The action on track saw the top 4 qualifiers make it into the Final 4 of the competition. Number one qualifier Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy Drink Nissan 370Z battled number 2 qualifier Darren McNamara in the Falken Tire Saturn Sky in the consolation round. McNamara beat Forsberg to take third place in the event and also solidify a team Falken Tire sweep on the podium. The final battle was a battle of the Mustang with Falken Tire teammates Justin Pawlak in the Falken Ford Mustang and Vaughn Gittin, Jr. in the Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang. Pawlak edged out his teammate for his second victory of the season regaining the lead in the pro championship point standings.

“It feels unreal,” exclaimed Justin Pawak, winner of Round 3. “I knew I had a good chance to win despite a tough ladder of competition, but we brought it home and we are back on top!”

The Formula DRIFT Championship continues later this month for Round 4: The Gauntlet at Wall Speedway in New Jersey on June 17-18. Tickets are available to purchase online.

For more information visit: www.formulad.com

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2011 Point Standings after 3 Rounds
1. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 272 Points
2. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Pontiac Saturn Sky 236 Points
3. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 220 Points
4. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 215 Points
5. Powers, Matt Need for Speed Nissan S14 212.25 Points
6. McQuarrie, Tyler Falken Tire Nissan 350Z 179 Points
7. Tuerck, Ryan Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Chevrolet Camaro 176 Points
8. Grunewald, Conrad Hankook Tire Chevy Camaro 166 Points
9. Yoshioka, Toshiki Retaks Nissan S13 159.25 Points
10. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang 157 Points
11. Mohan, Kyle Nexen Tire / Mazdatrix Mazda RX-8 149.50 Points
12. Aasbo, Fredric Need for Speed / Hankook Scion TC 144.50 Points
13. Wilkerson, Walker Fatlace / Intec Racing Nissan 240 135.75 Points
14. Waldin, Matt Helix Energy Drink Nissan 350Z 134.50 Points
15. Millen, Rhys Red Bull / Hankook Hyundai Genesis 130 Points
16. Russakoff, John Megan Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla 119.50 Points

Round Invasion Event Results
1. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang Winner
2. Gittin, Vaughn Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang Second
3. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Saturn Sky Third

Tires.com Triple Crown (after 1 of 3 events)
1. Yoshihara, Daijiro Discount Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 106 Points
2. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Saturn Sky 90 Points
3. Yoshioka, Toshiki Retaks Nissan S13 79 Points

The podium was rounded out by Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Chrissie Beavis, who once again placed third overall and first in the Super Production (SP) class. Lagemann nearly retired from the rally early on day two after running out of fuel on Stage 7 only three miles from the finish. Lagemann's Subaru sputtered to a stop on the following transit, but rival SP class driver Travis Hanson displayed excellent sportsmanship by towing him back to Service. Travis Hanson and co-driver Terry Hanson placed fourth overall and second in class, clinching the 2011 Super Production title at STPR. The remainder of the Super Production field fell victim to attrition, leaving Lagemann and Hanson as the only crews in the class to finish the event.

In Two-Wheel-Drive (2WD) competition, Chris Greenhouse piloted his 1995 Plymouth Neon to his first-ever National class victory. Greenhouse and co-driver Billy Mann finished sixth overall with a 38 second lead over the second fastest team in their class and were the quickest 2WD crew on both passes of the Super Special. Brian Gottlieb and co-driver Pat Darrow placed second in class in their 1989 Honda Civic with a comfortable cushion of over one minute on Dillon Van Way. Van Way and co-driver Jake Blattner placed third in 2WD despite losing time on Stage 7 after rolling their 2011 Ford Fiesta.

2010 Two-Wheel-Drive champion Chris Duplessis is the first in North America to build and field a Ford Fiesta R2, which made its U.S. debut at STPR. Duplessis and co-driver Catherine Woods' rally came to a disappointing end after breaking a control arm tie rod near the finish of Stage 12. Duplessis was sitting sixth overall and was well over 8 minutes ahead of his 2WD rivals when he retired.

The 2011 Rally America National Championship comes down to the wire at the sixth and final round, the New England Forest Rally based in Newry, Maine this July 15-16.

“It’s the first time I have had a chance to drive a new World Rally Car. Now, without the clever diffs and with the smaller lower boosted engines, you have to work the cars much harder, making them much more fun to drive and more spectacular for the fans,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The MINI John Cooper Works WRC made its competitive debut in May at Rally Italy in Sardinia, where Dani Sordo (ES) brought the leading car home in a very respectable sixth place. Sordo and Kris Meeke (GB) will return to the World Rally Championship from 28 to 30July, at the MINI WRC Team’s next outing in Finland. The team is only competing in six WRC events in 2011 in readiness for a full season in 2012.

The MINI John Cooper Works WRC has been developed by Prodrive based on the MINI Countryman. It is equipped with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Di turbo engine, which is also available in the MINI production models. The production engine was further developed by BMW Motorsport for the use in various categories according to FIA Super 2000 regulations. The power transmission takes place via an Xtrac 6-speed, sequential gearbox. For its outings on the rally stages, the MINI Countryman chassis has been fitted with a roll cage developed by Prodrive, which exceeds the strict safety requirements of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

MINI World Rally Car specification:

Engine
Four-cylinder inline turbo engine with direct fuel injection and air restrictor Capacity: 1599 cc
Garrett turbo charger with 33mm FIA restrictor - maximum turbo boost pressure of 2.5 bar (absolute)
Bore x stroke: 77 x 85,8 mm
Max. output: approx. 310bhp
Max. torque: approx. 420Nm
Max. engine speed: 8,500 rpm (FIA regulations)
Dry sump with oil suction

Transmission
Permanent four wheel drive
Gearbox: Xtrac 6-speed sequential
Clutch: AP Racing sintered twin plate
Front axle: Plated limited slip
Rear axle: Plated limited slip

Steering
Hydraulic power assisted

Chassis
MINI Countryman bodyshell with Prodrive roll cage exceeding FIA regulations

Suspension - Front: Prodrive Ohlins Macpherson strut, 3 way adjustable damper
Rear: Prodrive Ohlins Macpherson strut, 3 way adjustable damper

Wheels
ATS wheels and Michelin tyres (FIA regulations)
Gravel: 15” diameter
Tarmac: 18” diameter

Brakes
AP Racing
Front: four piston 300 mm (Gravel) 355 mm (Tarmac)
Rear: four piston 300 mm (Gravel) 355 mm (Tarmac)
Dimensions Length: 4110 mm
Width: 1820 mm
Weight: 1200 kg (FIA minimum weight)