K&N Drifters Share Formula Drift Pro Championship Podium at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California

Chris Forsberg Racing took another victory for the Maxxis Tires Drift Team at Sonoma, California over the weekend.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. left, Chris Forsberg center, Ken Gushi right
Vaughn Gittin Jr. left, Chris Forsberg center, Ken Gushi right
The 5th Round of the Formula Drift Pro Championship was held at Infineon Raceway over the past weekend. The team worked hard in the weeks leading up to the event to prepare the car for the high speed entry.
Gittin and Forsberg battle at Infineon Raceway
Gittin and Forsberg battle at Infineon Raceway
Top Drifters Share the Podium at Sonoma, California
Top Drifters Share the Podium at Sonoma, California

“We were really excited for this event as the high speed long entry really suits my driving style,” said Chris Forsberg. “The 350Z was set up perfectly and ran great all weekend. The car was dialed in perfectly for completion.” On Forsberg’s first qualifying pass he scored 96 out of 100 putting him in the top spot.

In the tandem battle, Forsberg’s tires were burning up the track and gave him the grip he needed to perform. The team moved on to defeat Stephan Verdier in his new Subaru STI. He was in the final round pitted against Falken’s top driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. The drifters had a great first run and Forsberg scored a near perfect 9 point run against Gittin and his Mustang.

They were preparing to line up again but Gittin suffered engine malfunctions. He faced a 4 point deficit to Forsberg and decided it would be impossible to recover. Forsberg took first place in Formula Drift Round Five. Gittin was second and Ken Gushi rounded out third place.

Forsberg uses K&N Engineering Oil (HP-1003) and Air Filters (RC-5004). “Overall it was an exciting weekend,” he said. “All the pieces fell into place. We are very happy to be back in 2nd place overall.”

Chris Forsberg Racing is also in the lead of the Triple Crown points race, with only a final round at Irwindale Speedway remaining. The separate race rewards the highest ranked driver from the Atlanta, Infineon and Irwindale races with a large cash prize. Forsberg won both the Atlanta and the Infineon events and is far ahead of the pack. A solid finish at Irwindale Speedway will lock up the Triple Crown.

Gittin is one of the top drifters in the world. The 26-year-old Annapolis, Maryland resident competes against top drivers from Japan, England, Ireland, Malaysia and New Zealand. He is frequently the highest ranked American in competitions.

Gittin has used K&N Engineering products since he was 16-years-old. “I saw all the research and knew K&N Air and Oil Filters were right for me,” he said. “My professional relationship with K&N began about 4-years-ago. I was moving up the ranks in drifting and walked over to the K&N booth at an event. I introduced myself asked for a sponsorship and the rest is history.”

The next Formula Drift event will be held September 7 and 8 at Wall TWP Speedway in Wall, New Jersey.

Follow Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chris Forsberg throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.