#Performance Tuner Drift Series 16 Exhibition event
We are in Odaiba, Tokyo for the pre-season testing event, where all the teams will have their chance to see how their cars stack up against the competition. 14 teams in total have showed up, bringing a variety of cars. Today’s competition was a RWYB, but the technical inspectors have gone over the cars none the less to see if they conform to the rules.
The technical guys had this to say
Squidhead / Maesima MRZ3 KHT D - pass
Airjordan / Smooth Belfaw - pass
RK38 / Maesima MRZ3 - pass
DoriftoDorifto / Dimension Paradox 3 JB26 - Fail [Cooling requirement not met]
JohnWaldock / Dimension Paradox 3 JK33EI - Pass
Deskyx / Dimension Rift - Fail [Fuel system quality]
HowlerAutomotive / prodigy - Pass
Gridghost / Scarab Flare Orange X - Fail [stock vehicle submitted as drift spec] / Pass [team found their drift car and submitted it when they figured out what they did]
Matti / Shack Endurifto - Fail [Unable to run required fuel / Illegal aero setup]
Mardias / Storm Knight - Pass
4LGE / Taore Rax - Pass
STM316 / Venice - Fail [Cooling requirement not met]
Szafirowy / Luna VI - Fail [Engine provided is too old]
#Practice session 1
HowlerAutomotive 76
Matti 67
Airjordan 66
GridGhost 60
Szafirowy 58
Squidhead 52
Deskyx 50
RK38 48
Madrias 46
DoriftoDorifto 45
STM316 43
JohnWaldock 37
4LGE 24
The runs were pretty choppy, and the drivers nervous, many of the cars did not perform to the best of their abilities.
#Practice session 2
HowlerAutomotive 79
Matti 69
Airjordan 66
GridGhost 62
4LGE 59
Szafirowy 57
Squidhead 56
DoriftoDorifto 49
Deskyx 48
Madrias 43
RK38 43
STM316 41
JohnWaldock 36
#Qualification Runs
Best run of two counts as your qualifying run
75 HowlerAutomotive
70 Matti Shack Endurifto
68 Airjordan Smooth Belfaw
64 GridGhost Scarab Flare S
60 Szafirowy Zavir Luna VI
58 4LGE Taore RAX (Major crash in second qualifying run, car repaired for the 1vs1 battles tomorrow)
56 Squidhead Maesima MRZ V8
46 Deskyx RIFT D1 (Spin out in first qualifying run)
46 Madrias Storm Knight D1
45 RK38 Maesima MRZ-Drift
45 STM316 Venice 6.2
44 DoriftoDorifto Paradox 3 JB26
37 JohnWaldock Paradox 3 JK33
Tomorrow we’ll see the everybody paired off against each other running elimination rounds. Since we’re two people short of 16 we can allow first two qualifiers a pass into the next round instantly, or we can run top 8. We’ll decide later.
#1vs1 Tsuiso battles
###This is how the cars got paired off for the 1/8 final
####HowlerAutomotive - single run at 77 points
####Matti - single run at 66 points
####Airjordan - sinle run at 65 points
####GridGhost vs JohnWaldock
With GridGhost leading the first run and JohnWaldock following in the 3.3 liter Paradox 3 not much chance was left to John, as Gridghost pulled away and John’s car lacked in speed, angle and smooth lines. First run is 65 vs 36. As roles reversed Gridghost followed John’s car close enough allowing for some breathing room in case John had a spin. Judges saw that and the second run was judged at 62 vs 35, again in GridGhosts’ favour.
Winner - Gridghost
####Szafirowy vs DoriftoDorifto
Szafirowy led the first run in the bright red hatchback, followed by another Paradox3 on the grid, this time a 2.6 liter. The first run saw Dorifto being consistently on Szafirowy’s tail, but lacking in angle and stability, resulting in a score of 57 vs 48. The second run, as the competitors switched sides Dorifto once again lacked in smoke and missed the clipping point, with Szafirowy following suit on missing the line, but easily keeping up with Dorifo’s car. Speed was not a problem for the Luna, and the skill of keeping close to the car was marked by the judges. 60 vs 46
Winner - Szafirowy
####4LGE vs STM316
The smokemachine that is Taore Rax driven by 4LGE was in the lead with STM following in the 6.2 liter swapped Venice. 4LGE took advantage of the huge power output of the car smoking up the rear wheels to the cheering of the crowd, with STM follow suit matching the angle and the line. With both cars providing excellent entertainment STM’s car had problem keeping up with the sheer pace of 4LGE’s monstrous car. First round went to 4LGE with 63 vs 48. Second run we all expected 4LGE to sit tightly on STM’s tail, and the first corner was proving exactly that, but sadly he got too hot on the exit and clipped STM’s car. Both went into the wall hard, with STM managing to hold some resemblance of a drift after the severe impact, while 4LGE sprayed suspension and body parts all over the track. the result of the second run is 16 vs 0, with 16 going to STM. (FYI, both racers rolled a crash penalty, with STM rolling a less severe one, this isn’t just one racer rolling a bad run and me ruining it for both racers, it’s just me thinking up a scenario in which this could’ve happened). This result would’ve resulted in a One More Time run, but sadly, the race was over for 4LGE, as he ruined the chassis and couldn’t repair it in time. STM has a chance to repair his car before the next run (10% penalty for both runs in the next battle)
Winner - STM316
####Squidhead vs RK38
The battle of two Maesimas. Both teams running MRZ3, one factory and one aftermarket, this was a serious battle, with Squidhead leading the first run in the 6.2 liter swapped green coupe and RK38 following in the car retaining it’s OEM engine, although heavily modified. Both cars provided similar speed and lines with RK following closely to Squidhead, unfortunately for RK, the 6.2 liter N/A v8 allowed for a much higher angle and much more violent smoke. The run was decided by the second judge who gave the majority of his points to Squidhead, with 57 vs 44. The second run led by RK38 proved that Maesima factory team built a very stable car with the driver having no problems repeating his run, and while RK’s car was very slowly but surely pulling away, the amount of smoke and big angle from Squidhead won him the round, even though the judges did remove a few points for the v8 being slower. 54 vs 44
Winner - Squidhead
####Deskyx vs Madrias
Deskyx led the first run in the Dimension Rift with Madrias following in the Storm Knight. Deskyx made a good run for speed, leaving Madrias far behind, but Madrias replied with great angle and lots of smoke pleasing the crowd. This wouldn’t be much concern for Deskyx, but in pursuit of pure speed the Rift shallowed out so much that the run was given to Madrias with 51 vs 47. Second run started with Madrias leading and Deskyx following close. For the first half of the course we all thought this was going to be a close battle, but sadly on the transition to the left hander the knight bit the driver hard, spinning out, and Deskyx missing the car by a safe enough distance. Nobody got hurt, and most of the track was driven already so the judges agreed to score both cars. Deskyx receiving 47 points and Madrias only 31.
Winner - Deskyx
#The 1/4 Final
####Howlerautomotive vs Deskyx
Howler automotive led the first run with Deskyx following. The Rift had it’s fair share of shortcomings as it was not a well tested or battled car, raw, but Howler’s prodigy seemed to be tested just fine, with the run ending up in Howler automotive pulling away in clouds of smoke. 77 vs 48. The second run Deskyx had to pull serious moves to try and at least even out the run into OMT, he came in a bit too hot, losing control on the intiation, and crashed rear first straight into the concrete barrier. Howler saw the crash and changed the line drastically enough to go off the track, he knew that this round was won already. Deskyx has ruptured the fuel tank, twisted the chassis and ripped the whole rear subframe off. The car is a write off.
Winner - HowlerAutomotive
####Airjordan vs STM316
STM’s team did a formidable job of repairing the v8 venice, but sadly it was clear that the damage to the chassis meant the allignment was way off, making it even harder for the racer to compete against 3rd place qualifier. Airjordan led the first run, sadly some of the debris from the previous crash were still on track, which made the track even more dangerous than it was. Airjordan got lucky and passed the first corner with STM losing control right after initiation of the drift. The front end gripped hard and the car shot front first into the concrete barrier, relieving the car of the front end completely, the car is a writeoff.
Winner - Airjordan
####GridGhost vs Szafirowy
Both drifters have shown good results in the previous runs, but now facing off against each other it seemed to become really interesting. Szafirowy followed for the first run in the Luna VI with GridGhost running the Scarab in the front. Both drivers went into the first corner as aggressive as possible, with Gridghost pulling all the stops, but to no avail, Szafirowy followed his line perfectly, with the same angle. The judges agreed that both racers receive 59 points. Run 2 had Szafirowy leading. If anything this run was even more aggressive, both drivers being on the edge. The pressure, however seemed to not phase any of the competitors, with the driving becoming even better. Run 2 ended at 62 vs 63, Gridghost leading. This demanded an OMT run, which would take place after the next pair would have a go, since they were already waiting at the starting line.
Result - OMT
####Matti(the cheater in a non compliant car, but I’m not phased in any way, or actually salty about it, honest) vs Squidhead
Matti has had single runs so far, but finally he’d see some action, against KHT’s V8 Maesima. Matti would lead the first run in the Edurifto. Both cars have shown a good run, but Matti’s car has taken it in the first run, by pulling a stable good line through the entire course steadily leaving Squidhead behind. The first run went to Matti at 69 vs 57. Second run with Squidhead leading, and Squidhead has tried to improve on the result, but to no avail, the Endurifto was way too fast while providing similar angle and seemingly being easier to control. The round went to Matti again at 71 vs 58.
Winner - Matti
Szafirowy vs Gridghost OMT run
As Squidhead and Matti’s run was squared away both Szafirowy and Gridghost lined up for another tsuiso battle. This time Szafirowy would lead first. Gridghost has fared better in the waiting stage, with Szafirowy seemed rattled by the waiting and the pressure. While the run was quite good, Szafirowy has shown slight inconsistency and some correction to his lines and angle, while Gridghost simply ran his Scarab pretty much on Luna’s door the whole time, and as the final left hander came about ran wide, which seemed to be an accident, but resulted in a mother of all wallscratches. (yes, Gridghost rolled a 10% bonus to the score). The crowd went wild with judges receiving a face full of smoke and rubber. The first run went to Gridghost with 71 vs 61. The second run Gridghost was leading, feeling quite confident, Szafirowy following. Seeing the result of Gridghosts’ wall tap, Szafirowy knew that he had to go all out if he were to even run into another OMT against him. Running it safe would never cut it. The first corner came about, with Szafirowy coming in a bit too hot, he missed the Scarab by inches as he spun, and a second later landed driver side into the concrete barrier. Gridghost ran the next corner before seeing what happened, and straightening out. Szafirowy got the car to the pit zone while waving at the spectators, but ultimately the car was seriously damaged and the result of this battle was decided already
Winner - Gridghost
#1/2 final will include
Howler automotive, Matti, Gridghost and Airjordan.
####Howlerautomotive vs Gridghost
Gridghost just came out of a seriously deranged bit of driving in the OMT against Szafirowy feeling confident, but confidence was also high in team Howler, who let the first run. Both drifters too to the track scoring high on entry and extremely high speed, to keep up Gridghost had to go a bit less aggressive on the angle which also cost him from judge 3, who saw a lot of correction in the Scarab. The first run went to HowlerAutomotive with 77 vs 60. Second run was led by Gridghost. At the end of first turn Howler went in for the slow-down a bit too late clipping Gridghost, who was running at the very edge. This contact, however minor threw Gridghosts’ car into the barrier, Howler managed to avoid the wreck and slowed down. As judges left to see who was at fault in this the crowd waited patiently as both drifters waved at them. Judges returned with the verdict, Gridghost has slowed down a bit too early, prompting the contact. The run went to Howler automotive at 53 vs 11. Thankfully the car was not too badly damaged and did not need any serious repairs
Winner - Howlerautomotive
####Matti vs Airjordan
Matti was to lead the first run Airjordan following. The run was very close, with Airjordan following Matti extremely close, but as the final left hander came about a small correction on Airjordan’s part resulted in a spin, and the car rear ended the barriers. The run was judged at 69 vs 25, Matti leading. This did result in Airjordan’s car being damaged, specifically rear wheel was bent. The repairs were quickly done, but it was apparent that the rear camber settings were way off their original settings. Airjordan went on to lead the second run, knowing he had to pull one hell of a comeback. He pulled all the stops as closely as he could, but it wasn’t going to happen, Matti stayed on him like glue, and with previous run leaving Airjordan’s car damaged he did not have proper control of the thing, Matti showing an even better result than last time at 70 vs 58.
Winner - Matti.
#Run for the 3rd position
Both Airjordan and Gridghost have recovered their cars from a serious crash, Airjordan’s car being in a better shape a bit. First run would be led by Gridghost, who tried his best, but the car would not have it - Airjordan was right on him the entire run, also fighting his damaged beast, and managing to scrape the wall in T1 while holding the drift. The run was judged in Airjordan’s favour at 67 vs 49. Airjordan was to lead the next run. Run 2 was without much drama this time, as both drivers already figured out what’s going to happen. Airjordan went all out without pushing it too hard and Gridghost just nursed the car to the finish line. Judges saw this, allowing Airjordan to take the run aswell at 61 vs 50
Winner - Airjordan
#Finals
The finalists were Matti and Howlerautomotive, both running well all weekend, both cars lined up at the starting line, this was it.
Howler was to run first in the first … run… Both drifters have gone for a good aggressive approach, with Matti not being ready for the level Howler was pushing, and while he delivered a solid run, the speed, the smoke and the line all went to Howlerautomotive at 75 vs 67. The second run was separated by 7 points, so not all was lost, so Matti went for it in the lead. While he did improve on his result in the previous run, Howler did not let him off the hook, sticking right by him the entire run improving on his run aswell, with 77 vs 68 going to Howler automotive agian.
#Final results to follow
1st HowlerAutomotive
2nd Matti
3rd Airjordan
4tn Gridghost
