AEM Driver Fredric Aasbo Wins Formula Drift at the Orlando Speedway

May 2, 2017

In just its second event, the iM is starting to show it's a platform to reckon with

In the second round and event for the Rockstar Energy Drink/AEM Toyota Corolla iM, Fredric Aasbo takes home the victory in the new platform. It was a dominating run up to the finals for him but our AEM drivers were also out in force in the heat and humidity of Florida. With the win, Aasbo looks good for another run at the championship in 2017.

AEM-sponsored Frederic Aasbo take the win at Orlando Speedway

For Aasbo, his weekend started off with a second-place qualifying run and one of the coveted top four spots in the order as those drivers would get a bye-run to the Top 16. Kristaps Bluss would be the next highest qualifying driver in the twelfth seed. He would end up in the Top 16 and finish there for the round. 2016 Formula Drift Champion and AEM Driver, Chris Forsberg, qualified in the fourteenth seed in the V8 370Z since the VQ was still not ready yet. He would end up finishing the round in the Top 16 as well. Rad Dan Burkett would earn a sixteenth seed but would end up finishing in the Top 32 in Orlando.

Aasbo was able to take it to the finals but Matt Field would be eliminated due to de-beading

Matt Field would qualify in the eighteenth seed and would mean that he and Aasbo would meet in the Top 16. Matt would finish his weekend here after his tire de-beaded on his run against eventual winner, Aasbo. While you would think having a bye-run would be an easy path to victory, it really wasn’t as his challenges would increase with each round until the finals. This car has only seen competition twice and that has been the first two rounds. However, he and Papadakis Racing pulled through and helped get themselves and AEM their first victory for the 2017 season. “Starting a season with a new car always feels like a gamble because there's a learning curve for the driver and the team. But we proved to everyone today that our Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM is a force to be reckoned with in this series,” said Aasbo. “All credit is due to our team and our partners. This is an amazing feeling.”

What’s next for Aasbo since taking the win and the lead in the Formula Drift Points Standings? It’s not Disney World but the plant where the Corolla is manufactured for the US. In the meantime, the rest of the AEM Drivers will be preparing for the third round of the Formula Drift Championship. That will take place at the legendary and fan favorite, Road Atlanta on May 12th to the 13th and we’ll see you there.