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Pat Goodin's best finish for 2013 would come at Irwindale as he would be defeated by Tyler McQuarrie and his GoPro Camaro. Pat has interesting plans in the works for 2014 and I'm pretty excited to see how he will do next season. He was another driver who improved each round this year and this result was due. Tyler McQuarrie would move on to the Great 8.
The first battle of the Great 8 would be the biggest of the entire season. This would be the battle that would make or break a championship as Daigo Saito would be the toughest opponent that Chris Forsberg would face all season. Not just because the pressure was on Chris for the championship, but also because there was no pressure on Daigo to perform to gain a championship. This advantage would prove to be useful as Daigo Saito would knock out Chris Forsberg in the Great 8, ending Chris Forsberg's 2013 season and his hopes for another championship.
None of us had time to let that sink in as we were still in the Great 8. The next pair was Dean Kearney and Robbie Nishida and this was where Kearney's use of his one and only Competition Time Out would come back to bite him. His rear tires had finally begun to degrade and it was beginning to show even before he could do his follow run against Nishida. Just before the finish line, Dean's right rear tire blew out and briefly caught fire. Dean's lead run wasn't enough to surpass Robbie and Nishida would move on to the Final Four to face teammate Daigo Saito and engage in what I feel was actually the best battle of 2013.
Vaughn Gittin, Jr's good luck had been all used up. While following Forrest Wang, Vaughn made a major correction that cost him the win. Forrest Wang would move on while Vaughn Gittin, Jr. would once again be unable to make it to the Final Four at Irwindale. His last Final Four appearance was in 2010, where he was crowned champion and made it to the finals against Tanner Foust.
Fredric Aasbo, who is so well known for his deft left foot and mostly consistent runs, did not display his usual prowess and earned a zero on his lead run. This advantage would not be lost on Tyler and McQuarrie would wait to see who he would face in the Final Four.
As I mentioned just a few pictures ago, this was the best battle of 2013. Again, my opinion, but you couldn't help but pick you jaw up off the floor after the run that Daigo Saito and Robbie Nishida put down. Both drivers didn't let up, both drivers showed what drifting was all about. Despite being not only tire teammates, but actual teammates, Daigo Saito would be inches off the door of Robbie. Daigo showed why he was champion last year and showed what being a true D1 driver really meant in this run. Robbie was no slouch either, but he would also make contact with the wall on the inner bank resulting in a loss. Daigo would be guaranteed a podium spot for Irwindale.
Tyler McQuarrie would be the driver to face off against Daigo Saito after he was able to out perform Forrest Wang in the Final Four. While Tyler has been in this position before, this would be the best result for Forrest Wang in his Formula Drift Career even if it was a fourth place finish.
