NOV 20th 2009: FREDRIC AASBØ & TEAM JAPAN AUTO SMOKE OUT SOLBERG EXTREME MOTORSHOW
The inaugural Solberg Extreme Motorshow, held in Oslo, Norway this November, drew the attention of the worldwide rally scene. The sold-out event packed the Telenor Arena Stadium to it's limits, still leaving several thousand fans waiting outside. Featuring many of the worlds best rally and racing drivers, the event promised to be one you would not want to miss. Fredric Aasbo and Team Japan Auto took part at the historic event, invited to run for the drifting competition victory award.
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After an incredibly high-paced two-day rebuild of the Competition Supra by the Japan Auto Crew prior to the event, Fredric Aasbo and his machine got through the qualification run and was set to compete in the final. After smoking out the Telenor Arena Stadium with fellow competitor Kenneth Moen, the judges announced Fredric as the winner of the Solberg Extreme Motorshow Drifting Competition.
The success being a true testament to the determination and abilities of the Japan Auto crew, Fredric proudly acknowledges the team spirit. - What a way to wrap up the 2009 season! Essentially every part from the white Supra was transferred to our US Formula DRIFT Competition Supra earlier this fall. Hence, we really had to put our efforts together to get the white Supra up and running in time - and we did. Despite losing every practice opportunity we went out there and did what we could to put on a show for the 15 000 live spectators! I would like to direct a special thanks to our fans, partners and sponsors. We would not have been here without your support!
When asked about his off-season plans, Fredric reveals some of his ambitions. - We are currently looking at a couple of options to run the full 2010 Formula DRIFT Series in the United States. 10 days ago I went to Essen Motor Show in Germany to look into our options, and we have some great plans cooking for the upcoming season. 2010 will be awesome - I can't wait!
Fredric Aasbo is the most winningest North European drifting driver, sponsored by JapanAuto, BS Bildeler, PBC Auto, CRC, Meguiars, BlackBox Media and Auto-Sign. Follow Fredric Aasbo and his drifting ventures on www.fredricaasbo.com, www.facebook.com, www.powerdrift.no and www.gatebil.no.
For further details and partner opportunities, please contact team@fredricaasbo.com.
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SEP 10th 2009: Fredric Aasbo and Team Japan Auto HEADS TO THE US and the Formula DRIFT Finals!
Following Fredric Aasbo & Team Japan Autos successful European drifting ventures this year, the Japan Auto crew is getting ready for their return to United States and the final round of the US Formula DRIFT Championship on October 16th-17th. The final will be held at the infamous "House of Drift": Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California, known for its steep banking and hard walls surrounding the track. Fredric is eagerly anticipating the event.
- The Formula DRIFT Championship is the pinnacle of international drifting, and we competed against many of these guys at last years Red Bull Drifting World Championship. Back home, we have won the last 8 events we have participated in, and we could not have asked for a better season leading up to the Formula DRIFT Finals. We have worked hard to improve the Japan Auto Supra, which is now more powerful and has more grip than ever. Last years car was a modified street car - we now have a race car. We are heading out to learn more from the big guys, and I can't wait to go back to Sunny California and go up against the best!
The Team Japan Auto Supra will be running on Falken AZENIS RT-615 tires at Irwindale, which is the same tire that brought the team to a position as the best European team at last years Red Bull Drifting World Championship.
- Falken Heavy Hitter Vaughn Gittin Jr. took the victory at Irwindale last year and the Falken Tire crew is highly experienced in car setups and planning for this track. We are grateful for the support from Falken Tire, and we will definitely be putting our efforts in to make them proud!
Fredric Aasbo is the most winningest North European drifting driver, sponsored by Japan Auto, BS Bildeler, PBC, BlackBox Media and Panvulk/CRC. Team Japan Auto is currently seeking title sponsorship for the remaining 2009 events and 2010 ventures in Europe and in the US.
Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver's driving ability and vehicle control. Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship (www.formulad.com).
For further details and partner opportunities, please contact team@fredricaasbo.com.
JUL 27th 2009: After six consecutive wins, Fredric Aasbo and Team Japan Auto RANK ON TOP of all three rankings as the Nordic/Norwegian 2009 drifting season reaches midway!
After placing first at Powerdrift Round 2 and Round 3, Nordic Drifting Series Round 1, and at each of the three GATEBIL events in Norway and Sweden, Aasbo and Team Japan Auto is on top of all three rankings. We let Fredric recap the tremendous season opening!
- We are so stoked! The events have been crazy so far, and I am extremely thankful for the support given by the entire crew, Team Japan Auto, engine tuner PBC Auto and my good friends over at Heckschläude. I think our team have a good vibe going, and the team guys keep telling me they have a lot of fun as we go. I can't disagree!
- I think the key to our success so far is that we have had a very reliable car platform. Rather than having to solve mechanical issues along the way we have been able to go out there, have fun and focus on all the details which eventually may help you get better on what's really the point of drifting: Driving. We went up against D1GP Champion Daigo Saito last weekend and learnt alot from driving with him. We got the thumbs up from him and when that's coming from one of the worlds best drift drivers it really warms your heart.
When asked about his expectations for the season as a whole, Fredric reveals he is trying to stay calm.
- Drifting is drifting, and as all competitors are going balls out you have to stay on top of your game to have a chance to end up on the podium. Last weekend, at the GATEBIL Festival attracting tens of thousands of spectators, we saw that the driving is reaching new levels in terms of commitment. Drivers are charging hard, resulting in very close runs as well as minor hits and upsets. It's a nerve wrecking experience for both drivers, teams and spectators and you never know how you will get on. We all have to face that drifting is an action packed sport where you will be slipping at some point. Hence, I try to be pragmatic when it comes to results and take whatever is thrown at you. There is a lot of talent out there, and it's very interesting to follow the sport as it progresses, I'm just very happy to be able to take part in the sport.
The Japan Auto Toyota Supra is a new build for this season, and the goal of the car has been to improve the performance of last years Toyota Supra. How do you like the new Japan Auto Supra?
- It's better than last years car in all aspects - grip, power, speed and driveability. The 2008 car is located in Los Angeles, and we are working on improving the red car with what we've learned so far in this season. We are looking at further competition on US soil, and originally our goal was to do the Long Beach Formula D season opener. Due to the tight schedule of our home events we have not been able to focus much on US events so far, but we have some plans cooking for the autumn. We're going full speed forward, so let's see where it takes us!
For further details and partner opportunities, please contact team@fredricaasbo.com.
NOV 27th 2008: Team Japan Auto BEST EUROPEAN TEAM at the Red Bull Drifting World Championship!
Coming all the way from Norway, Fredric Aasbø and Team Japan Auto took part at the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship in California mid-November. The event was held at a secret location at the Port of Long Beach, and Fredric was invited amongst the World's 32 top drifting drivers. Putting down a truly awesome performance, Fredric and the Team Japan Auto crew managed to place best out of the 7 top European teams invited.
- We showed up in probably the least modified car and ended up leaving nearly two thirds of the field behind us, Fredric says. - We beat all of the other half a dozen European teams, and I am really proud of the performance put down by the Team Japan Auto crew. Despite low budgets and little previous experience with international drifting we have definitely proved we are a force to be reckoned with!
Fredric would like to thank all of the people backing the team before, during and after the World Championship for their support. The Nordic drifting community, from individuals to partnering companies, has helped funding the trip, some of them spending their hard earned pocket money helping the team get abroad. The support given and cheering has been nothing but astonishing. Being able to compete on this level has boosted Fredric and the Team's enthusiasm for the sport and the cameradery even further. - We have made good friends in the US, Fredric says, and our urges for more US drifting has only grown stronger!
September 1st 2008:
Fredric Aasbø and Team Japan Auto Federal wins 2008 Nordic Drifting Series - Second Year in a Row!
As the smoke settled after the sixth and final round of the Nordic Drifting Series - held at the infamous Alastaro Circuit in Finland - Fredric Aasbø and Team Japan Auto Federal stood victorious as the Nordic Drifting Series 2008 champion.
As a driver, Fredric would like to thank ALL partners, friends and drifting enthusiasts for a truly GREAT season! We truly appreciate the support and help we are given and have done our best to return the favours. Together we have had so much pleasure from doing what we love the most, and will do our very best to stay focused on what is most important: Having fun out there!
Next up is the Red Bull Drifting World Championship in Long Beach, California, USA, in November. We can't wait!
Fredric Aasbø - Biography
Born and raised in the midst of the Scandinavian countryside, Fredric’s Dad quickly introduced him to the Norwegian rally scene. As a youngster he was let into a go-kart, and proved his car control skills at an early age being very fast under slippery conditions. Discovering drifting as a 17 year old in 2002 got him hooked on the new form of motorsport, and the young Norwegian eventually got his own entry level drift car three years later.
Becoming 2007 and 2008 Nordic Drifting Series Champion with Team Japan Auto and pulling consecutive qualification poles and podium finishes in the 2008 Pro Drift European Series have led the way to his US debut at the 2008 Red Bull Drifting World Championship in Long Beach, CA. Being very enthusiastic about the art of drifting and eager to take on new challenges, Fredric is a guy who goes all in whenever he gets the chance.
Read more @ Prodrift
Copyright 2008 - Team Japan Auto Federal & Fredric Aasbø. Pictures courtesy of Christoffer Johansson, Hans Lehtinen, Hege Semb Hauknes, Camilla S. Tofterå and others.
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