Saito Crowned Drift King of Achilles Formula Drift 2011 as Series Concludes at Dataran Merdeka
Malaysian top finisher Mervyn Abdullah narrowly misses out semi–final spot in front of more than 10,000 fans
19 December 2011 (Kuala Lumpur)– Daigo Saito of Sparks Achilles Drift Team claimed the Achilles Formula Drift 2011 Malaysia title and clinched the overall Drivers’ Champion in style at the Dataran Merdeka today, concluding the thrilling Achilles Formula Drift Series in Kuala Lumpur.
It was the second consecutive year the Japanese emerged victorious in the Malaysian leg, and the 2011 series favourite proved too strong for the competition for another drift legend, compatriot Manabu Orido of Team RSR, who finished runners– up today. Saito took the lead in the first run, and Orido made an uncharacteristic spin going into the first clipping point.
Saito only had to make sure he turned in an error-free performance in the second run, and the Japanese did not disappoint, much to the pleasure of the enthusiastic crowd. Today’s victory saw Saito sweep the 2011 Achilles Formula Drift Series after winning the Singapore and Indonesian leg earlier this year.
Kiki Sak Nana of Red Bull Drift Team Thailand rounded off the top three of Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011, after beating compatriot Chanatpon Kerdpiam in the third–fourth race.
However, it was the Malaysian drivers who drew the loudest cheers with the local drivers making the most out of the home support. In the Round of 32, Malaysia’s Mervyn ´Nakamura´ Abdullah caused the biggest upset by defeating Thailand ace driver Non (Saranon Pornpatanarak), who was ranked second in the series coming into today´s competition. Mervyn reached the last eight before losing to Thailand’s Chantpon Kerdpiam in a close battle that went into a rematch. Another local favourite, Ser Ming Hui, also made it to the quarter finals before losing to eventual champion Saito.
Out of the 13 Malaysians who participated in the Malaysian Drift, 10 qualified into the round of 32, with Lim Zee King, Tan Tat Wei joining Ser Ming Hui and Mervyn Nakamura in the top 16 – a clear indication of the quality of Malaysian drifters.
However it was the Japanese contingent that once again demonstrated the difference with Daigo’s near-flawless drifting. Orido, known for his stylish persona and cowboy hat, made his debut in Malaysia and the drifting legend surely gave the Malaysian crowd a real spectacle to behold.
Today´s finale also saw Sparks Achilles winning the overall Team Champion for the 2011 season, bolstered by Saito´s sweep over the Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia legs.
Click here to view Results FD MY 2011
About Formula Drift Asia
Formula Drift is the first and only sanctioned North American professional championship drifting series, with the goal of expanding and developing the motorsport of professional drifting in Asia. The 1st Singapore championship in 2008 signified our desire to transform drifting into a truly global mainstay and the Asian championship provides an opportunity for local drifters to compete, hone and learn from the very best. In 2010-11, the Formula Drift Asia championship will take place in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Supported by ESPN STAR Sports extensive broadcast network and event management expertise, the thrill of high-speed drifting will be showcased to millions of viewers in Asia and beyond, Please visit www.formuladriftasia.com for more information.
Based on Formula Drifting’s traditional “head-to-head battle” format, drivers attempt to qualify, in single judged runs, to be one of the 32 drivers that will enter the main competition bracket. During the bracketed “tandem battle” competitions, drivers are paired off in a head-to-head competition of skill and nerves in a championship format to determine one final winner.
About ESPN STAR Sports
ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world’s leading cable and satellite broadcasters. As Asia's biggest sports content provider, ESPN STAR Sports combines the strengths and resources of its parent companies – Walt Disney (ESPN, Inc.) and News Corporation Limited (STAR) – to deliver a diverse array of international and regional sports to fans across multiple platforms.
ESPN STAR Sports features a comprehensive portfolio of multimedia assets including its television networks (ESPN, STAR Sports, STAR Cricket, ESPNEWS, ESPN HD), broadband network (ESPN Player), digital content services (espnstar.com, mobileESPN), and its on-ground Event Management Group with the aim to engage and entertain sports fans anytime, anyplace.
ESPN STAR Sports showcases an unparalleled variety of premier sports from around the globe featuring some of the most iconic sports events to a cumulative reach of over 300 million viewers in Asia through its 21 television networks and 3 broadband network, each localized to deliver differentiated programming to meet diverse needs of Asian sports fans.
About PT Multistrada
PT Multistrada Arah Sarana Tbk, or ‘PT. MASA’ is an Indonesian tire manufacturer. MASA is a local tire producer with Achilles Radial brand for Passenger Car Radial and Corsa Motor Cycle Tire brand for Motor Cycle, and makes the offtake brand for domestic and international markets. Automotive tire manufacturer PT Multistrada Arah Sarana (MASA) was first established in 1991 and in 1994 commenced production of replacement tires for automobiles.
