By: Nissan Canada Inc
October 12 2016
Irwindale, California – Under the smoke and lights of Irwindale Speedway in California, Chris Forsberg became the first three-time Formula Drift World Champion. This achievement comes after a record-setting season, with Forsberg taking six consecutive podiums in his Nissan 370Z.
While Forsberg led the championship standings over 2015 Champion Fredric Aasbo coming into the deciding weekend at Irwindale Speedway, the Maryland native needed a strong performance to seal the deal. Spirits were high as Forsberg's 1,000-hp VK56-powered 370Z wailed in a cloud of smoke against underdog Pat Mordaunt. That all came to a grinding halt when a slight miscalculation sent Forsberg's car careening into the wall. The night was over for Forsberg after only one battle of the Top 16 – potentially disastrous consequences for the 2016 Championship.
With Aasbo facing seasoned veteran Matt Field, Forsberg and team watched intently from the sidelines. An unforced error from Aasbo caused his car to tap Fields' and left Forsberg's team feeling hopeful, until Field's car had a mechanical issue at the end of his run. Using every second of the five-minute "Competition Time Out," Fields' crew fixed the car and got out to the start line just in time.
With a strong performance on his second pass, Field took the battle, sending Aasbo out of competition and officially crowning Forsberg as the 2016 Formula Drift World Champion.
"It's an amazing feeling to win the championship three times now, and also break our 2014 podium record," said Forsberg. "It just goes to show that consistency pays off. We may not have won a round this year, but we won the Championship, and that is our goal every year."
Forsberg credits his strong consistent performance to his team and the all-Nissan platform they have worked to master.
"The VK56 is just an insane engine," said Forsberg. "Our fully developed 370Z chassis is incredibly powerful and reliable. It's the reliability that it takes to win a Championship."
Forsberg looks forward to chasing a fourth title in the 2017 Formula Drift Season that kicks off in Long Beach next spring.
NISMO Calendar
October 15-16
FIA WEC, Fuji Speedway, Japan
October 22-23
ELMS, Estoril, Portugal
Australian Supercars, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/
About Nissan Canada Inc.
Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America, Inc. NCI directly employs 306 full-time staff across offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC). There are 191 independent Nissan dealerships, 39 Infiniti retailers and 45 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers across Canada. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards.
More information about Nissan in Canada and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissan.ca and www.infiniti.ca.