As part of the festivities leading up to the Formula D finale at Irwindale, the FD guys got together with K1 Speed indoor karting to host a Formula D karting event last night at the K1 Anaheim location. Linhbergh and I headed out there for a couple hours to have a look, and maybe get in a few laps with the rest of the Formula D family.
Parked outside of K1 were a few cars, including JTP's RX8 and Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s new Mustang project. Very nice.
The Kogi truck was also on hand, serving up its famous blend of Korean and Mexican cuisine. This was my first time trying it, and I can now see what all the hype is about.
A good number of FD drivers made it out for a night of karting, including Dai Yoshihara…
…and one of the most feared competitors, Tyler McQuarrie.
Joon Maeng might be one of the nicest guys around, but get him behind the wheel of a 20hp electric go kart and prepare to witness the fury.
Drift Alliance became Kart Alliance last night. There's Chris Forsberg getting ready to go.
JTP is all business.
As is Vaughn Gittin Jr. Just look at that intensity…
Darren McNamara also seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit.
For the authentic Formula Drift experience, there was even a Red Bull archway set up on the course.
There's Chris Forsberg, apexing like no other.
You can't put a bunch of professional drifters on a kart track without at least a little sideways action. There's Dai Yoshihara trying his best to put one of the little karts into a slide.
Tyler McQuarrie looks right at home in anything with four wheels. Perhaps all that experience driving time attack cars has paid off? Both Tyler and Mike Essa were the ones putting in the fastest laps.
Ah yes, the burning rivalry between two men and their go karts…
All in all it was a great, laid back way to spend a Wednesday night before the madness of the season finale.
If you ever have the chance to get to a K1 Speed location, I highly recommend it.
-Mike Garrett