Top Achievers Recognized at 2018 Formula Drift Awards

Top Achievers Recognized at 2018 Formula Drift Awards

Nicole Ellan James
October 29, 2018
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With the conclusion of Round 8 of the 2018 Formula Drift season, Formula Drift held its annual awards banquet and honored the top drivers, newcomers, fan favorites and the people who play an important part behind the scenes. 

2018 Formula Drift Pro Awards:

2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship: James Deane

Fan-Favorite Driver: James Deane

Top Qualifier of the Year: James Deane


Auto Manufacturer’s Cup: Toyota

Giving Back Award: Daijiro Yoshihara

Perfect Event Award: Fredric Aasbo

Team Manager of the Year: Stephan Papadakis from Papadakis Racing

Most Improved Driver of the Year: Matt Field

Tire Manufacturer’s Cup: Falken


Fan-Favorite Car: Ford Mustang RTR driven by Chelsea Denofa

Hardest Charger: Chelsea Denofa

Rookie of the Year: Dirk Stratton

Best Drifting Style: Forrest Wang

Crew Chief of the Year: Garrett Nikolich from Forrest Wang’s Get Nuts Lab


Takedown of the Year: Piotr Wiecek


Comeback of the Year: Matt Coffman at FD Seattle, where he qualified 22nd and finished eighth.

Spirit of Drifting: Michael Essa

Special Recognition: Chris Forsberg for being the first driver to surpass 200 wins in head-to-head FD battles.

Spotter of the Year: Amy Bakchis


Crew Member of the Year: Stan Williams from Justin Pawlak Racing

2018 Formula Drift Pro2 Awards:

  • 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro2 Championship: Travis Reeder
  • Fan-Favorite Driver: Dylan Hughes
  • Fan-Favorite Car: Nissan 350Z driven by Alec Robbins
  • Top Qualifier of the Year: Brandon Schmidt
  • Rookie of the Year: Sebastien Gauthier
  • Most Improved of the Year: Crick Filippi
  • Comeback of the Year: Travis Reeder at FD St Louis, where he qualified 14th and won the event.

For more information, see Formula Drift.