Double Trouble at Formula Drift Long Beach
GT Radial began defense of its 2023 Formula DRIFT Tire Cup Championship on April 13 with a double podium finish at the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Road 1 in Long Beach, CA.
GT Radial driver Simen Olsen of Norway claimed 2nd place in his Feal Suspension Nissan S14.9, while Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis of Lithuania finished third in his Feal Suspension/GT Radial Nissan S15 in the rain-soaked competition on the Streets of Long Beach. James Deane of Ireland was awarded first place.
Olsen was comfortable in the slick conditions thanks to years of winter ice drifting. He finished 4th overall last year after joining Bakchis at Team Feal. Bakchis is no stranger to the podium, claiming a number of wins since joining the series in 2011. Many pundits feel it’s a matter of time before he claims his first season championship.
