Shopping Basket
News
Formula D Round 3, Wall NJ
ASD and SS are Dominant!
The 2009 Formula D season has been good for the Autosport Dynamics (ASD) crew. With a 2nd place qualifying at the first round of competition in Long Beach, and a 2nd place podium at Road Atlanta for round 2 a month later, we had big expectations for the Sears Auto Center / Falken Tire Saturn Sky.
Thursday was an open practice for most of the 34 drivers that would compete for the top 32 spots for the Saturday main event. The weather was a bit off and on, and we were able to get both a wet and dry setup on the car as the weather was a bit iffy for the main event. By the end of the Thursday practice, Darren McNamara was looking unbeatable in the Kappa, and we were excited to qualify on Friday.
Mother nature had other plans however. We awoke to rain and cold Friday morning, but headed to the track anyway, hoping for a dry spell prior to qualifying. After a few hours at the track, it was determined by the Formula D officials that the track was too poor to drive on, and we would have our qualifying on Saturday morning prior to the main event. We packed up our bags and headed back to the hotel.
Saturday morning arrives early, and the ASD staff are ready to go. We arrive on track early, and get the Saturn Sky ready for Darren to take on track. We have a few practice laps to warm up for qualifying, and Darren is looking good. At the end of qualifying, Darren is sitting in the 4th spot with an 93.9 score. According to the Formula D bracket, that faces us up against Jeff Jones in his Nissan 240SX (S13).
Top 32 tandem begins, and Darren lines up against Jeff.The Sears Auto Center / Falken Tire Saturn Sky is far too much for Jeff to handle, and Darren advances to the Top 16 easily.
Top 16 faced us up against Ryuji Miki in the HankookFD3S RX-7. The first lap is very close and it is anyone's game at this point. On the 2nd lap however, Darren gives chase on Ryuji Miki and stays on his door even though Miki has a poor line. Darren wins and moves on to the Great 8.
The Great 8 paired us up against long time rival Samuel Hubinette in the Dodge Viper. Darren leads the first lap and Hubinette gives a close chase and sticks close to Darren. Overall it was a very close first lap.Sam leads the second lap, and stays high on the bank. Darren is not phased and sticks right to the Vipers door through the whole course. It was one of the best tandem battles of the day at that point. Darren gets the win and advances into the semi-finals!
The final 4 faces Darren against Ken Gushi in his Scion tC. Ken leads the first lap, and runs a good line, but Darren once again sticks to the door of Ken. Another amazing run! Darren leads the next lap with Ken giving chase. Darren easily pulls away with his 700+hp and when it is all over,advances to the Finals!
.jpg)
The finals would match Darren up against again fellow Falken Tire and ASD driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his 2010 Falken Tire / Ford Racing Mustang. Darren led the first lap, and both cars had amazing speed, angle and smoke the first run. After the first lap, it was anyone's win still. Vaughn led the second lap, and Darren stuck close to his door throughout the entire run. In the end there was a clear winner. Darren took home the honors of 1stplace, and Vaughn earned 2nd. This result moves Darren into 1st place overall inthe Formula D points championship!
In another battle, fellow Falken Tire and ASD driver Tyler McQuarrie in his 700+hp Nissan 350Z also charged his way onto the podium,giving Falken Tire and ASD a podium sweep!
.jpg)
Be sure to stay tuned as the cars come back to ASD for preparation for round 4 of the Formula D championship as we head to Las Vegas,NV in early July! Congratulations to Darren McNamara for his second podium of the 2009 season, and taking over the lead in the 2009 Formula D championship!
May 9th, 2009, Braselton, GA
We arrived at Road Atlanta late Wednesday evening to prepare for a great weekend of racing. We had a practice day at the track on Thursday afternoon which went very well for the 3 Autosport Dynamics cars. Friday came and we were ready to go. Darren McNamara has taken home a 2nd place trophy here 2 years ago, and we were looking to for a podium spot in the Saturn Sky.
Qualifying went well, and in the end Darren placed 3rd. He had a shot at the number one spot, but being the team player he is, he loaned a part off the 700+hp Sky to team mate Tyler McQuarrie so he could qualify into the field as well.
Darren's weekend was a lot like 2007 where he took 2nd place overall at Road Atlanta. This time however, he has an ASD/SS built and prepped 700+hp Saturn Sky at his disposal. Qualifying in 3rd put him up against Carl Rydquist in Top 32. On the first pass, Darren lead Carl, and when Carl straightened out Darren had the advantage. On the second lap, Darren too much gap between them and the judges asked for a one more time. On the second pair of laps, Darren was awesome and won the match, moving into the Top 16 to face Ross Petty, fellow team mate on Falken Tires.
On the first lap, Darren again led, and when Ross tried to follow Darren's speed into turn one, he went wide and ended up in the kitty litter. Darren moves on to the Great 8 against Robbie Nishida. Running against Robbie was a lot like running against Ross. Robbie also tried to follow Darren's speed, and spun as a result. Darren moves on to the Final 4.
The Final 4 saw Darren up against Joon Maeng. Joon seemed to develop a misfire in his engine, and didn't have near the power or setup to compete with Darren. Darren easily moves into the finals. That matched him up with Chris Forsberg in his 350Z. This is the same matchup from 2 years ago. Chris led the first lap, and it was very close. As they came out of the horseshoe, Chris missed a shift, giving the immediate advantage to Darren. Unfortunately on the very last turn of that lap, Darren had a bit too much speed and almost spun, causing a one more time. The next pair of laps was as good as the fans had seen all weekend. It was hands down the best driving out of Darren in the car yet. Unfortunately, the judges decision went to Chris, placing Darren on the podium with a 2nd place trophy.
Expect to see us on the podium again in Wall NJ next month!
April 11th, 2009 - Formula D Long Beach, CA Round 1
We rolled into the opening event for the Formula D season locked and loaded for battle. Driver Darren McNamara (DMac) had a really good winter testing with the car and the new changes made, and was more confident than ever before. Practice on Friday was great, and with a few minor changes and adjustments, DMac had the car ready to podium. We went into qualifying full steam, and DMac had amazing runs. In the end, he qualified 2nd overall.
Saturday was the main event, and we looked great through practice. Our first run was again Eric O'Sullivan, another Irishman running the series. DMac make it look easy as he defeated Eric and moved into the top 16. This placed him up again Tony Brakohiapa. The first lap DMac lead, and easily had the advantage. When DMac ran the second lap in the chase position, he had an unfortunate spin in the last turn, giving Tony the win.
Overall it was a great weekend. We learned a lot about the new changes on the car on a flat track, and we had a decent result. We will be ready for Round 2 in Atlanta GA where DMac took a 2nd place trophy home 2 years ago!
" I'm very happy with the progress made over the off season and the car should be much more competitive this year. Long Beach was a disappointing result and it came from a mistake on my part. I cant fault my team and crew for their work and dedication so far this season. We are determined to get a result in Atlanta" - Darren McNamara
ASD and SS are Dominant!
The 2009 Formula D season has been good for the Autosport Dynamics (ASD) crew. With a 2nd place qualifying at the first round of competition in Long Beach, and a 2nd place podium at Road Atlanta for round 2 a month later, we had big expectations for the Sears Auto Center / Falken Tire Saturn Sky.
Thursday was an open practice for most of the 34 drivers that would compete for the top 32 spots for the Saturday main event. The weather was a bit off and on, and we were able to get both a wet and dry setup on the car as the weather was a bit iffy for the main event. By the end of the Thursday practice, Darren McNamara was looking unbeatable in the Kappa, and we were excited to qualify on Friday.
Mother nature had other plans however. We awoke to rain and cold Friday morning, but headed to the track anyway, hoping for a dry spell prior to qualifying. After a few hours at the track, it was determined by the Formula D officials that the track was too poor to drive on, and we would have our qualifying on Saturday morning prior to the main event. We packed up our bags and headed back to the hotel.
Saturday morning arrives early, and the ASD staff are ready to go. We arrive on track early, and get the Saturn Sky ready for Darren to take on track. We have a few practice laps to warm up for qualifying, and Darren is looking good. At the end of qualifying, Darren is sitting in the 4th spot with an 93.9 score. According to the Formula D bracket, that faces us up against Jeff Jones in his Nissan 240SX (S13).
Top 32 tandem begins, and Darren lines up against Jeff.The Sears Auto Center / Falken Tire Saturn Sky is far too much for Jeff to handle, and Darren advances to the Top 16 easily.
Top 16 faced us up against Ryuji Miki in the HankookFD3S RX-7. The first lap is very close and it is anyone's game at this point. On the 2nd lap however, Darren gives chase on Ryuji Miki and stays on his door even though Miki has a poor line. Darren wins and moves on to the Great 8.
The Great 8 paired us up against long time rival Samuel Hubinette in the Dodge Viper. Darren leads the first lap and Hubinette gives a close chase and sticks close to Darren. Overall it was a very close first lap.Sam leads the second lap, and stays high on the bank. Darren is not phased and sticks right to the Vipers door through the whole course. It was one of the best tandem battles of the day at that point. Darren gets the win and advances into the semi-finals!
The final 4 faces Darren against Ken Gushi in his Scion tC. Ken leads the first lap, and runs a good line, but Darren once again sticks to the door of Ken. Another amazing run! Darren leads the next lap with Ken giving chase. Darren easily pulls away with his 700+hp and when it is all over,advances to the Finals!
The finals would match Darren up against again fellow Falken Tire and ASD driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his 2010 Falken Tire / Ford Racing Mustang. Darren led the first lap, and both cars had amazing speed, angle and smoke the first run. After the first lap, it was anyone's win still. Vaughn led the second lap, and Darren stuck close to his door throughout the entire run. In the end there was a clear winner. Darren took home the honors of 1stplace, and Vaughn earned 2nd. This result moves Darren into 1st place overall inthe Formula D points championship!
In another battle, fellow Falken Tire and ASD driver Tyler McQuarrie in his 700+hp Nissan 350Z also charged his way onto the podium,giving Falken Tire and ASD a podium sweep!
Be sure to stay tuned as the cars come back to ASD for preparation for round 4 of the Formula D championship as we head to Las Vegas,NV in early July! Congratulations to Darren McNamara for his second podium of the 2009 season, and taking over the lead in the 2009 Formula D championship!
May 9th, 2009, Braselton, GA
We arrived at Road Atlanta late Wednesday evening to prepare for a great weekend of racing. We had a practice day at the track on Thursday afternoon which went very well for the 3 Autosport Dynamics cars. Friday came and we were ready to go. Darren McNamara has taken home a 2nd place trophy here 2 years ago, and we were looking to for a podium spot in the Saturn Sky.
Qualifying went well, and in the end Darren placed 3rd. He had a shot at the number one spot, but being the team player he is, he loaned a part off the 700+hp Sky to team mate Tyler McQuarrie so he could qualify into the field as well.
Darren's weekend was a lot like 2007 where he took 2nd place overall at Road Atlanta. This time however, he has an ASD/SS built and prepped 700+hp Saturn Sky at his disposal. Qualifying in 3rd put him up against Carl Rydquist in Top 32. On the first pass, Darren lead Carl, and when Carl straightened out Darren had the advantage. On the second lap, Darren too much gap between them and the judges asked for a one more time. On the second pair of laps, Darren was awesome and won the match, moving into the Top 16 to face Ross Petty, fellow team mate on Falken Tires.
On the first lap, Darren again led, and when Ross tried to follow Darren's speed into turn one, he went wide and ended up in the kitty litter. Darren moves on to the Great 8 against Robbie Nishida. Running against Robbie was a lot like running against Ross. Robbie also tried to follow Darren's speed, and spun as a result. Darren moves on to the Final 4.
The Final 4 saw Darren up against Joon Maeng. Joon seemed to develop a misfire in his engine, and didn't have near the power or setup to compete with Darren. Darren easily moves into the finals. That matched him up with Chris Forsberg in his 350Z. This is the same matchup from 2 years ago. Chris led the first lap, and it was very close. As they came out of the horseshoe, Chris missed a shift, giving the immediate advantage to Darren. Unfortunately on the very last turn of that lap, Darren had a bit too much speed and almost spun, causing a one more time. The next pair of laps was as good as the fans had seen all weekend. It was hands down the best driving out of Darren in the car yet. Unfortunately, the judges decision went to Chris, placing Darren on the podium with a 2nd place trophy.
Expect to see us on the podium again in Wall NJ next month!
April 11th, 2009 - Formula D Long Beach, CA Round 1
We rolled into the opening event for the Formula D season locked and loaded for battle. Driver Darren McNamara (DMac) had a really good winter testing with the car and the new changes made, and was more confident than ever before. Practice on Friday was great, and with a few minor changes and adjustments, DMac had the car ready to podium. We went into qualifying full steam, and DMac had amazing runs. In the end, he qualified 2nd overall.
Saturday was the main event, and we looked great through practice. Our first run was again Eric O'Sullivan, another Irishman running the series. DMac make it look easy as he defeated Eric and moved into the top 16. This placed him up again Tony Brakohiapa. The first lap DMac lead, and easily had the advantage. When DMac ran the second lap in the chase position, he had an unfortunate spin in the last turn, giving Tony the win.
Overall it was a great weekend. We learned a lot about the new changes on the car on a flat track, and we had a decent result. We will be ready for Round 2 in Atlanta GA where DMac took a 2nd place trophy home 2 years ago!
" I'm very happy with the progress made over the off season and the car should be much more competitive this year. Long Beach was a disappointing result and it came from a mistake on my part. I cant fault my team and crew for their work and dedication so far this season. We are determined to get a result in Atlanta" - Darren McNamara
Newsletter Subscription
Sign up for the monthly newsletter and receive a 10% off coupon valid as many times as you want as long as you subscribe to the newsletter! Also receive monthly race reports, product releases and more! Best of all it's free!