Scion-supported Formula DRIFT driver Tanner Foust, who debuted the Papadakis Racing-built Rockstar Energy Drink Scion tC at the season opener with a third place victory, jumped onto the Formula DRIFT podium’s top spot scoring a victory at Round 4 in Las Vegas in 2009. Check out Rockstar Scion tC in drift action video after the jump.
Scion Rockstar Energy Drink AEM Scion Tc 2009
TORRANCE, Calif. (July 14, 2009) – Scion-supported Formula DRIFT driver Tanner Foust, who debuted the Papadakis Racing-built Rockstar Energy Drink Scion tC at the season opener with a third place victory, jumped onto the Formula DRIFT podium’s top spot scoring a victory this past weekend at Round 4 in Las Vegas.
“The Rockstar team and I went from zero to hero after failing to qualify for the main competition last event,” said Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust. “I am so proud of my team. They worked hard to fix the issues of the Rockstar Scion tC, and I now feel comfortable and feel that this car has more potential than it’s ever had.”
Despite Las Vegas’ sweltering 105-degree temperature, Foust drove his Scion tC through the competitive “Top 32” ladder of top-level drivers before finally knocking out Ryuji Miki in the final round.
“Tanner’s win in the Rockstar Scion tC is a huge accomplishment for the team and everyone involved,” said team manager and car builder Stephan Papadakis. “With this being only our fourth event in the tC, it just shows the dedication and drive to win for the whole Scion team."
The win earned Foust 100 points in the Formula DRIFT series, and he now sits in eighth place, just 61 points away from the current points-leader. With three rounds remaining, Foust and the rest of the Papadakis Racing team look forward to Round 5 with confidence.
“It’s an unbelievable sight to see a Scion tC tearing it up on the course and an incredible feeling to have one take home a victory,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion’s auto show and special events manager. “With both teams gaining momentum and confidence, we hope it’s only a matter of time before Scion is victorious again.”
Scion-backed Formula DRIFT driver Ken Gushi arrived in Las Vegas with confidence stemming from his Round 3 fourth-place finish in New Jersey. During qualifying, Gushi, in the RS-R Scion tC, impressed the crowd and the judges with his fast entries and aggressive transitions, earning him a spot in the “Top 32” round of tandem battles.
Pit up against Tyler McQuarrie in the first battle, Gushi put up an aggressive fight that had to be settled in a “One More Time” second battle. During the “One More Time” battle, Gushi applied great pressure as he chased McQuarrie through the course but fell victim to a round-ending spin.
“We came to Las Vegas ready for anything,” said Gushi. “The track was hotter than usual, but the tC ran phenomenal and I’m definitely feeling in sync with the car. We’re going to make a few changes to the tC and I look forward to the next battle in Seattle.”
Three rounds remain to hunt for points for the championship title, with the next event landing in Seattle on August 7-8.
