The Drift Force: Promising start with Toyota 🎥
FORMULA DRIFT IN LONG BEACH The Drift Force from Emmetten is contesting Formula Drift 2022 with two potent Toyota GT86s. At the start of the season in California, more would have been possible for Yves Meyer if it hadn't been for a controversial decision by a judge.
As in the previous year, the racing team founded by Yves Meyer and Joshua Reynolds in 2020 is taking part in Formula Drift in the USA. This is the Formula 1 of drift racing, so to speak.
Powerful Toyota GT86 from the US championship team
In partnership with Drift Cave Motorsports from San José CA, the Swiss are fielding two Toyota GT86s this year and are official brand ambassadors for Toyota Gazoo Racing Switzerland. Both will start in the top PRO category.
Meyer's car acquired The Drift Force from the factory-affiliated Papadakis Racing Team, which captured the team, driver and manufacturer's championship titles in 2021. Powered by E85 and NX nitrous oxide, the four-cylinder turbocharged 2.7-liter engine (base = U.S. version of the Toyota Corolla) delivers 930 hp and 850 Nm of torque to the rear axle.
The connection with the asphalt is handled by semislicks from the company's long-time partner Nexen and a KW Competition 3A EXR3 suspension.
Meanwhile, Reynolds is driving his Toyota GT86, which was previously used in Europe and modified in Switzerland. Due to logistical problems with shipping to the USA, however, he will not be able to get involved in the racing action until the second round of the season.
The judges of fact disagreed
Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan at the season opener on a section of the GP circuit at Long Beach, where the IndyCars and IMSA sports cars will also be competing next weekend. Yves Meyer qualified 25th in the field of 38 drivers from all over the world for the first elimination of the top 32.
But the sixteenth final meant an early end for him. After the two duels - one lead and one chase run (left gallery) - against Chris Forsberg in a new Nissan Z, the judges saw the three-time champion from the USA as the winner.
Yves Meyer: "In my opinion, it was a controversial decision - definitely a very close one. On a positive note, I was able to keep up with a champion right away with a newly acquired car. After all, before this event I only completed one roll-out with the Toyota GT86. The main modifications to the engine were a dry sump and new electronics. We're proud of how well everything worked already. Now more fine tuning is needed."
Joy and disappointment
The most successful Swiss drift driver of the present day therefore traveled home with mixed feelings.
Yves Meyer: "As an athlete, you always want more, of course. But as technicians, we're happy. Unlike with last year's cars, which have since been sold, with the Toyota we now have the power and grip it needs in this world-class field."
The second round of Formula Drift will take place on May 6 and 7 at Road Atlanta Raceway in Braselton, Georgia.
Photos: ValtersBoze.com
