Saito crowned champion at Achilles Formula Drift Singapore 2012
02 Jul 2012|3,750 views
Over 9,000 drifting fans witness the Singapore leg of Achilles Formula Drift, held over the last weekend at the Changi Exhibition Centre. Daigo Saito won the local trophy for the second year running, piloting the star of the lineup this year - a 1,200bhp Lexus LF-C.
Saito came in first during the qualifying round on Day one, with a score of 92. On day two, the Japanese drifter dealt a convincing win over Malaysia’s Muhammad Zaiham Hamdan in his 2001 Nissan Silvia in the Round of 16. He went against Emmanuel Adwitya Amandio from Indonesia and Robbie Nishida in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.Notably, Indonesia's Rio Saputro Budhardjo gave the audience a wonderful performance. At the helm of a Nissan Cefiro A31, the Indonesian stormed into the finals against Saito, after putting out Malaysia's Ser Ming Hui and one of the favourites of the year Ken Gushi. In the final stage, Budhardjo spun out on the first run, putting the reigning champion in advantage. However, things took a change when Saito was penalised for straightening out at the final clipping point, thus forcing the twin to have a go at it again. The intense pressure on the rookie was perhaps the cause of the breaking point - Budhardjo spun out in his second run as he struggles to close up the significant gap that was left by Saito.
Sharing his joy at the win, Saito said, "I am pleased to win the Achilles Formula Drift Singapore for a second time and it was a tough final against Budihardjo. He has been in great form all weekend and I had to focus and give it my best shot to retain the title. I have always enjoyed the event here in Singapore as the crowd is always cheering us on and I will definitely be back for more.""Of course I am very happy and thrilled to have made it all the way to the Finals. I have always looked up at Daigo as a role model and he is one of the strongest competitors in the world. I had to push my car to the limit just to match him and as a result, I spun out. But the result is still a great one for me and my team," commented Budihardjo.
The next leg of the championship will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, and onto the final stage scheduled to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Over 9,000 drifting fans witness the Singapore leg of Achilles Formula Drift, held over the last weekend at the Changi Exhibition Centre. Daigo Saito won the local trophy for the second year running, piloting the star of the lineup this year - a 1,200bhp Lexus LF-C.
Saito came in first during the qualifying round on Day one, with a score of 92. On day two, the Japanese drifter dealt a convincing win over Malaysia’s Muhammad Zaiham Hamdan in his 2001 Nissan Silvia in the Round of 16. He went against Emmanuel Adwitya Amandio from Indonesia and Robbie Nishida in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
Notably, Indonesia's Rio Saputro Budhardjo gave the audience a wonderful performance. At the helm of a Nissan Cefiro A31, the Indonesian stormed into the finals against Saito, after putting out Malaysia's Ser Ming Hui and one of the favourites of the year Ken Gushi. In the final stage, Budhardjo spun out on the first run, putting the reigning champion in advantage. However, things took a change when Saito was penalised for straightening out at the final clipping point, thus forcing the twin to have a go at it again. The intense pressure on the rookie was perhaps the cause of the breaking point - Budhardjo spun out in his second run as he struggles to close up the significant gap that was left by Saito.
Sharing his joy at the win, Saito said, "I am pleased to win the Achilles Formula Drift Singapore for a second time and it was a tough final against Budihardjo. He has been in great form all weekend and I had to focus and give it my best shot to retain the title. I have always enjoyed the event here in Singapore as the crowd is always cheering us on and I will definitely be back for more."
"Of course I am very happy and thrilled to have made it all the way to the Finals. I have always looked up at Daigo as a role model and he is one of the strongest competitors in the world. I had to push my car to the limit just to match him and as a result, I spun out. But the result is still a great one for me and my team," commented Budihardjo.
The next leg of the championship will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, and onto the final stage scheduled to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Saito came in first during the qualifying round on Day one, with a score of 92. On day two, the Japanese drifter dealt a convincing win over Malaysia’s Muhammad Zaiham Hamdan in his 2001 Nissan Silvia in the Round of 16. He went against Emmanuel Adwitya Amandio from Indonesia and Robbie Nishida in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
Notably, Indonesia's Rio Saputro Budhardjo gave the audience a wonderful performance. At the helm of a Nissan Cefiro A31, the Indonesian stormed into the finals against Saito, after putting out Malaysia's Ser Ming Hui and one of the favourites of the year Ken Gushi. In the final stage, Budhardjo spun out on the first run, putting the reigning champion in advantage. However, things took a change when Saito was penalised for straightening out at the final clipping point, thus forcing the twin to have a go at it again. The intense pressure on the rookie was perhaps the cause of the breaking point - Budhardjo spun out in his second run as he struggles to close up the significant gap that was left by Saito.
Sharing his joy at the win, Saito said, "I am pleased to win the Achilles Formula Drift Singapore for a second time and it was a tough final against Budihardjo. He has been in great form all weekend and I had to focus and give it my best shot to retain the title. I have always enjoyed the event here in Singapore as the crowd is always cheering us on and I will definitely be back for more."
"Of course I am very happy and thrilled to have made it all the way to the Finals. I have always looked up at Daigo as a role model and he is one of the strongest competitors in the world. I had to push my car to the limit just to match him and as a result, I spun out. But the result is still a great one for me and my team," commented Budihardjo.
The next leg of the championship will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, and onto the final stage scheduled to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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