“Matt increased his competitiveness in Formula DRIFT by making numerous upgrades in the off-season, and his hard work paid off with this season-opening victory,” reports Harry Kong, Nitto’s marketing and event specialist.
“His exceptional skill and sense of daring were backed by a great team and a great tire. These are the kinds of stories and motorsports experiences that power our sponsorship, and we’re thrilled to see the season getting off to such a marvelous start,” he says.
In 2010, Powers was the youngest driver to place in Formula D’s Top 16, and he continued his run by finishing second at the 2011 season's inaugural event in Long Beach.
In addition to shining a spotlight on Nitto and the NT05, Powers and his Nissan s14 – featuring an LS7 engine out of a Corvette Z06 mounted by GTI – lifted title sponsor Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed series of video games to its first-ever appearance on the podium.
The NT05 is designed to provide precise, responsive handling, according to Kong, which gave Powers the edge he needed to “drift” – slide his car sideways back and forth – through the track’s turns.
“Another sellout crowd in Long Beach watched as he demonstrated the versatility of the NT05, Nitto's most aggressive non-competition street tire, which was created through extensive computer simulation modeling and on-track testing with the driving enthusiast in mind,” he says.
Nitto backed five teams and five drivers at Long Beach, with Ryan Tuerck also finding success at the event by finishing in eighth place. Tuerck, second in the overall Formula D standings in 2009 and third in 2010, drove a Pontiac Solstice built by Gardella Racing, the first East Coast team Nitto has sponsored.
The drifters will return to the circuit May 6-7 for “Round 2: Road to the Championship” at Road Atlanta in Georgia.
Powers, Tuerck and the rest of the Nitto Team, including 2009 Formula D Rookie of the Year Eric O’Sullivan (Gardella Racing), Joon Maeng (Bergenholtz Racing), Michael Essa (GSR Autosport), and Charles Ng, 2010 Rookie of the Year runner up, will be among the competitors.
For more information, visit www.nittotire.com.
