K&N-sponsored Matt Coffman after the race at his home track, Evergreen Speedway | In 2015, Matt Coffman looked to be a contender for the 2016 Formula Drift Championship with some stellar rounds under his sophomore belt. For 2016, he took his S13 even further and improved even more with a 16th place finish in the points standings. Here we’re looking back at last year’s FD season and look forward to 2017.The off season can be tough on any driver – knocking the cobwebs off and getting used to driving the car again. This year, mother nature decided she wanted to add to that challenge and rained during the event. Well, despite the fact these guys purposely break traction and get sideways, Formula Drift is a rain or shine event. Good thing Matt Coffman has Rally experience under his belt. “Being from Oregon,” he stated, “I had learned to drift on the dirt roads on the cliffs in the mountains, many times finding myself in the rain.” The Streets of Long Beach is also the toughest course for drivers as there are no run off opportunities and the walls can spell disaster for anyone. Matt was able to power though for a Top 32 finish where many seasoned drivers struggled. 
Matt Coffman pitching it sideways at Road Atlanta | Road Atlanta is a favorite for many drivers, including Coffman. “I always love going to Georgia. Road Atlanta is probably my favorite event out of the whole season.” It’s easy to see why it’s also a fan favorite with the festival atmosphere, the heritage, and the big speeds on that first entry into 10A. “It is known for the 100+ mph entry, the enormous 26,000 plus crowd, and the generations of Motorsport heritage and passion that seem to flood the track every year.” This event would also end up with a Top 32 finish for Coffman.The third round was the second year Formula Drift would visit Orlando Speedworld’s oval track. “This place is hot, mucky, and does not have a very aggressive bank for the small size of the oval,” said Coffman about the track. This is the first oval track of the season that Formula Drift competes on, the rest are Evergreen Speedway, Wall Speedway, and Irwindale. Compared to each of those, Orlando’s bank is very flat and gravity doesn’t try to pull you back down as much as the other do. However, a flat oval with a big bump in the middle of the course is a challenge. “Being someone who achieved their Pro license on a small oval through the Golden Gate Drift Pro Am, I am always ready to drag on the wall as much as I can given that ovals tend to have a lot of them.” Matt was able to pull out another Top 32. 
Formula Drift driver Matt Coffman heading into the Horseshoe at Road Atlanta | Speaking of ovals, the next round was at Wall Speedway, in Wall Township, New Jersey. The most aggressive bank and a wall that reminds many of a cheese grater more than anything else, this track is unforgiving if you push too hard on the initial turn in on the bank. While mechanical gremlins had prevented the team from doing well here, in 2016 they were worked out and Matt pulled off a great qualifying run and another Top 32 finish. “This round is always an interesting round for me,” he said, “In the prior two years of competition, we had been plagued with all sorts of mechanical issues, from ignition problems to fuel pump issues, so much to the point we had been inhibited from really making a great round or even qualifying. All that changed for us in 2016 with a high qualifying score and great show to boot.”2016 marked the first year a Formula Drift Pro round would take place outside of the United States. “Our first international round of competition for me and my team was an incredibly exciting one,” said Matt, “The opportunity to go to very historic Montreal to compete was a real honor for me.” It must have really sunk in as he brought back a Great Eight finish at Autodrome St-Eustache, a course that features a small banked turn and a true road race style interior course, it was one for the books and one many of the fans and drivers really liked. Then came what feels mostly like a home track for Coffman, Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. “The reason being that this was the first formula D track I got to drive before turning Pro.” While, from the outside, the bank looks very tame, it is very aggressive for the radius it pulls off. “The big bank is intimidating to most drivers but not for me. I love going to Evergreen due to the fact it is in my very own region of the Pacific Northwest. A lot of the drivers and friends I’ve met over the years normally show up and let me know they are out there rooting for the team and me.” Once again, Matt used that momentum to take a Fourth-Place finish at Evergreen. “We were able to pull off a 4th place finish, our highest finishing position yet in Formula D. I can’t wait to return for a podium in 2017.” 
K&N-sponsored Formula D driver Matt Coffman goes international at Autodromo St-Eustache | The season then winds all the way down into the heart of Texas at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. While they don’t compete on the one-mile oval, Formula Drift does utilize the interior road course. “Big straights, big transitions, and big speeds for this track,” Matt commented, “This also is a contender on the list for favorite track just because I enjoy drifting on road courses as opposed to ovals.” Matt pulled off a solid qualifying effort and came back home with a Top 32.Finally, we come down to the original, the birth place of drifting in the US, and known as The House of Drift – Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California. It’s one of the finest facilities in Formula Drift and brings out sold out crowds year after year, even as rumors persist that each year will be its last. “The final round of the season, Irwindale is a gem in the world of American drifting,” says Matt, “It was the first place a drift event had ever been held in America in the early 2000s. I try to take in everything I can when I go to Irwindale due to the fact the property is awaiting to be demolished and rebuilt into a shopping mall. Although there have been many false alarms as to when the facility might close for good, we still try to not take it for granted.” Since it was the end of the year, he went full aggressive and didn’t let up. “I decided to change it up with an entry style that I hadn't seen anyone else try before at Irwindale. As soon as the light goes green, I floor it and don't lift until I cross the finish line. It worked out well for us as it seemed no one quite had us matched for speed coming off the bank. I can’t wait to run the wall again next year.” 
Matt Coffman showing the field how it is done at Evergreen Speedway | Matt brought home his sixth Top 32 to finish out the year in sixteenth in points, which will allow him to retain his Formula Drift Pro license and prove, once again, he’s not one to brush aside in the championship chase. “This year was an incredible one for my team and me,” he says, “It was by far the most successful year for us so far. We had a near podium in Formula D and wins in rally racing. However, it is nothing compared to what 2017 is going to be. I would like to thank all the people who support us and what we do. I would like to thank my fans, sponsors, K&N, my team, my family, and my friends for helping us create the dreams of many.” We can’t wait to see what Coffman has in store for everyone in Formula Drift this season. |
