Category: Behind the Wheel

Behind the Wheel – Life of FD Drivers / Teams

Bridges Racing Signs Robbie Nishida For 2011 Season

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Bridges Racing of Huntington Beach, CA to collaborate with Internationally Renowned Drifter, Robbie Nishida for the 2011 Formula DRIFT Season.

Huntington Beach, CA – February 20, 2011 – Bridges Racing is proud to announce their return to the Formula DRIFT series this year with one of the most respected drivers in the series, Robbie Nishida.

With years of professional racing experience, team owner, Bryan Bridges takes his talents to the world of drifting. Using the age old formula of a lightweight chassis and a high powered motor, Bridges Racing mates a 240sx with a VQ35. They didn’t stop there; with the help of Brian Crower, the Bridges Racing team took the 3.5L motor, bored and stroked it to 4.0L, strengthened the internals and added a Vortech supercharger to produce 630 whp and 580lb/ft of torque. Having piloted a VQ powered Nissan 350z and R35 Nissan GTR before, Robbie is no stranger to this motor.

Although his roots stem from motorcycle racing, Bridges attributes much of his racing experience and knowledge to drag racing. Bridges began tuning high performance Honda’s eventually becoming crew chief for the Castrol Syntec Acura Integra. The team went on to win numerous championships including the first NHRA Sport Compact Championship, as well as setting a number of world records.

During his tenure with Castrol, Dunlop Tires called upon Bridges to assist them in their efforts to enter the sport compact market. Bridges assisted in developing import drag slicks and tires as well as trackside marketing.

With a successful track record in drag racing and an admiration for drifting, Bridges decided to take a shot at professional drifting. In 2009, Bridges Racing campaigned a car in the Formula DRIFT season with Michihiro Takatori behind the wheel. Having obtained a lot of data from that season, the car has gone through various changes to become more competitive and reliable. In its current form Bridges Racing believes that with Robbie Nishida, they have found the winning combination.

Robbie Nishida has become one of the most watched for drivers in Formula DRIFT. Nishida has been competing in Japan since 1998 and professionally in the Formula DRIFT series since 2005. His skilled driving has earned him a podium and numerous Top 8 finishes the in the Formula DRIFT Series. In 2009 Nishida finished 8th in overall points.

Robbie Nishida will be making his debut with the Bridges Racing 240SX during Formula DRIFT Round 1 in Long Beach, CA on April 8th 2011. “I want to thank everyone that has helped me over the past few years to get to where I am now, but I am proud to say that I have a new start with a whole new team. This year I will be in a familiar chassis with a familiar motor in it. Hopefully we could move on with more success and I will be driving even more aggressively than ever” said Robbie Nishida.

Bridges Racing and its current sponsors are already looking forward to watching Robbie Nishida this Formula DRIFT season. “Robbie and the Bridges Racing 240SX is definitely a team to watch for. I am looking forward to the synergy of Robbie Nishida behind the wheel of the supercharged VQ powered 240SX. A car that all drifting fans can relate to” says Andrew Modena, President of Marketing for Button Marketing & Consulting, a Bridges Racing sponsor. Bridges Racing is excited to be working with Nishida this year and believes that their partnership will bring competition to other drivers and excitement to the fans. “Robbie is a class act and a top driving talent. I believe that if we provide him with the correct tools, we will see a string of podium finishes for the 2011 season” says Bryan Bridges, team owner of Bridges Racing

Current sponsors for the 2011 Formula DRIFT season include:
• S-Max Intercoolers
• Spec Clutch
• K&N
• HPS Silicone Hoses
• Brian Crower
• Neo Synthetic Oil
• Baker Precision
• BASF
• PAC Auto Body
• Button Marketing & Consulting
• Steen Chassis

Bridges Racing would like to thank their ongoing sponsors for their loyalty and continued support. Bridges Racing is currently in negotiations with a title sponsor and is working to bring in additional sponsors for the season.

Gardella Racing Announces Expanded 2011 Program

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GARDELLA RACING ANNOUNCES EXPANDED 2011 PROGRAM WITH ADDITION OF ’09 FORMULA DRIFT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ERIC O’SULLIVAN

HOWELL, NJ (February 1, 2011) – Gardella Racing announced today that Irish drifting champion and 2009 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Eric O’Sullivan, will join the Howell NJ-based team for 2011.

In an exciting move, O’Sullivan will re-locate to Gardella Racing’s headquarters to become heavily involved as both a team driver and Gardella Racing Ambassador in the Formula DRIFT and grass roots programs.

Campaigning the Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice in the 2011 Formula DRIFT Pro Drift Championship, O’Sullivan will shortly begin an extensive testing program alongside Gardella Racing driver Ryan Tuerck. In addition to the 2011 Formula DRIFT Program, O’Sullivan will also enjoy a broader role as Gardella Racing Ambassador reaching out to the grass roots communities of North American Drifting.

Speaking on the announcement of the move Eric O’Sullivan stated, “This move is a dream come true for me. I am extremely proud and honored to have been given this opportunity with Gardella Racing. Gardella Racing is a team that I have always admired for their professionalism and commitment to top-level motorsports and I am delighted to now be part of the team. Our plans for 2011 are extremely exciting and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the GR Pontiac Solstice and begin preparations.”

Following an extensive search for a 2nd driver via the team’s social media network , Gardella Racing Team Owner Gary Gardella also commented on the deal , “There are a lot of talented drivers out there, many of whom applied to be part of the Gardella Racing team.  Eric was the one driver who stood out and met all of the qualities I was looking for in a driver,” continued Gardella. “He is a champion driver,  a great spokesman for partners, and a team player, expecting to be more involved in the team in addition to driving.”

More details on the extent of O’Sullivan’s role with Gardella Racing will be   revealed over the coming months when the Irish driver will travel to New Jersey and be officially introduced to his 2011 team and vehicle.


Ryan Tuerck On Monticello Motor Club

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[vimeo width=”570″ height=”321″]http://vimeo.com/19581984[/vimeo]

D-UPdrifting.com invited Ryan Tuerck from Gardella Racing up to Monticello Motor Club a few months back for a private test session.  This video is a preview of the track and layouts that D-UP Drifting will be running this upcoming season. Enjoy as Ryan describes the track and tears up the Gardella Racing Solstice all over Monticello.

Kenda Tire Signs Formula Drift Rookie, Brad Hettinger

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COLUMBUS, OHIO (January 27, 2011) – Kenda Tire has signed Formula Drift rookie, Brad Hettinger, as the 2nd driver to compete in the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Series for 2011.

Brad, owner of Groundwerks Garage, is no stranger to competition.  In 2009 Brad finished in FD Pro AM 5th place qualifier and 13th overall. Hettinger, also qualified 7th in XDC New Jersey, running on Kenda Tires in 2010.

Brad will be joining team mate Dennis Mertzanis in a V8 powered Nissan S14 owned by LM Racing. To follow Kenda Tires and Brad Hettinger’s effort for the 2011 Formula D season, point your browsers to: http://www.groundwerksgarage.com & http://www.luismartinezracing.com

Kenda, a leading manufacturer of automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), golf cart, lawn mower, industrial and trailer tires in the world, has maintained its North American headquarters in Columbus, Ohio for the last three decades. Since the inception of the company in 1962, Kenda has operated on core values of honesty, innovation, quality and customer service. For nearly 50 years, Kenda has continued to develop and expand its product selections to meet changing market demands.

Visit http://www.kendausa.com for more information.