In any sport that includes referees, umpires, or in this case judges, there is a very good chance that opinions on judgement calls will vary.
In this case it was a first round matchup, with third seed and defending Formula Drift Champion Fredric Aasbo taking on the 29th slated Andrew Gray.
Fredric Aasbo wins controversial Formula Drift Orlando
Gray gave chase to Aasbo during the first run, following him well around the first corner. At one point he went door to door with Aasbo, and it looked like he might have a chance to earn the upset.
During the second run, it was all Andrew Gray. He quickly pulled away from Aasbo and did not look back, but the judges saw it differently.
One sided with each driver, and the third voted for the two to battle one more time. Gray spun and Aasbo took the win. He went on to work his way completely through the bracket, earning his first win of the season, and also taking over the points lead.
What a crazy night. The heat out here in Orlando and with the top dogs going out early, we got really lucky in the first couple battles,” Aasbo told formuladrift.com. “As the event went on we really turned it up and went to the finals against Kristaps, who had a tough blow and messed up on his lead. Not exactly how we want to win, but we’ll take it and move ahead to New Jersey.”
Regardless of whether the call was off or not, Aasbo beat Kristaps Bluss in the Final Battle, and that’s how it will be remembered.
It was by far Bluss’ best run of his career, being the first time he had gotten past the round of 16, and it moved him to seventh in the pro standings.
Bluss will hope to keep it going this season, however he will have to get around a few veterans. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chris Forsberg sit right behind Aasbo in the championship, in what is a very experienced and top heavy table through three events of the 2016 season.
These drivers will have their next opportunity to showcase their skills in two weeks when the series travels to Wall Speedway for Round 4 of the Championship.
Pro Championship Points Standings
1. Fredric Aasbo – 206
2. Vaughn Gittin Jr. – 194
3. Chris Forsberg – 168
4. Aurimas Backchis – 153
5. Tyler McQuarrie – 150
