DriftingGymkhana GRiD

Ryan Tuerck makes Gymkhana début at Santa Pod

1 Mins read

Formula Drift star Ryan Tuerck took part in his first Gymkhana event last weekend, joining Ken Block‘s Gymkhana GRiD for the season finale at Santa Pod Raceway in the United Kingdom.

The American, who was behind the wheel of Block’s recently unveiled Hoonigan Ford Escort Mk II, took part if various runs throughout the weekend before taking on RWD champion Luke Woodham at the end of the weekend.

Tuerck beat two-time champion Woodham, setting a record time in the process to cap off a big first weekend in Gymkhana for the New Hampshire native.

TuerckTCF1

Credit: Dominik Wilde/Dominik Wilde Motorsport

The Escort that Tuerck drove, making it’s first ever public appearance, is powered by a 2.5 Millington engine churning out 333 horsepower. Built in collaboration by teams in the UK and US, the Hoonigan Escort clearly left an impression on Tuerck following it’s maiden outing.

“It was phenomenal,” said Tuerck. “As soon as I got behind the wheel of the thing I already felt at home for the most part and it just kept getting better and better as I got more acquainted with it. It was  an honour to put it though it’s paces in it’s first competition and hopefully I’ll be able to do more of that in the future.”

“I dinged it a couple of times but I didn’t tell Ken until just now,” he added. “The car is such a compact car and a short wheelbase and you can see out the windscreen quite well so you can really kind of pick your lines really good and get super close to the obstacles out there on the course and make it exciting.”

Avatar photo
333 posts

About author
Dominik Wilde is a professional motorsport and motoring writer that has covered events in both the UK and USA. His main focus for the Checkered Flag is covering Americas Rallycross and Nitro Rallycross.
Articles
Related posts
DriftingWRC2

Pajari retires from DMEC in Finland due to technical issues

1 Mins read
WRC2 star Sami Pajari will miss out on his drifting debut in Drift Masters European Championship this weekend due to a technical issue
Gymkhana GRiD

Gymkhana GRiD revived with fall 2023 launch

1 Mins read
In Ken Block’s memory, the Gymkhana GRiD will make its return in the fall after last being run in 2019.
DriftingOff Road

Mint 400 partners with Formula DRIFT for 2023

1 Mins read
Formula DRIFT will conduct a demo at the Mint 400’s start/finish midway during the week building up to the famed off-road race.