ORIGINALLY AIRED: 9/4/2005

Round 5 - Chicago, IL

Episode #5013

Welcome to the second to last competitive drifting event for the 2005 Formula Drift season at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. With only one more event to go, the points race was heating up as the top drivers struggled to hold on to their positions while others tried to take the lead for themselves.

If you thought it seemed that each preceding course increased in difficulty, Solider Field doesn't break the pattern--the tiny 'figure 8' course built on a parking lot was so tough that many experienced drivers were eliminated from the event during practice due to extensive crash damage done to their vehicles. Other drivers were still able to compete in the qualifying matches the next day, but had to drive their cars with some visible damage. Since drivers are judged on how fast they enter turns, their slip angle, and how closely they follow the drift line, accidents continued to occur even during the tandem matches.

In addition to some of the most exciting drifting ever caught on camera, we also had Big C on hand to show us what other delights were to be found at the event--but by delights we mean souvenirs, not ladies. Plus, make sure you find out what's going on with the Need For Speed Most Wanted Blacklist Tournament to find out what's the score to beat.

The first round of tandem matches went fairly smoothly considering the course, with only Mike Peters hitting the barrier during this round. Vaughn Gittin Jr. drove an S14 borrowed from a friend after crashing his own the day before but still managed to beat out Taka Aono for a place in the next round. However, Rhys Millen's GTO clipped the back of Ken Gushi's Toyo Tires Mustang during their round and had to be removed and the match redone.

Steph Papadakis vs. Chris Forsberg
Taka Aono vs. Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Hiro Sumida vs. Matt Vassalo
Mike Peters vs. Kenji Yamanaka
Samuel Hubinette vs. Tony Shulz
Daijiro Yoshihara vs. Seigo Yamamoto
Rhys Millen vs. Ken Gushi
Tyler McQuarie vs. John Yim

*winners in bold.

During the second round, Samuel Hubinette edged out Daijiro Yoshihara for a spot in the second round, while Hiro Sumida crashed his car into the wall, allowing Kenji Yamanaka to advance to the semifinals. Vaughn Gittin Jr. was defeated by Tyler McQuarie but managed to escape with his borrowed vehicle in one piece, and Ken 'The Future' Gushi beat out drag racer Steph Papadakis for his spot in the final four.

Samuel Hubinette vs. Daijiro Yoshihara
Kenji Yamanaka vs. Hiro Sumida
Vaughn Gittin Jr. vs. Tyler McQuarie
Ken Gushi vs. Steph Papadakis

In the semi-finals, Kenji Yamanaka tried but did not succeed in sending Samuel Hubinette and his duct taped Mopar Viper home early, and Ken Gushi nudged out Tyler McQuarie for his spot in the final two. Later, Tyler McQuarie was defeated for the Third Place spot by Kenji Yamanaka and his lucky shiny hat. In the final round, Sam Hubinette won the judges over with all 10 cylinders of his Mopar Viper, giving second place to Ken Gushi and his Toyo Tires Mustang.

Samuel Hubinette vs. Kenji Yamanaka
Tyler McQuarie vs. Ken Gushi

Battle for Third Place:

Tyler McQuarie vs. Kenji Yamanaka

Final Battle:

Samuel Hubinette vs. Ken Gushi

Winner: Samuel Hubinette
Second Place: Ken Gushi
Third Place: Kenji Yamanaka