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| Finally, the moment he had been waiting for. The gaurenteed chance to get a podium spot. He had to fight through four tough battles, 8 different runs. All leading up to here where he would make his hard work worth it. Both he and his competitor have been here several times before and have even faced each other in the past. However, only one could get that guarantee. However, it would be a mistake that would cost him that chance. |
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| On Rhys Millen's lead run, he just got a tire off coming off the bank. That, combined with a great run by Vaughn Gittin, Jr., Vaughn would move on to try and take a win for the second event in a row. |
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| The fight put on by Ken Gushi and Ryan Tuerck was neck and neck on the first pair of runs. So close that a One More Time was called, the first of the entire weekend. On the first pass of the One More Time, Ken Gushi led while Tuerck followed more closely this time. However, it would be that run that determined the outcome. Tuerck was able to create a gap from the bank until nearly the middle of the last rear clipping zone. It forced Gushi to sacrifice line to catch up and gave Ryan Tuerck the win into the Finals. |
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| However, the determination of the winner would have to wait until Ken and Rhys Millen figured out who would come in Third Place. The speed and the torque of the V6 Turbo Genesis coupe would be hard to fight against the four cylinder boxer Turbo of the FR-S. Again, because of the surge and sacrifice of speed and angle into the final rear zone, Ken Gushi in the Greddy/Hankook Scion FR-S would give the advantage to Rhys Millen in the Hyundai/Hankook Hyundai Genesis. Rhys Millen will take Thrid Place this day. |
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| This could be the Drift Alliance battle of the year. The fight for First Place, you really can't get more epic than that. Both Ryan Tuerck in the RETAKS/Maxxis Tires Nissan 240SX and Vaughn Gittin, Jr. in the Monster Energy/Falken Tire Ford Mustang have met before in competition, several times. The odds were 5-to-1, in Vaughn's favor. It didn't matter, really. Both drivers put on a show that left fans standing, cheering, and wanting more. |
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| They would be denied that, as the judges found in favor of Vaughn Gittin, Jr., who is the second driver this season to have won consecutively. With thoses 2 wins and gaining Number One and Two Qualifier in the past 4 rounds, the Monster Energy/Falken Tires driver is now sitting on top of the points standings as well. |
Third Place, Rhys Millen
“Real happy, you know, we felt really good in pre-practice. Kind of made a mistake in qualifying, getting 28th. But, I knew that if the car was straight and I put in a good run we would be right there in Top 5. We had an insane bracket. Top 32 with Chris Forsberg. Top 16 with Daijiro Yoshihara. Great 8, Matt Field, got a little easier. Final Four, Vaughn Gittin, Jr. So, it's like, when was it going to stop. It was like in every round, 'Am I in the Finals?'”
Second Place, Ryan Tuerck
“It was a ton of hard work. I came down to Portland to work on the car at PSI and just to get everything together. There were some issues I wanted to iron out with the car and we came into the weekend, I just wasn't really feeling it. The car was fighting me the whole time and I actually put it into the wall in last nights practice. We spent all hours of the night working on the thing and putting it back together. I really feel that was when the stone was turned over was putting in all that hard work and coming fresh the next day and just being like 'alright this is it.'”
“It feels great to get Maxxis Tires back on the podium. When they left the sport, they were one of the top tire manufacturers compeating in Formula Drift. To be able to come back here and bring Maxxis Tires back into the sport and now put them back on the podium, they are going to be excited along with the rest of the RETAKS team.”
Winner of Formula Drift Seattle, Vaugh Gittin, Jr.
“It takes not giving up and a lot of teamwork. You know, we had a rough start to the season and we put it all behind us and Jersey we had a turning point and I committed to myself and the team that I'm not going to do those dumb mistakes anymore. I feel like I've found myself again, some times it takes longer than others to get focused and we're asked to go out against some of the best drivers in the world and not make any mistakes. It's very challenging, it just feels so good to work together as a team, communicate, strategize, and put it all together.”
When it comes to the judging this year, “You know, I don't really into worrying about what the judging is or is not. We're in a subjective sport, it's what I signed up for… I just go out there, drive as hard as I can, and do what the judges ask for and hope it goes my way.”
Should we call it a comeback? “'Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years!'” he quoted while laughing.
