Formula Drift round 5 - True North in Montreal, Canada

Formula Drift round 5 a.k.a "True North" was held in Montreal, Canada at Autodrome St-Eustache. The weather was great, except some rain on qualifications day. Fans were amazing, most of them spending their nights in tents and trailers right outside the gate of the track. Track itself is great, except the first wallride. The wall caught more victims than any other track and we saw a lot of bye-runs in Top32. There were quite a few Pro drivers that skipped this event, including Toyota 86 driver Cameron Moore, all other 86/BRZ teams were on site.

Jhonnattan Castro

Jhonnattan Castro qualified 14th and went against Vaughn Gittin Jr (Q19) in Top 32. Castro's lead run ok although a bit shallow to run away from Gittin, but on follow run Castro pushed harder and on second sweeper gained too much speed where Gittin was slowing down for next turn. Castro smashed in Gittin's Mustang and for this mistake was out of further competition.

Dai Yoshihara / Falken Tire, Turn14 Subaru BRZ

Daijiro Yoshihara qualified 16th and went against 2016 Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg (Q17) in Top32. Both had great runs and proximity. Chris Forsberg had better line and Yoshihara had better proximity on follow run. All three judges vote for Dai Yoshihara to continue to Top16. This just shows how important is proximity in tandem runs.

In TOP16 Dai went against current championship points leader and No.1 qualifier - James Deane. Deane did a perfect lead run and Dai had a great follow run proximity. But on second run James Deane showed why he is points leader and did even more impressive follow run proximity. One judge votes OMT, two judges vote for James Deane to advance to Top8.

Ryan Tuerck

Ryan Tuerck qualified 6th and that secured a bye-run in Top 32 as there were only 24 drivers in this round

In Top16 Tuerck goes against Ken Gushi, both driving 2JZ powered Toyota 86 this is one we like. Unfortunately Tuerck finds himself crashing into the wall and Ken Gushi has nowhere to go and crashes in Tuerck/wall as well. Judges call it Tuercks fault and he is not able to repair his car in time so Ken Gushi is announced as winner of this battle.

Ken Gushi

Ken Gushi qualified in 11th position and went against 22nd position qualifier Pat Goodin. In first run Ken Gushi did a good lead run and Pat Goodin was lost far back. On second run Goodin shows excellent lead run and Gushi is one-two car lengths behind. One judge votes for Gushi but two judges vote for OMT. Second Gushi's lead run is even better and Goodin falls back even more. Goodin drops a tire in final turn and calls for a timeout. Goodin comes back with a good lead run but Gushi is right there and all judges vote for Gushi to continue to TOP16.

In TOP16 Gushi went against Tuerck and both ended in a crash.

Top8 - After the crash in Top16 Gushi's car is way too damaged, front frame and towers are bent and is out of competition. Vaughn Gittin Jr gets a bye-run. After finishing the run Gittin stops and gets pulled off the track. Turns out he was running no oil pressure and even he advances to top4, he cancels any further runs to save the engine for next rounds.

Podium: 1st Fredric Aasbo, 2nd Kristaps Bluss, 3rd James Deane

Next round - Formula DriftROUND 6: The Throwdown - Monroe, WA

Photography: Valters Bože

Extra photos: