Race Updates

Drift Day Comp #6 and Drift Invite Competition

April 28-29

The Drift Day and Drift Invite was a dual event aimed at combining a Rim of the World Rally event and Drifting. Day one was Friday and an beginner to intermediate event. The event saw many drivers who are serious about competitive drifting and want to be involved in some of the major series. NM Drift Group was a participant in several ways. The competition saw Gary Lang compete in single qualifying runs while finishing 12th overall. Ben Reyes was excluded due to D1GP license status.

Earlier in the day NM Drift Group took advantage of early arrival as both Ben and Gary tested for Advanced Licensing from Drift Day. The advance license is a recognizable license allowing NM Drift Group the ability to run Tandem practice at all Drift Days. Many, probably all, of the Pro's today have Advanced licenses from Drift Day. 5 runs only, showing car control, completion of full course and proper line. Both Ben and Gary recieved their Drift Day Advanced Licenses on Friday.

The Drift Invite was a 2 part event on Saturday the 29th. The first part was a team tandem competition. NM Drift Group teamed up with Chris Milano. The 3 car tandem was very exciting and definitely a pressure packed competition as you have 3 cars judged in 1 run. 3 chances to get a deduction or mistake.

The second portion of the event was a Pro Invite Competition. Drift Invite opened the competition up to caged drivers who were participants in the tandem competition and some of the competitors from Day One. Qualifying were a 3 run, all judged, and best of 3 counted. Qualifying saw Ben Reyes taking the 11 spot and Gary Lang taking the number 6 spot. Next was the Top 16 bracket, again NM Drift Group met in the first round. This is becoming all too familiar as Ben and Gary have met in the Top 16 first round 2 events in a row. They are of course trying to get on opposite sides of the bracket for the chance to meet further down the line. This time Ben and Gary's tandem runs went to a "one more time". Gary Lang advanced to the Top 8 to meet Tanner Foust with his Garrett-powered AEM 350Z, in the 2nd round. Tanner Foust then advanced to Top 4 and eventually finished runner-up in the event.