Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis secured a crucial victory in Round 7 of the Formula Drift competition held on August 31, maintaining his position in the race for the 2024 FD Pro Championship. His win also sustained GT Radial’s chances of claiming their second consecutive Tire Cup title.
Key Moments in Utah
James Deane from Ireland, the current points leader, only needed to match Bakchis’ points tally to secure the 2024 FD Pro Championship title during the event in Utah. However, Bakchis managed to outperform Deane in the top four heats, ultimately clinching victory in Round 7, according to a statement from GT Radial. With Bakchis’ victory, the competition for the championship will now come down to the final round at Irwindale Speedway, scheduled for October 18-19.
Rising Stars and Upcoming Talent
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Hiroya Minowa from Japan continues to dominate the 2024 FD Rookie of the Year standings, finishing in 10th place at the Utah round. Competing on GT Radial tires, Minowa’s Toyota GT86, supported by Enjuku Racing, Cusco, and Yellowspeed Racing, currently holds fourth place overall in the standings with 406 points. He leads his nearest rival, Conor Shanahan of Ireland, by 96 points, with Shanahan sitting in 11th place.
Tire Cup Defense
GT Radial remains focused on defending its 2023 Formula Drift Tire Cup title. Teams using Champiro SX2 RS tires, manufactured at Giti Tire’s facility in Richburg, South Carolina, earned the most points across eight races during the 2023 season. This performance allowed GT Radial to outperform four other major tire brands, securing the prestigious Tire Cup.
The upcoming final round at Irwindale Speedway is expected to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season, with both the Pro Championship and Tire Cup titles on the line.