Brakohiapa had the upper hand against Mohan in their first two meetings this year, and Mohan was determined not to let it become three. The two contrasting cars – Mohan’s Mazda RX-8 and Brakohiapa’s Ford Mustang – ran extremely close together in their first pair of runs. So close, in fact, that the judges called for the first One More Time of the day. In the first run of the rematch, Mohan ran a deep line while chasing, nearly causing him to lose drift. But on the second run, Brakohiapa had a big correction while chasing, and the judges advanced Mohan to the top-16.

In the round of 16, Mohan faced former D1GP champion and fellow Mazda driver Ryuji Miki in a Mazda RX-7. The RX-7 had a straight line speed advantage that Mohan could not overcome, and Miki was advanced to the Great Eight.

“This was the first time that we cracked the top-16 this season,” said Mohan. “We’ve been knocking on it and had some bad luck, but it’s a great feeling to get into the second round. Miki is a former D1GP champion and he’s a phenomenal driver, and he just created too big a gap for me to overcome throughout the course. It’s a part of the car we will focus on and develop, as we have done after each round of this year’s championship.”

Following the round at Infineon Raceway, Mohan’s RX-8 graced the pages of Wrecked Magazine in their Industry Insider feature.

“Wrecked Magazine is one of the premier websites and drifting news sources, and to be in the magazine for the first time is really an honor,” said Mohan. “It’s great for our program and great for our partners who have invested in our team and who make this all possible.”

During the six-week break before the Formula Drift finale at Irwindale Speedway, Mohan will travel to China for the second year to take part in a World Drifting Series demonstration before returning for the Formula Drift finale. Throughout his travels in China, Mohan will keep his fans and sponsors updated on the blog of his website, at www.kylemohanracing.com/blog.

About Kyle Mohan Racing

Kyle Mohan Racing competes in the Formula Drift Pro Championship aboard a 2009 Mazda RX-8, with support from Mazda USA, Mazdatrix, Cooper Tires, Exedy, WPC, Idemitsu, Turbonetics, Mishimoto, JIC Magic, TCSportline, KAAZ, F&L Racing Fuel, XXR wheels and Epic Action Sports Camera. For more information, visit www.kylemohanracing.com.

Team Turbonetics Racer Kyle Mohan - FormulaD Pro Drifter

After the great response that the country showed at the box office with Fast & Furious I was hoping that the Cali natives would show up in force for this weekends opening Formula D event. With brand new cars everywhere, a new format of a top 32 competition and the Long Beach Grand Prix next weekend there are a ton of reasons why this coming weekend should have a good turnout and success. I love that Jim Liaw and his team have poured everything that they have into this series and Turbonetics is proud to be a part of at least a handful of events.

Turbonetics has four competitors that are trying to make the field. Rhys Millen in the new Hyundai Genesis, Kyle Mohan in his new Mazda Rx-8, Casper Canul in an S14 and Chris Milano in a crazy LS1 powered Nissan 350Z. We are so pleased to be a part of each of their race programs. Thank you for trusting in Turbonetics power.

Here is to a great 2009 Formula D season and we hope to see you at the events near you.

Keep it in boost,
TurboT2

Formula D - Long Beach 2009

WordPress Video

“Driving the Genesis Coupe for the first time at Pikes Peak in front of thousands of fans is an amazing experience,” said Millen. “Nothing compares to the pressure and thrill of Pikes Peak while competing against yourself for the record.”

Millen set the record time of 12 minutes, 9 seconds (12:09.397) more than 1 minute and 23 seconds faster than his nearest competitor in the rear-wheel-drive Time Attack Class. At the finish line on the summit of Pikes Peak, Millen reported that the car that never skipped a beat, no matter how hard he challenged the diverse terrain and high altitude, and finished with both rear tires down to steel belts. Millen utilized the Genesis Coupe’s rear-drive layout to its full potential, power-sliding his Genesis Coupe mere inches away from guard rails, trees and 2,000-foot cliffs, while besting his own record of 12 minutes, 31.61 seconds by 22 seconds.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America, second only to the Indianapolis 500, and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs. First run in 1916, this year marks the 87th running of the thrilling “Race to the Clouds.”

The race is run on a course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the oxygen-depleted 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of up to 30 percent of their power at the summit. It’s a true test of endurance for competitors and vehicles.
This year the race has 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi-truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors.

With more than 16 years of racing experience, Rhys Millen has established himself as one of the premier rally/drifting drivers in North America. Born in New Zealand in 1972, Rhys is the son of famed rally and off-road racer Rod Millen. Rhys joined Rod in the U.S. as a teenager and soon afterwards established himself as racer by taking first at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the Open Division and winning Rookie of the Year. He won the Formula Drift championship in 2005 and the Red Bull Drifting World Championship in 2008.

Millen and his team are an ideal match to help launch Hyundai’s motorsports effort with the Genesis Coupe. Millen’s driving credentials include movie stunts, multiple drifting championships, a Pikes Peak world record and his recent New Year’s Eve Las Vegas truck flip. But behind Millen’s success in the driver’s seat is a full team of engineers and fabricators that know how to maximize the potential of a race car.

Millen had his first opportunity to test drive the Genesis Coupe’s performance credentials when he performed precision driving for the car’s debut advertising campaign airing during Super Bowl XLIII. Millen flogged a Genesis Coupe for a full three days during the filming process at Road Atlanta racetrack, and the car never stopped asking for more.

Rhys Millen Claims Pikes Peak Title

This car is a piece of art. Andy and the team are still looking for a marketing partner for 2009 and beyond. If you are intersted or know a good fit for this incredible racer and car, give them a call. Jensen’s Engine Tech: 570-379-3069  – Andy@JensensEngineTech.com