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Formula Drift returned to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey from June 19th to the 21st, bringing the smoke, spectacle, and sheer intensity that fans have come to expect from Round 4 of the Pro Championship, known fittingly as The Gauntlet. This year’s event didn’t just test the limits of drivers and machines; it also tested Mother Nature’s patience.
Thursday’s festivities were abruptly interrupted by a sudden storm system that swept across central New Jersey. A small tornado touched down near the raceway, causing widespread damage across the venue. Tents were blown across the venue, attendees fled for cover, a branch fell on Jeff Jones’ Nissan 370Z, and our tent took a direct hit when Toyota Gazoo Racing’s massive tent was blown into ours. Thankfully, no one was injured. With zip ties, determination, and a lot of teamwork, our team brought everything back online. The Mishimoto tent was repaired and standing again by the next morning. We’re particularly glad that Chilly the Penguin, our inflatable 30’ mascot, was safely stored away when the storm hit, a stroke of luck that likely saved him from being launched into orbit.
By Friday morning, the skies had cleared and the storm had passed. The real heat, however, was just beginning. Temperatures climbed into the 90s, and with the track surface baking under the summer sun, drivers had to stay sharp and keep their machines running cool.
Fans filled the stands surrounding Raceway Park’s Figure-8 layout, a converted drag strip that holds the title of the first purpose-built drift arena in North America. Its tight layout, concrete walls, and stadium-style seating create a high-pressure environment that delivers action from every angle. Despite the scorching weather, the crowd showed up ready, bringing the energy and anticipation that would carry through a weekend of tire smoke, clipped bumpers, and championship-level drifting.
Behind the Wheel – Chatting with Cody Buchanan and Trenton Beechum
Among the drivers who faced both the heat and the competition head-on was Formula Drift ProSpec driver Cody Buchanan, who made the trip from Fargo, North Dakota with his LS-powered Nissan 350Z.
“This baby gets hot,” Buchanan told us at his booth. “But Mishimoto cools it down. We’ve got the power steering cooler, the oil cooler, the heat exchanger, even the ice box. We never saw any hot temps all weekend. It got like 93, 95 degrees and this thing was perfect.”
For Buchanan, Mishimoto is more than just a sponsor. It’s part of his personal journey in drifting. “When I first got into drifting, Mishimoto was the name. They were on Ryan Tuerck’s cars and on everyone’s builds in Formula Drift. The first radiator I ever bought was Mishimoto. Same with the oil cooler. We never had issues, so why fix what’s broke? In Florida, we put on a new Mishimoto oil cooler trackside, and our oil pressure legitimately went up 15 psi. So we’ve been running everything Mishimoto ever since. It’s always been great to us.”
Later in the day, we caught up with Pro Driver Trenton Beechum as his team worked on his BMW E36, which featured a Mishimoto power steering cooler, oil cooler, and fans.
“We’ve got the Mishimoto power steering and oil cooler, plus some awesome fans keeping us cool,” said Beechum. “It’s humid out here, but the cooling gear is putting in the work and the car is ripping, and we’re just out here to have some fun today.”
Of course, “some fun” at The Gauntlet still means putting everything on the line.
From the Paddock to the Parking Lot – The Builds at Englishtown
While the pros battled it out on the track, the car show at Englishtown offered a welcome contrast. The lot was full of personality, showcasing everything from track-prepped imports to show-quality restorations.
One of our favorite builds on site was Nick Ward’s Lexus LS400, equipped with a Mishimoto oil cooler.
Moving over to the car show, a baby blue Subaru WRX turned heads with its full list of Mishimoto upgrades, including a top-mount intercooler, pipe boots, radiator, coolant hoses, and reservoir tank.
Nearby, a dark blue WRX STI sported a Mishimoto radiator and reservoir setup.
A Honda S2000 featured a Mishimoto radiator, while a Nissan Silvia PS13 drew attention with a Mishimoto front-mount intercooler.
Finally, fans recognized a returning favorite from earlier in the year. Peter Diaz’s 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS AE86, which we spotted at LZ World Tour 3.0 in the spring, was back in the lot. The car’s Mishimoto fan setup kept it running smooth despite the heat, and its vintage style gave the show an old-school boost.
The Pros Tackle the Gauntlet
As the sun climbed higher and the heat settled in, the main event kicked off. Round 4 of the Formula Drift Pro Championship, known as The Gauntlet, lived up to its name. The venue is intense, the layout is punishing, and the stakes grow heavier with every battle. The Top 32 competition raged on throughout the heat of the day.
As the sun began to set, the Top 16 opened with a patriotic tribute. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson administered the oath of enlistment to a group of new U.S. Air Force recruits on the start line, followed by the national anthem.
Then came the smoke. Hiro Manoah, the youngest driver ever to reach an FD podium, faced Derek Madison in the opening battle. Manoah’s calm and consistent style pushed him through, even as Madison brought impressive aggression after two recent wins over Ryan Tuerck.
Further into the bracket, Matt Field met Ken Gushi in a stylistic clash. Field’s snappy, quick-transition Corvette went toe to toe with Gushi’s smooth GR86. Field advanced in a tightly contested match that showed just how different drift styles can be equally effective.
But the most unforgettable moment of the event came during the clash between James Deane and Rome Charpentier. Midway through the battle, Charpentier dropped a tire off track. Deane followed close and rode right up onto the side of Rome’s BMW, sending both cars into a chaotic pileup. Fans were stunned. After review, Charpentier was found at fault, and both teams scrambled during their respective timeouts to make quick repairs. Deane’s Mustang RTR was back on the line shortly after, a testament to how fast and focused these teams can be under pressure.
As the night wore on and the lights came up around the track, the energy in the Figure-8 arena only grew stronger. Chris Forsberg looked sharp in his lead run, but a small error in the follow opened the door for Adam LZ, who took full advantage and advanced. Adam LZ kept pushing through the bracket, building momentum as the crowd backed him with every pass.
In the finals, Fredric Aasbø, a three-time champion and points leader, faced off against Adam LZ. It was a high-stakes match. Aasbø initiated cleanly, but a slight overcorrection gave LZ the opening he needed. With clinical precision, LZ maintained pressure throughout the run and closed the gap at every transition. The judges awarded him the win, capping off a hard-fought weekend with a defining performance.
As the tire smoke hung over the arena and fans poured into the night, it was clear that The Gauntlet had once again lived up to its reputation. Between the storm, the heat, and the chaos on track, this round proved to be one of the most memorable in recent Formula Drift history. Whether you were there to watch the drama unfold or just to celebrate the culture, this was one for the books.
Be sure to check out some more photos from our weekend at Englishtown below!
