James Deane earned his first win of the season, as Formula Drift made its track debut at Stafford Motor Speedway. The victory promoted Deane to the top of the championship standings with four rounds remaining.
Ben Hobson placed his Mustang RTR Spec-5 eighth and Deane 12th during a qualifying session with adverse track conditions, advancing them to the same side of the Top 32 bracket.
Both Hobson and Deane won their Top 32 and Top 16 battles. In the Great Eight, Hobson had a bye run and advanced to the Final Four as competitor Dylan Hughes was unable to fix his car in time for the battle. Deane succeeded in his Great Eight battle, setting the stage for him to face Hobson in the Final Four.
Only one of the two RTR teammates could make the final. A close battle between the two resulted in Deane moving forward in his campaign, while Hobson finished fourth—his best result of the season. In the final, Deane clinched the win after his competitor Jack Shanahan went off course during Deane’s lead run.
UNOFFICIAL FORD FINISHING RESULTS:
1st – James Deane
4th– Ben Hobson
James Deane, No. 130 RTR Vehicles Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5 FD – “What a night for the RTR Vehicles Drift team and Ford Racing! We got to battle my teammate Ben Hobson, who I’m so proud of, in the final four, and he gave me a run. Then to cap it all off with my first win of the season and take the points lead was just incredible. I’m going to enjoy this one for a few days and then it’s setting our sights on round 5 to start the second half of the season.”
Ben Hobson No. 213 RTR Vehicles Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5 FD – “We showed up to Round 4 ready to rock and threw down a bunch of amazing lead and chase runs. All that led to my first PRO final four appearance with my boy James Deane and what a dream come true that was. I am beyond stoked with our performance and the performance of the Pennzoil Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD! Now we go back and get ready for round 5!! I can’t wait to see what Indianapolis has in store for us.”
