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Watch too many movies like Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and you’ll get the impression that drifting is only for imports, but that’s not always the case. Luckily, many drivers recognize the capabilities of American cars in addition to their overseas rivals on the drift circuit and have incorporated them quite well into one of the hottest competitive American automotive series – Formula DRIFT. Check out Luke Lonberger tearing it up and showing what American-made metal is capable of at the last Formula D event behind the wheel of his Blu808 C6 Corvette above.
Formula D has given competitive drivers a new outlet for their passion in the last few years, an outlet that not only pits teams against one another in competition but takes driving a race course to a whole new level. And while there are plenty of imports used in competition, it’s the American cars that seem to hit the spot for many Formula D fans.
Among the drivers in Formula D is Luke Lonberger, who pilots the No. 28, 2005 C6 Corvette in competition. While it may not seem like a typical drift car, this red Vette is a wonder to see on the track, keeping up with any import. And this continued to ring true at the fourth-round race of the 2012 Formula Drift series held at New Jersey’s Wall Speedway.
Pinned against the No. 430 Lexus piloted by Japan’s Daigo Saito, the number two ranked driver in Formula D this year, Lonberger pushed his Corvette hard, impressing the judges during his lead run. Unfortunately, his luck turned during the following chase run when mid-turn, Lonberger spun his Corvette, giving Saito the win and a chance to advance to the next round.
Imports won this round, but we’re sure Lonberger will be back out on the track defending the red, white and blue when round five of Formula D hits Monroe, Washington at the end of July. Lonberger qualified 16th for round 4, his best qualifying position yet, so we can’t wait to see what kind of heat him and his C6 drift car bring to the second half of the 2012 Formula D season.
