Kiki Sak Nana, Daigo Saito, Manabu Orido and Robbie Nishida
Defending champion Daigo Saito of Sparks Achilles Drift Team clinched the Achilles Formula Drift 2011 Malaysia and the overall Drivers’ Champion titles at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur earlier today. Saito drove consistently and flawlessly throughout the competition, humbling the rest of the world-class field. The much-anticipated Final 2 battle against compatriot Manabu Orido, a familiar figure here in Malaysia from his exploits at the Super GT, proved interesting but ultimately one-sided. Drift legend Orido made a rare error as he spun out going into the first clipping point, giving Saito an advantage going into the second run. Saito did not disappoint, although Orido did not make it easy the second time round. Driving aggressively yet with pinpoint accuracy, Saito showed why he also convincingly swept through the Singapore and Indonesian legs earlier this year.
Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia Final: Daigo Saito vs Manabu Orido
Kiki Sak Nana clinched the final podium place with some impressive displays throughout the day. Malaysia’s best finisher was Mervyn Nakamura, who made it into the Top 16.
Saranon Pornpatanarak vs Mervyn Nakamura
The Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 was organized by ESPN STAR Sports and title sponsored by Achilles Radial. The event had full support of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and the following proud Sponsors & Partners – Mansion 88 (Official Sponsor), Tune Talk (Official Telco), Chevrolet (Official Car), Hypertune & SHIFT (Official Partners), Tyrepac (Official Online Portal), DRIVE (Official Energy Drink), Tayaria (Official Tyre Changer), Spritzer (Official Water) and Doubletree Hilton (Official Hotel). ESPN STAR Sports is the official broadcaster for the Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011, and provided coverage across its networks, covering 24 countries to a cumulative reach of more than 300 million viewers in Asia.
Malaysian top finisher Mervyn Abdullah narrowly misses out semi–final spot in front of more than 10,000 fans
18 December 2011 (Kuala Lumpur) – Daigo Saito of Sparks Achilles Drift Team claimed the Achilles Formula Drift 2011 Malaysia title and clinched the overall Drivers’ Champion in style at the Dataran Merdeka today, concluding the thrilling Achilles Formula Drift Series in Kuala Lumpur.
It was the second consecutive year the Japanese emerged victorious in the Malaysian leg, and the 2011 series favourite proved too strong for the competition for another drift legend, compatriot Manabu Orido of Team RSR, who finished runners– up today. Saito took the lead in the first run, and Orido made an uncharacteristic spin going into the first clipping point.
Saito only had to make sure he turned in an error-free performance in the second run, and the Japanese did not disappoint, much to the pleasure of the enthusiastic crowd. Today’s victory saw Saito sweep the 2011 Achilles Formula Drift Series after winning the Singapore and Indonesian leg earlier this year.
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