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The Formula Drift Pro2 category is the last step before drivers step up to the top ranks of the Formula Drift Pro Championship. In many ways, that’s what makes Pro2 a harder series because all drivers are not only gunning for the win but also there is less familiarity. However, our up and coming AEM Drivers were able to put on a show and prove they will be worthy of those Pro ranks, soon, with Travis Reeder taking the podium but not before showcasing his driving talents in the Final Four.
Travis began his weekend with a sixth seed on Thursday Qualifying before heading on to the finals. He would be the best qualified driver but George Kiriakopoulos would find himself in the eleventh seed and driving against Reeder. However, his Friday would end in Top 16 due to a broken transmission, which he still tried to drive on. A broken transmission would also end Andy Hateley’s weekend on qualifying day. He was also able to try and make the field but his best run on a broken box meant he would only get twenty-second seed of a Top 16 field.
Reeder looked strong in the finals
Reeder would move on to face off against the finals but in his Final Four run, his left rear tire would de-bead. Undaunted, Travis was able to keep his car moving and was awarded the entry into the finals where he would finish in second-place. It was a tough battle but one that ended with Reeder on that second step and the start of a great weekend in Orlando for AEM. Their next round is once again with the Pro Series at Road Atlanta on May 11th and 12th. This legendary track is known for its high-speeds, insane entries, and being a crowd and driver favorite. We’ll see you there.
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.
Frederic Aasbo on his way to the finals in Orlando
AEM is helping drivers in the FD Pro2 class with a contingency program
When it comes to competing in the Formula DRIFT series, you need all the help you can get in regards to your budget. Fortunately, AEM Induction has introduced a fantastic way to help drivers find more power, offer a contingency bonus for those running the AEM Dryflow air filter, and save where they need it. The 2017 season will be the inaugural year for both the AEM PRO 2 Contingency Program and AEM Race Parts Discount program.
In racing and drifting, drivers tend to be a loyal bunch to the brands they know work. AEM Inductions would like to reward those loyal racers by putting cash in their pockets by way of both monetary payouts and discounts on parts purchased from us. To be eligible, a PRO2 driver must meet the following criteria:
Run an AEM Dryflow Air Filter on their competition vehicle,
Run an AEM decal on locations laid out in the program, and
Finish in the Top 16 of a PRO 2 Round.
Formula Drift Pro2 drivers are grassroots drivers with little budget, so AEM wants to help them
The total contingency payout for each round is $1000, with payouts occurring at each round of Formula DRIFT PRO 2 competition. The highest finishing AEM contingency driver in the Top 16 will earn $500, second highest driver will earn $300, and the third highest will earn $200. Drivers will also be able to purchase from the Race Parts Discount program and won’t just include parts for their competition vehicle but also their tow vehicle as well.
“AEM Induction views the Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Series as vital in the long-term growth and sustainability of drifting at its highest level,” says Chris Matye, Team & Series Support Manager, AEM Induction. “Many of the talented young drivers competing in PRO 2 are true grassroots racers running on strict budgets and with minimal crew. The establishment of our PRO 2 Contingency Program is directly aimed at rewarding these loyal AEM Induction customers with cash prizes. PRO 2 is developing the Formula DRIFT stars of tomorrow, and AEM is happy to lend our support to this talented field of young drivers.”
To be a part of the AEM contingency program, the drivers have to meet specific requirements
AEM-sponsored Fredric Aasbo brings out the new Corolla iM at Streets of Long Beach
The first round of the Formula Drift Championship is always a fun one. You have the city of Long Beach, waves, and the only street circuit drifting in the series just before the historic Grand Prix of Long Beach. AEM looked to gain a great start to the season with Fredric Aasbo, Kirstaps Bluss, Matt Field, 2017 rookie Dan Burkett, and 2016 Formula Drift Champion Chris Forsberg, among others, taking it to the streets. Would we see a breakout start?
When it comes to difficult circuits, a street circuit with almost no runoff is one that is a challenge for road racing. Now take that and ramp the idea up because you’re sliding sideways and purposely scraping the wall and your competitor's car and you’ll see why the Streets of Long Beach is a popular event for Formula Drift fans and drivers alike. It’s an event that can give you the biggest victory of your career or the worst start to your Formula Drift season. Unfortunately, FD Rookie and AEM Driver Dan Burkett was hit with the latter. While bringing an impressive eleventh place qualifying position, he would crash during Top 32 practice. His team got the RAD Industries Supra back together and into the show, but Dan eventually lost to fellow AEM Driver Matt Field, who would go on to finish in the Top 16.
Matt Field with the new Falken tires livery on his Nissan 240SX
2016 Formula Drift Champion, Chris Forsberg, qualified in seventh place and didn’t have the greatest start himself. Prior to qualifying, the champ had to replace his twin-turbo VQ V6 for a familiar VK V8 powered 370Z. While it was disappointing to not witness the new VQ do its magic, the familiarity of the VK showed as he was still able to capitalize on a Top 10 qualification. He would go on to the Great 8 where he would be eliminated against the eventual winner.
Fedric Aasbo, the 2015 Formula Drift Champion, brought out the brand-new Toyota Corolla iM to show that weird chassis still work in FD. While a twenty-ninth place qualifying wouldn’t properly show the performance of his chassis, the performance to the Great 8 would. He would face off against fellow AEM Driver, Kristaps Bluss in the Top 16 (who had also qualified higher than Aasbo), Bluss would fall to the FD champ before Aasbo’s Great 8 exit.
Kristaps Bluss under the famous Long Beach bridge before turn 10 at the 2017 Streets of Long Beach
While a win or a top four finish would have been a sweet ending, it wouldn’t be the end for two of our AEM drivers as they would also compete in the non-points Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge during the Long Beach Grand Prix. Remember how drifting a street circuit was hard on its own? Well now add the challenge of a night event to that mix. Instead of qualifying, it would be a random draw for the Top 16 positions. Matt Field would grab the ninth position while Dan Burkett would get tenth. Dan would end up walking with a Top 16 finish, however the night would be owned once again by Matt Field as he took his second Super Drift win in a row. “We went back to back!” said Matt Field, winner of the Motegi Super Drift Challenge. “This event was strong and it feels good to get back into a car that’s in working manner after struggling last weekend, but we’re back.” For night two, Matt would end up in the Top 16 position after taking hard damage during the finals. However, Dan Burkett showed he would be the rookie sensation for 2017 by taking a Top 8 finish in his first ever Super Drift at one of the hardest circuits in the series.
The next event for the Formula Drift Schedule and our AEM drivers is Orlando Speed World Oval in Orlando, Florida. It will also be the first event for the 2017 Formula Drift Pro2 Championship where we’ll see our Pro2 drivers. Check back for more news from AEM and the 2017 Formula Drift Season.
The cold air intake kit is comprised of the aluminum intake tube, heat shield, and Dryflow filter
For the 2013 model year, Chevrolet introduced the revised GM LTG engine into the Chevrolet Malibu. The engine is the 3rd Generation of EcoTec motors and the same engine was also utilized in the Cadillac ATS. The four cylinder, all-aluminum engine displaces 2.0 liters with a square bore - stroke configuration of 86 mm to 86 mm. The LTG engine uses a twin-scroll turbocharger to minimize turbo lag, air-to-air intercooler, direct fuel injection along with continuously variable valve timing, a stainless steel exhaust manifold capable of withstanding the 1800°F turbine temperature, forged connecting rods with a drop-forged steel crank, and a rotacast aluminum alloy cylinder head with sodium-filled exhaust valves.
In 2013, the LTG 2.0L engine was launched producing 259 horsepower. However, in 2016, Chevrolet reduced the power rating to 250 horsepower. So owners of 2016 and 2017 Chevrolet Malibu sedans with the 2.0L turbocharged engine are at a 9 horsepower disadvantage to prior model years.
In evaluating the air intake GM installed at the factory, it was clear to AEM engineers there was room for improvement. AEM then developed 21-803C cold air intake system for the LTG engine as installed in the Malibu. The new system generated an estimated 17 horsepower – at the rear wheels. This more than compensates for the 9 horsepower loss for 2016 and 2017 models.
The heat shield isolates the filter from underhood heat, allowing only cold air to flow to the motor
What AEM engineers created was a cold air intake system that relocates the filter to an area of the engine compartment where it’s best able to draw cool outside air. Cooler air carries additional oxygen into the combustion chamber which creates incremental horsepower and torque. And with a turbocharger packing air in even tighter, it makes that much more power.
But that's only part of the power equation. Tuning the inlet pipe in length and diameter helps move more air to the turbocharger. During development, fuel trim monitor correction factors and all OBD II sensors are tested to eliminate leaning out the engine or activating a check engine light.
The AEM 21-803C cold air intake is a relatively inexpensive DIY modification that takes only a couple of hours to install with common hand tools. It comes with the necessary clamps and hardware for an OEM-type appearance. Plus OEM mounting brackets and hardware are utilized for seamless installation with no drilling required.
The 21-2113DK AEM Dryflow air filter is engineered for increased airflow and comes ready to use
The filter itself is a tapered conical 21-2113DK AEM Dryflow non-woven synthetic washable unit which provides outstanding air flow, filtration, and performance. The air intake tube is constructed from mandrel-bent aluminum tubing finished in a durable gunmetal gray powdercoat. Further, this air intake system was designed so that the Malibu engine’s factory emissions control devices including the mass air flow sensor and engine vent lines fit right on.
The AEM air filter is good for 100,000 miles before requiring service (depending upon your driving conditions) so if you drive in dusty conditions, your filter may require more frequent maintenance. Cleaning consists of an application of 1-1000 AEM Synthetic Air Filter Cleaner which will loosen and dissolve grime and dirt build up, after which the filter can simply be rinsed with water and reinstalled once dry. No messy oiling required!
The AEM 21-803C cold air intake is designed and engineered for the following vehicles:
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
