Formula Drift: Millen Hangs on in Top 5 with Solstice; But Can He Beat the V8s?

[Ming]

Rhys Millen & His Red Bull Pontiac Solstice Within Spitting Distance of Podium Finish for 2007
But are the V8 powered cars proving too much for the Solstice to handle?

Formula DRIFT STANDINGS

Formula DRIFT - Round 5
August, 2007
James Ryan
Infineon Raceway, Sonoma CA

With the event headlined as “Fastest in the Circuit,” it was no surprise that the fast entry speeds and technical course would be dominated by high horse-powered vehicles. The Semi-finals became the “Battle of the V8’s,” with Vaughn Gittin, Jr.’s Falken Tires Ford Mustang, outfitted with a naturally aspirated Hasselgren V8, pitted against the return of Conrad Grunewald in his new Tanaka Racing Corvette and Chris Forsberg’s Maxxis Tires Nissan 350Z powered by a Titan V8 versus Ken Gushi’s Toyo Tires/Ford Racing Mustang.

Source: http://www.c16mag.com/salon_item.aspx?cid=1824

Rhys Millen's Pontiac Solstice GXP uses the 2.0 liter ECOtec engine that comes from the factory, but it’s been tweaked and tuned to produce over 500 horsepower thanks to turbocharging and runs on E-85.



Recent Pike's Peak Solstice Video - WOW! - http://videos.streetfire.net/video/3...7c00ad4c13.htm

Understanding the In and Outs of Formula D Racing
Mon, 20 Aug 2007

If you wanted to get into this sport, the first thing that you should know is what exactly is all about? Drifting is actually a driving technique wherein your vehicle’s rear slip angle is so much greater compared to your front slip angle. When this happens, your vehicle’s front wheels would point to the opposite direction.

So if you are turning left, the wheels of your vehicle are actually going to the right. In this instance, a normal driver would naturally lose his control over the car. You are on a drift, if you can control your car in this situation. Drifting is intentionally losing traction of your car and allows it to slide at a specific angle.

Although Formula D is referred to as some type of racing, it is very different from stockcar racing where the objective of the competition is to simply reach the finish line at the fastest time possible.

In Formula Drifting competitions, speed may be a factor, but the main thing judges would look after is a player’s drifting skills and drifting techniques. To become a professional drifter, it does not only take a good car with high-end car specifications, but it also takes a big amount of practice, effort, hard work, focus and determination to become one.

There are two types of Formula D racing. These include the qualifying rounds & tandem battles. In the traditional qualifying round, a single driver completes the courses on his own.

When it comes to tandem battles, it involves two drivers on a drift and the judges give them scores at the same time. Scoring involves carefully evaluating a driver’s drifting techniques.

Some of the factors that they look into are the car’s speed and the drifting line that the car has taken. It is also important to remain on track while drifting. During tandem battles, some of the things that are important when judging are the car’s collisions and passing.

Today, the only professional drifting series competition held in the United States is the Formula Drift Championship. It is the only series recognized by the SCCA Pro Racing.

The fact that the SCCA Pro Racing sanction the Formula Drift series, it only means that its aim to make the competition very objective and go by a certain set of rules. Being sanctioned by SCCA also means that Formula D has been accepted as a legitimate motor sport.

Because of the sponsors and organizations behind this sport, the crews and drivers are now getting the latest equipments that they need. This does not only benefit the drivers, but it also makes the competitions more entertaining for car enthusiasts.

Formula D Racing is fairly new to the racing industry in the United States. The first professional drifting competition is held last 2004 in Atlanta Georgia. There are a lot of car fans that are impressed by the car’s breathtaking stunts. They are also astounded by the skills of drivers in maneuvering their vehicles.

Although Formula D racing was not so popular in the United States up until 2004, it has received global attention already. In Japan alone, it is recognized as one of the most popular car sports. Because of the adrenaline rush and the challenge drifting brings to its players and audience, it has been popular in the US and all over the world.

[AndrewGS]

I'm so glad he's driving GM.

[GotAWD]

Most definatly good to see the GM is still in the game. Gotta love that EcoTEC platform, how hard would it be to put that LNF into an S truck?


I was wondering if GM would make a limited edition Solstice GXP with the gold and red wheel combo. And some extra power to boot.


I just noticed this and doing some research on it. "Conrad Grunewald in his new Tanaka Racing Corvette " isnt Tanaka Racing a Japanese Performance company? i find it kinda ironic that a japanesse company would use an American car for their own home grown sport.?

i cant seem to find anything, does anyone have some info for me? thanks in advance.

[Wheels66]

[quote=GotAWD]


And some extra power to boot.

I just love statements like this. I guess my question would be, have you driven a Solstice GXP? I am guessing you havent. I must say that my Solstice GXP is one crazy little monster, 0-60 in about 5 seconds, turns and stops on a dime and had an MSRP of less than 30 grand. You want extra power, add aftermarket stuff, plenty out there. I have 260 hp and still average 29.6 mpg combined. Oh, that is taking into account that my car gets plenty of WOT.

[LAChevy24]

i dont think its a problem with the power, that solstice is one fast machine. at least it was at the Long Beach round.

[JeffInDFW]

[quote=Wheels66]

Originally Posted by GotAWD

And some extra power to boot.

I just love statements like this. I guess my question would be, have you driven a Solstice GXP? I am guessing you havent. I must say that my Solstice GXP is one crazy little monster, 0-60 in about 5 seconds, .

Guys with Z06 Vettes and Vipers still want "some extra power". I'm one of them (Viper). I also own a Solstice, and LOVE the car. LOVE IT. However, to be perfect, I'd like to see it stock with 290-300. It is close, but needs just a little more speed. Cars feel good to me once they are running close to 13.0 in the quarter. Better once they are deep into the 11's, but.....

[BigAls87Z28]

Here is the "winning" Falken Mustang that broke down at Wall Speedway last year. Timing chain snapped and all the valves dropped and killed the right bank.
That, and the G35 Twin Turbo car blew an engine.

[GMusa]

Sweet! I think Millen can take the Solstice all the way! that little car has guts!

[Quickening]

Lol, the wing on the G35 just made my day.

[DemonKnightDK]

I can picture the Ute as a pontiac in this...... I think pontiac should start working on using turbo engines... like saab dose.... have the cars made by holden and use saab engines.. (cept for TOP of the line V8 supercars..) I could see the 2.8V6 Turbo as a base, then the 3.6 DI turboed, then a LS3 turboed to 425.....^_^

[jzEllis]

cool! but i still liked the GTO much better!

[FISH]

Originally Posted by DemonKnightDK

I can picture the Ute as a pontiac in this.

like this?



http://www.capadrift.com.au/movies/05_oran_ute1.avi

[LAChevy24]

Originally Posted by FISH

like this?



http://www.capadrift.com.au/movies/05_oran_ute1.avi

that would be cool if he used that car. he could probably win the championship in, considering he did win one the the GTO

[jwrebholz]

That the Solstice can run with these big V8 supercars says a lot about just how good the ECOTEC is in racing applications.

[Raskolnikov]

Originally Posted by DemonKnightDK

I can picture the Ute as a pontiac in this...... I think pontiac should start working on using turbo engines... like saab dose.... have the cars made by holden and use saab engines.. (cept for TOP of the line V8 supercars..) I could see the 2.8V6 Turbo as a base, then the 3.6 DI turboed, then a LS3 turboed to 425.....^_^

A turbo LS3 better put out a lot more than 425 HP. A stock NA LS3 produces 436 HP!!!!!