as I lifted the same axle broke again! Ok, so now we are on our last axle and we have to go out for qualifying and it’s all or nothing. So I did the lightest burn out and aired up the tires more than I wanted to be as easy on the car as possible and hoped for the best. As I left the line the car felt really loose, so I initiated as light as possible and set the car into drift and after that I said to myself “well let’s hope she holds together!”, and it did. I pushed the car as hard as I could out to the wall clip and the touch and go area then into power alley. I never lifted from 4th gear leaving a whole set of Falken 615k tires up in smoke in one run. After I cleared the middle of the track I came through the final hairpin feeling the tires were done and tried my hardest not to hit the wall with my foot flat on the gas pedal and finished my run. As I got back to the pits my spotter messaged me we got a 75 on our first run and I was smiling ear to ear and was hoping that would secure us as spot in the top 32, which it was. We were 29th, and now is the time to get the car ready for tandem.
Saturday morning the fans were pouring in, and all I can say was the pressure was on. Our first battle of the day was with, none other than Vaughn Gittin Jr., who is a driver I have always loved watching from the side lines and know is a straight up and aggressive driver that would be hard to keep up with. On our first run, we followed and I tried my hardest in the STR Racing S14 to just keep up with his crazy fast mustang, but once he initiated his car, he instantly put 4 car lengths on me and I just tried my best to stay on line and close the gap in the infield with running a shallower line. Next we would follow and all I could think is that Jr. is going to be right on me so I need not to lift at all. This time I tried a different approach to my initiation and it backfired- the transmission popped out of 4th gear and I went straight. At that moment, I knew my day was done and pulled to the inside lane and let Jr. go around me.
Although we didn’t make it passed top 32 we qualified with very little practice and learned a lot about the car and we were the only Northwest team to qualify. I think that says something about our program. We certainly look forward to improvements for the next round, and bridging the gap closer to the podium!”
We wish Chris and the team great success this year. It’s great to know that he will keep on fighting to prove his mettle out on the track, and we know that he do well. Keep up with Chris and please be sure to give him your support.
https://www.facebook.com/chrisjeanneret
