Achilles Asian Drift Series is Coming Back To Town

Following a successful inaugural season last year, the Achilles Asian Drift Series returns for a second season with a four-leg campaign across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, with a bolstered cast of top drifters ready to thrill motorsport fans once again across the region.

With Daigo ‘The Ninja’ Saito successfully defending his Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia crown last weekend in Kuala Lumpur, the best drifters are set to take the battle next to the Singapore leg come 30th June and 1st July at the Changi Exhibition Centre.

Daigo’s biggest nemesis on the circuit, drift legend Manabu ‘Max’ Orido will aim to avenge his defeat in Malaysia when the two Japanese drifters take center stage once again in Singapore. They will face stiff competition from the likes of American drift stars Ken Gushi and Robbie Nishida and regional drivers such as Malaysia’s Prince of Drift Tengku Djan Ley, New Zealand’s Daynom Templeman and Indonesia’s Emmanuel ‘Dio’ Armandio. Singapore will be well represented with a pack of six seasoned drifters such as Jansen Tan, Ivan Lim, Felix Lim, Vincent Ng,
Jason Tan, and Geoveen Hi.

Judged on speed, style, line and angle, this year’s campaign would comprise more than 30 contenders across Asia Pacific including Indonesia and Australia. Drifting is a highly-skilled motorsport with an emphasis on control in high speed. A typical competition will include two cars sliding sideways at marked bends. With roots in Japan, it was brought to the world’s attention and exploded in popularity among fans of traditional racing and extreme motorsports.

A new addition to this year’s series will be the Canon Nations Cup, which is an exact opposite of the traditional Formula Drift tandem battles. The Canon Nations Cup sees a pair of drivers from the same country put together two tandem runs where unison and teamwork is the key to securing the much coveted title.

Fans witnessed Daigo and Orido nail a perfect score of 30 in Malaysia to be the first-ever Nations Cup champions at the weekend. The Singapore crowd will now have an opportunity to see if the stylish duo can retain their crown at the Changi Exhibition Centre with another perfect score. 6 nations are expected to participate in the Canon Nations Cup at the Singapore leg of the Achilles Asian Drift Series 2012.

With the popularity of the drifting sport on the rise, this year’s Achilles Asian Drift Series sees the return of title sponsor
Achilles Radial and a new Presenting Sponsor in Canon. Achilles Formula Drift Singapore 2012, presented by Canon is organized by ESPN STAR Sports Event Management Group and supported by the following Sponsors & Partners – Motul (Official Sponsor), Toyota 86 (Official Car), 9tro (Official Magazine), Singapore Tourism Board (Supporting Partner), X-mini (Official Partner) and Global Access Logistics (Preferred Logistics Partner). STAR Sports is the official broadcaster and the coverage will be aired across its networks, covering 24 countries to a cumulative reach of more than 300 million viewers in Asia.

The panel of judges include Andy Yen, one of the original Formula Drift judges, Daijiro Yoshihara, a Pro Championship driver
who was the overall USA Champion for 2011 and Formula Drift Asia judge Benjamin Khoo. Jarod DeAnda, the “voice” of Formula Drift will once again be providing colour commentary at the event.

Credits: wilswong