FORMULA DRIFT JAPAN ROUND 2: EBISU / FORMULA DRIFT ROUND 3: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

May 25, 2016 by Formula DRIFT

Mad Mike Whiddett Wins Big In Japan

Long Beach, Calif. – May 24, 2016 – G-Shock presents Formula DRIFT Japan headed to the mountaintops of the famed Ebisu Circuit for the second round of the Formula DRIFT Japan Championship and third round of the Formula DRIFT World Championship. Mike Whiddett takes the victory in a Mazda RX-7.

A capacity crowded at the heralded jewel of Japan drifting came to the Ebisu Circuit to witness world-class competition from the top drivers in the sport.

'What an amazing event! To be here with the Formula DRIFT Japan team to witness this wonderful event and amazing competition was something any fan of drifting could only dream of,' said Ryan Sage, Vice-President of Formula DRIFT. 'Today I saw some of the best drifting in the world and I am proud to see all these drivers, from different walks of life, live out their dream at this legendary track.'

The finals saw Mike Whiddett take on famed Japanese drifter, Masashi Yokoi. Both drivers went door-to-door on both runs, but it was Whiddett's lead run that sealed the victory with a perfectly executed backwards entry. Yokoi lost his positioning as Whiddett accelerated to the final clip, which ended with the judges unanimously favoring Whiddett giving him the victory.

'This is my first Formula DRIFT victory since 2009 in Thailand, but the level now is at an all-time high, so words can't begin to describe the feeling right now,' said Mike Whiddett, winner of the event. 'In drifting you can't win by pushing 115 percent or by 98 percent. You have to be really focused.'

The 2016 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship will continue to Round 3: Unchartered Territory on June 3-4 at Orlando Speedworld. For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaD, and snapchat formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.