2008 REDBULL WDC // O'CONNELL RECAP

RUSSELL O’CONNELL RACE RECAP //

The air was filled with smoke, and ash was everywhere from brush fires burning to the North. Many people were walking around with handkerchief's and dust masks, but a steady breeze from the ocean cleared the air on Sunday and kept the temperatures bearable. Formula D did a terrific job converting a dusty pier into the site of a world class event. There were some minor issues with the contracted staff services such as not enough trash cans but at least there were way too many port-o-potties!

This event had several changes to the judging format and the FD staff went out of their way to make sure the competition was run in a way, as to avoid any appearance of being rigged in favour of the FD drivers. Qualifying order was determined by a random drawing via the 'draw party' on Friday night. Saturday's qualifying session determined the pairs for the 'Dirty 32' brackets for Sunday's final competition.

Drifting is a full contact sport. Last weekend saw the tow truck get plenty of use with drivers hitting walls (and each other) at regular intervals. The judges mercilessly ask the drivers to drive as close to the walls and their competitors as possible, which is a recipe for destruction that would put NASCAR to shame. The walls did not discriminate, taking out drivers like Vaughn Gittin JR and Samuel Hubinette. Most initiations were in the high 90 mph range but several of the drivers managed the promised 100 mph entry speeds, with the highest speed clocked at 103.6 mph!

Sunday's finals saw the international competition slowly get eliminated by the FD drivers through superior driving and machinery. The only non FD driver in the Great 8 rounds was Mad Mike Whiddett from New Zealand and the legendary Katsuhiro Ueo of Japan. Whiddet was a little too aggressive and ravaged the wall on both runs, handing the round to Tanner Foust. The Great 8 battle between Dai Yoshiara was THE battle of the night, that took a ‘one more time’ round to settle.

In the final round between Rhys Millen and Dai Yoshihara, the initiation and first corner were equal, however Millen’s smaller, faster car was able to pull away at the 2nd clipping point. On the second run with Yoshihara leading, Millen was all over him, putting huge pressure on Dai, just inches from his door. The pressure proved too much and Dai overcooked it and spun at the 2nd corner handing the first ever RedBull World Drift Championship to Rhys Millen.

The podium ceremony was held in the pits and accessible to the fans. RedBull put up a huge purse, with Rhys Millen taking home a check for $25,000. The single largest purse in drifting history. Dai Yoshihara is $15,000 richer and third place Tanner Foust took home a cool $10,000. When announcer Jarod DeAnda asked the crowed if they wanted RedBull to host the World Championship again next year, the stands erupted in a screaming, standing ovation. The City of Long Beach was also an integral part of the event providing fire trucks and crew, a sweeper truck, and unprecedented access to the port and city. Unfortunately the RBWDC site will be filled up with brand new Mercedes cars fresh off the boat and a return to the Port of Long Beach location is uncertain...

ColdTrackDays would like to thank Formula D, RedBull, and the city of Long Beach for a stellar event! Make it happen again, bigger and better! And be sure not to miss the RBWDC episodes on SPEED beginning December 21st. Video comes courtesy of Wrecked Magazine // 11.19.2008