Hankook Press Release - PD Rd4
Eric O’Sullivan dominates on his return to Irish Drifting.
2007 Prodrift Champion Eric O’Sullivan made a sensational return to Irish drifting yesterday as he dominated both qualification and Top16 Battles in front of a capacity Mondello Park audience as part of the annual Japfest tuning show.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/...7b075ff7f7.jpg
Driving his world famous Honda powered Toyota Corolla, the local Dublin driver showed all the hallmarks of his previous European form by taking pole position in the Prodrift Super Lap qualification system ahead of championship leader James Deane. O’Sullivan carried this form into the all important Top 16 Battles and defeated Chris Brady, Mike Fitzgerald, Alan Sinnott and James Deane to claim the outright win.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/...d2101e8fab.jpg
Over the course of the weekend competition, teams were faced with difficult track conditions as rain showers regularly interupted dry spells of weather. Team Hankook prepared their drivers with a mix of Ventus K105 and Ventus V12 Evo tyres, ensuring that any available traction was maximised at all times.
Competing on the K105 Tyre, O’Sullivan used every available ounce of his 250 horsepower Toyota to defeat the more powerful machinery of his opponents, consistently delivering high-speed, accurate runs. On a course layout that favours speed and momentum over brute power and torque, O’Sullivans tactics prevailed as he swept the boards with a maximum Championship points haul.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/...4152634aec.jpg
O’Sullivan’s Hankook team-mate Alan Sinnott narrowly missed out on his fourth consecutive podium finishing 4th overall. Losing out to O’Sullivan in the semi final stages of the competition, Sinnott was unable to overcome Mike Deane in the consolation battle for third position but nevertheless took home valuable championship points that will stand to the Carlow driver as the Final Prodrift event of the season approachs in Fermoy, Co.Cork.
Speaking on the victory, Eric O’Sullivan said “It felt great to be back out in competitive battles again, and to come away with the pole position and the victory is a huge bonus. The car ran flawlessly all weekend and the Hankook K105’s worked a treat in the tricky conditions. I’ve had a very difficult year in Formula Drift USA this year so to win amongst such talented drivers at Mondello Park is a huge boost of confidence ahead of the remaining American events in 2010”.
http://www.hankook.ie/wp-content/upl...er-485x323.jpg
Managing Director of Hankook Ireland, Niall Murray echoed O’Sulivans sentiments following the event. “The whole team faced many different challenges this weekend in Mondello Park. Although dealing with a variety of challenges for grip & traction, our guys delivered in the most spectacular fashion. For Eric and Alan to come away with such successful results is testiment to our team, drivers and tyres. Everyone is delighted to see Eric returning to wining ways and we wish him the very best of luck in his forthcoming USA competitions”.
Eric O’Sullivan now prepares for Round 6 of the Formula Drift USA series in Northern California next weekend where he will drive the Hankook/Seibon Subaru Sti. For the Hankook Ireland team, all eyes are on the final Prodrift Event of the season which will take place in Fermoy, Co.Cork on September 25th & 26th.
