Press Release: Bakchis 12th in Series Championship Points Following Formula Drift Round 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Formula Drift Round 2 “Road to the Championship” wrapped up at Road Atlanta in Georgia on a rainy May 11, 2013. Several drivers proved to be strong contenders in the series, including Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis who finished in the Top 16 in his Nexen Tire Nissan 240SX.

 
After a successful practice session Bakchis qualified 11th and was paired with Toshiki Yoshioka in the Top 32 battle. Bakchis advanced to the Top 16 where he was paired with Darren McNamara under wet conditions. After initiation as the follow driver, Bakchis felt a mechanical failure and was unable to continue driving the car, finishing the event with Top 16 standings.

 
Over the first two events Bakchis has demonstrated consistent appearances in the main event and is currently 12th in series points. The series competitions continue on the east coast in Palm Beach, Florida on May 31 – June 1, 2013 and in Wall, New Jersey on June 21 – 22, 2013.

 
Bakchis has thanked his sponsors including Nexen Tire, United States Air Force, Feal Suspension, Torco Advanced Lubricants, 702 Graphics.com, Clutch Masters, Dstroyr, EBC Brakes, Battle Version, CBM, Holley EFI, Nitrous Express, Sikky Manufacturing, Top-Line Industrial Products, XXR Wheels, Weir Performance, and Mishimoto. Additional information regarding Bakchis and his drift program can be found at http://www.BakchisMotorsports.com.

 

Press Release: Bakchis Begins 2013 Drift Season with Good Standings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Formula Drift USA entered its tenth season on April 12-13 at the Streets of Long Beach course in southern California.  Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, 2011 Rookie-of-the-Year, debuted his LS3-powered Nexen Tire 240SX at the event with a strong showing.

After several off-season changes including a new motor and enhanced vehicle set-up, Bakchis was one of the first drivers to qualify at the event under the new “knock-out” qualifying format.  Qualifying 12^th, Bakchis was paired with Nexen Tire teammate Joon Maeng for the Top 32 tandem competition and then advanced to the Top 16 main event. 

Driving for a sold-out crowd, Bakchis was paired with Kenneth Moen for the Top 16 competition.  Moen’s rear bumper dragged behind the car and, as the following driver, Bakchis was forced to avoid the bumper that eventually detached and hit Bakchis’ vehicle.  Bakchis then completed his lead run and ultimately finished the event in good standings as 12^th overall in the series.

As 12^th overall after the first event, Bakchis has shown that he and his team will be a strong contender in the 2013 drift season.  Upcoming events for Bakchis include participation in the inaugural Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19-20 and Formula Drift Round 2 at Road Atlanta in Georgia on May 10-11.

Bakchis has thanked his sponsors for the strong season start including Nexen Tire, United States Air Force, Feal Suspension, Torco Advanced Lubricants, 702 Graphics.com, Clutch Masters, Dstroyr, EBC Brakes, Battle Version, CBM, Holley EFI, Nitrous Express, Sikky Manufacturing, Top-Line Industrial Products, XXR Wheels, and Mishimoto.  Additional information regarding Bakchis and his drift program can be found at www.BakchisMotorsports.com.

 

Written by Amy Bakchis

Bakchis Announces Partnership with the United States Air Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Aurimas Bakchis “Odi” announced today that he will be partnering with the United States Air Force for the 2013 drift season. Bakchis will be competing in each of the seven Formula Drift USA events as a partner with the United States Air Force in his LS3-powered Nexen Tire Nissan 240SX.

The United States Air Force is entering into the 5th season as a sponsor of the Formula Drift series, and Bakchis will be one of the drivers sponsored for the 2013 season. Regarding his new sponsor Bakchis stated “I had a great experience teaching a U.S. Air Force Airman to drift during the Drift into the Blue series in 2012. It was truly a pleasure to work with the U.S. Air Force in that capacity and now I am grateful to continue working with such a committed group of people. I look forward to continuing to work with an established organization that values teamwork and technology since these are my mantra for how I approach drifting.”

The Formula Drift USA season begins in Long Beach, California in April 2013. This will be Bakchis’ debut event as a partner of the United States Air Force and Bakchis is confident that the 2013 drift season will be promising with the support of such committed sponsors.

Additional information regarding Bakchis and his drift program can be found at http://www.bakchismotorsports.com.

Written by Amy Bakchis

Purple Bammer Jammer Power!

I was recently in Las Vegas to judge the first round of Vegas Pro Am (which was awesome). While I was at the track my car got a makeover at 702 Graphics because I know how to treat her right.

 

I left the car at the shop and it was black, judged the event, came back and the Nexen Tire Nissan 240SX was already Nexen- purple.

Add some graphic design.

Watch the wife help out.

Add some (not all) of the logos.  And then check out the new look, 2013 spring fashion at its best.

 

As always – thanks to 702 Graphics for making the car look sick!  Looking forward to starting the season!  Stay tuned for some additional exciting partnership news.

Gotta Know the Rules to Qualify

While reading the 2013 Formula Drift rules to prepare for next season, I came across the new qualifying format. It turns out that qualifying this year will be in a “knockout” format. Huh?

In short, the top 16 qualifiers will be determined after the first qualifying run. The remaining drivers (17 through X) will complete their second qualifying run and will keep the better score of the two runs. Those remaining drivers will then be seeded in the 17 through 32 qualifier positions. It also looks like there will be a scaled approach for awarding speed points, unlike the 0 and 10 point options we saw in 2012.

This will be interesting enough and seems like it will reward consistency from the start of each event. Unfortunately, it looks like this method will not reward a driver for laying down a perfect second run. We’ll see if this qualifying approach is put into action at Long Beach and, if it is, then I am definitely up for the challenge in the Nexen Tire S14.

 

Press Release: Nexen Tire USA to be Title Sponsor for Bakchis 2013 Drift Program

For immediate release (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) – Aurimas Bakchis (Odi) has announced that he will be driving for Nexen Tire USA during the 2013 Formula Drift season.  Bakchis partnered with Nexen Tire USA in 2012 and will continue to compete on Nexen tires with his Nissan 240SX S14.  With Nexen Tire USA as the title sponsor, Bakchis’ 2013 drift program will also include new partnerships and continued support from brands including Torco Advanced Lubricants, 702 Graphics, Feal Suspension, EBC Brakes, Clutch Masters, Top Line Industrial, Dstroyr clothing, Battle Version, CBM Motorsports, Weir Performance, XXR, and Sikky Manufacturing.  

Bakchis indicated that he is excited to compete in the LS-powered Nexen Tire Nissan 240 SX, which will boast new livery before the first Formula Drift event in Long Beach, California.  With a drift program backed by Nexen Tire USA, 2013 promises to be another successful drift season for Bakchis.

To stay informed regarding Bakchis and his drift program, additional information can be found at http://www.bakchismotorsports.com/.

 

Written by: Amy Bakchis

The new M7 Drive Energy Drink / Nexen tire S14 is alive!

Odi Bakchis tests his new car at Willow Springs from Brennan Lang on Vimeo.