As we approach the second half of the 2023 Formula Drift season, let’s take a moment to review the Top 15 qualifiers from the first four rounds. For this analysis, we have a single rule: the driver must participate in at least two events. Apologies to Vaught!
#15 Diego Higa
Average qualifying score: 83.50
The 2023 season rookie scored 88.33 in Atlanta; this is his best run.
Championship standings: #28
#14 Daniel Stuke
Average qualifying score: 84.25
Compared to 2022, Daniel improved his qualification by 3, and his best performance was 89.66 in Orlando.
Championship standings: #16
#13 Travis Reeder
Average qualifying score: 84.58
Last year Travis scored his first and only victory in FD. Best score so far – 91.66.
Championship standings: #15
#12 Matt Field
Average qualifying score: 85.08
Our championship leader doesn’t shine qualification, and last year he did better by 3.17 points.
Championship standings: #1
#11 Chris Forsberg
Average qualifying score: 85.75
Not the best season for Chris so far. Fun fact – his average qualifying score is exactly the same as in 2022!
Championship standings: #9
#10 Kazuya Taguchi
Average qualifying score: 85.91
Kazuya has improved significantly since last year: 9.48 points up.
Championship standings: #12
#9 Rome Charpentier
Average qualifying score: 85.92
Yet another driver is doing better – the E36 owner is up by 2.04 points.
Championship standings: #8
#8 Jonathan Hurst
Average qualifying score: 86.08
Jonathan scored 4th in the opening round of Long Beach, and in Orlando, he scored his best result – 89!
Championship standings: #11
#7 Aurimas Bakchis
Average qualifying score: 87.25
Like Chris Forsberg’s, the Lithuanian average qualifying score is exactly the same as in 2022! Best result this year – 91.33 in Orlando.
Championship standings: #6
#6 Dylan Hughes
Average qualifying score: 87.58
Dylan did a bit better last year – his average score was 88.88. The best result in 2023 was also in Orlando – 91.33
Championship standings: #10
#5 Chelsea Denofa
Average qualifying score: 87.67
It looks like FD drivers like Orlando track – during round three, Chelsea has scored his best season result – 94. Difference to last year: -1.3
Championship standings: #2
#4 James Deane
Average qualifying score: 88.25
Sometimes, an Irishman needs more track time in his new Mustang in tandem battles. During qualification, James is doing ok. His best score this season – 92.66 in Long Beach.
Championship standings: #4
#3 Forrest Wang
Average qualifying score: 89.11
Forrest is just 0.3 points shy of the second-place man. Wang was consistent during qualification, scoring 88.33 in Long Beach, 91 in Atlanta and 88 in Orlando.
Championship standings: #14
#2 Fredric Aasbo
Average qualifying score: 89.41
Three-time Formula Drift champion is doing a bit better this year – an improvement by 0.29 points to the previous season. His best performance was in New Jersey – 94 points!
Championship standings: #3
#1 Ryan Tuerck
Average qualifying score: 93.25
Ryan scored the best season result in qualification this year – the Toyota driver was also perfect in Long Beach with 98.33, but sadly tandem runs are not so successful in 2023. Ryan was eliminated in the Top8 stage three times!
Championship standings: #7
