Reviewing Track Notes

It never gets old reviewing track notes and watching videos in preparation for the Finale out at Irwindale Speedway! Here are a couple of videos from last year....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz4KEhqpccU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXtPItS0gQI

Team Work

We had a great opportunity to drift in Las Vegas some more thanks to the Nitto Tire Shoot. The RX-8 felt just as if nothing ever happened at Round 6. With the team's expertise and hard work the vehicle was restored right away. It was awesome drifting with the beautiful view of the buildings in the back drop. Keep an eye out for the upcoming video! :)

Here's Ed Bergenholtz inspecting the Transmission and making sure everything is perfect! The handling of the Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 is phenomenal and it drives just the way I like it. With the extra grip and power we are producing this year, a few parts of the vehicle will be improved with even stronger components so it'll be able to handle the strain.

I highly respect every BR team member for their passion and courage to do whatever it takes to succeed and make improvements. The hurdles and road blocks we faced this year made us stronger and I know that the best is yet to come!

I wish you a happy and fun Labor Day!

Downpour Destruction

Things were heating up here in Vegas Motor Speedway. We woke up at 3A.M. on Thursday, August 25th and started our journey to Formula Drift Round 6. The Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 felt phenomenal right off the back during practice! We were reaching 100+ MPH on entry at ease. I was impressed how fast and strong the new engine was running!

Towards the end of practice on Friday I got hit by a big surprise! Got the HKS sequential into gear, took off as fast as I can on the dry track conditions, reaching 103 MPH and all of a sudden it started pouring in rain right after I initiated drift. Right then and there I was trying to slow down by applying the front brakes and everything I can to stop. The transition from dry to wet condition was far to great of a difference and couldn't slow down all the speed and momentum after I pitched the RX-8 sideways.

I ended up hitting the k rail pretty hard on the passenger side and had a good amount of damage. I got out of the vehicle and was in shock of how bad the car looked! It was like getting punched right into my heart when I hit the wall. Because Ron, Ed Bergenholtz and the entire team put their heart and soul into the RX-8. Seeing the car with all damage broke my heart...

We got towed to our pit area and the team worked hard to make it out in time for qualifying. But there was too much damages and was not able to make it in time. Ed Bergenholtz gave me and the team energy/inspiration to keep our heads up in this situation. It's amazing how the team works together to keep a successful drifting program.

I know we got what it takes to perform and do well at the track! It seems like God is preparing us for next year to be stronger from all these battles/incidents this year.

We are still here in Las Vegas to perform a drifting exhibition nearby the Aria Hotel on Tuesday.

Thanks to Team Bergenholtz Racing and all of our supporters the Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 is like new again. Looking forward to having better luck out at the finale.

Here are more photos on: www.speedhunters.com/archive/2011/0/8/27/in-the-moment-gt-gt-last-run-of-the-day.aspx

Ready for Battle

The new Mazda Trix motor is in and every component on the Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 is perfectly aligned! I highly respect Ron for going above and beyond to provide nothing but the best!


Data Analysis, Ed Bergenholtz tuned the Motec M800 and the vehicle fired up without any hesitation. She sounds mighty beautiful! Thank you team Bergenholtz Racing for your hard work and dedication! I'm so excited to drive and feel out the new power plant out in Las Vegas, round 6 of Formula Drift!

Sam's Auto Land in Gardena California did a great job on the paint and body work! Here's a picture taken by Nitto Tire out at the Motion Auto Show.

The car and the entire team is prepared for the Vegas Battle! Looking forward to seeing you all there! Get your tickets at http://www.formuladrift.com/

Spotless Inside and Out

Here's Ron Bergenholtz degreasing the grime away in the engine bay. The Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 is completely spotless of any imperfections and looks brand new again!

Thanks to Sam's Auto Land for the paint and body work the exterior is flawless. With the Genius Tools set everything under the hood has been disassembled and will be freshly reassembled with brand new parts in preparation for the Vegas blaze.

Can't wait to drive on the newly built Mazda Trix engine!

Prepping for The Vegas Heat

The Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 is going to be running cool not only under the hood but will be nice and cold inside the vehicle. Thanks to David Nam for the gift and Ron for installing the Cool Shirt setup!

Team Bergenholtz Racing is fabricating/engineering a few pieces to help cool the car off during competition. Since we are not allowed to spray the vehicle down during competition we have to make sure it'll be running cool at all times.

It's going to be great driving the Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 with the rebuilt engine! Every component has been treated at WPC and will be pushing out some good numbers! I'm so grateful to have such a dedicated team and always pushing hard towards succeeding!

Time to Refresh

The Nitto Tire Mazda RX-8 is getting freshened up for the next round of Formula Drift. Ron at Team Bergenholtz Racing is currently rebuilding the Tri-Rotary engine with the support of Mazda Trix. It'll be at full power out in the Las Vegas heat!!

Make sure to get your tickets at http://www.formuladrift.com/

See you there on August 26th-27th!