Scott & Joey are back for FDSEA on Behind The Wheel Podcast: FD Edition!!!

On this special edition episode of BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST, Scott and Joey Redmond of Wrecked Magazine discuss what went down at Formula Drifts Seattle Round 5 in Evergreen Speedway and much more! Tune in and give us some feedback!

Behind the Wheel Podcast

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Sound Cloud:

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Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig): Scott_Konig
Joey Redmond (Wrecked Magazine): joeyredmond
Konig Wheels USA Instagram: @konigwheelsusa

Lawrence battles it out at FDSEA!!!

Kevin Lawrence takes over the blog as he recaps how it all went down for him and the Enjuku Racing team at Formula Drift Seattle in Evergreen Speedway!!

“Thursday.

Thursday is a easy practice day for the Pro1 group as we don’t have to worry about qualifying till the following day so this gives us time to get in some vial practice laps and dial in our cars. Practice was running smooth and I was able to get in 5 laps in our first session, We opted to do a minor gear change to take out some wheel speed and get some grip in the car for the infield section. Practice session 2 went great and the gear change was exactly what I wanted but caused a bit of push in the front end. At that time we realized my front tires have been on the car for more than one round so first thing Friday was to get on a new set of fronts for practice. After the 8 laps on Thursday I was feeling comfortable just needed to work on my line a bit on the bank but figured the front-end push was most of my issue.

Friday.

After swapping on a new set of front tires I had 4 laps left allowed before I was up for qualifying. The new tires did help massively with my front end push issue, and I was able to get my line dialed in better than Thursday but was still struggling with keeping the high line on the bank all the way through but was ready for qualifying none the less. Now up to the line for my first qualifying pass I get the thumbs up to go and I’m off. Saw through the gears on run up and get into 4th as I break the tires loose and huck the car towards the wall and stab the throttle. I’m running a relatively high line but start to come down about 70% through the track. I throw angle to slow the car as I enter the touch and go and transition into the power alley wall. Tight on the first inner clip as well as the final after the transition and through the finish line. Judges awarded me a score of a 76 on that pass and I knew I could do better. Back up to the line for pass 2 and I knew I had to clean up my line on the bank if I wanted to gain a higher score. I enter again on the high line and persuade the car to stay on the higher line longer but still come up a bit short just before the end. I built up more speed on this run and pitched big angle going into the touch and go, This however was the demise of my run as the additional angle slowed me down too much and I didn’t make it into the the touch and go which threw off my lines flow going into the power alley. I exited the power alley rear zone late and was able to tighten up the rest of the course well but knew the miss on the touch and go would hinder some points. I did end up with a score of a 78 which bettered my first, I just wish I had gotten to that touch and go to get a score in the 80s to get me a higher qualifying spot. I ended up qualifying 23rd, which put me up against 10th place qualifier Dai Yoshihara for my top 32 battle.

Saturday.

Just before lunch is our time for tandem practice before the battles begin, I was able to get in 4 laps 2 lead and 2 follow runs to try and gauge my cars speed against the rest and feel out the track conditions. Car felt good but was still fighting to stay on the high line on the bank but I was making it work the best I could as it looked like others were having the same issue. Pulling up to the line I was to follow Dai in his Turbo V8 BRZ. We leave the line and initiate on the bank, my car was rather gripped up and had much more speed on the bank, which hindered my driving. I made a few corrections trying to mimic his line on the bank as I kept gaining proximity and when I would try and slow down a bit with some left foot brake the car would bobble and it showed massively. I gain composure after the touch and go and am able to reel him in and finish the course with great proximity. Switching positions now we leave the line and I enter on the bank, nearly immediately I pull a gap on him and continue to do so most of the bank, 80% through the bank I start feeling the car get greasy in the rear and knew it couldn’t be a good thing. I pitch the car big angle coming off the bank towards the touch and go to slow down and then realized that all my side bite was gone, I did all I could to keep the car going but unfortunately it was either rotate the car or go head on into the power alley wall. As the smoke cleared and Dai came to a screeching halt just a few feet from me, Thankfully he was able to see I was in trouble and was able to avoid the collision. My left rear tire ended up getting too hot from our battles and coming apart on the bank, which caused it to loose its grip. Dai was awarded the easy win due to my spin, which would end my driving for the weekend on one of my favorite tracks of the year.

Seattle was a learning experience and an eye opener for the team and I our new 3.2l RB engine ran beautifully, The car has more speed than ever before so now its just a matter of time before we are collecting wins and working our way to the podium. Thanks everyone for all their help and support, St. Louis is just a few weeks out and is a new track for everyone so it will be interesting to see how quickly all the teams can adapt and have their cars performing at the new location.

See you guys in St. Louis!”

Kevin is running Konig Dekagram in 17×9 et 25mm front and 18×9.5 et 25 rear. The Konig Dekagram is Flow Formed.

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Matt Vankirk takes over Behind The Wheel Podcast!!!

Matt Vankirk joins us on Episode 5 of Behind the Wheel podcast! Currently the leading FD Pro Rookie of the year, Scott sits down with Matt and talk the ups and downs of jumping from PRO2 to PRO, having to work a full time job while being a FD driver and also, will driving simulators a part of the future for the sport? All this and much more in this awesome episode!

If you like what you hear and see, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!

Matt Vankirk

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Stitcher:

itunes google play youtube stitcher

Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Matt Vankirk: @mattvankirk18
https://www.instagram.com/mattvankirk18/

Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Behind The Wheel Podcast: – EP05 – Matt Vankirk

MATT VANKIRK is a formula drift Pro driver and is currently leading the FD Rookie of the Year race. With half a season under his belt Matt discusses what it is like to compete with the best drifters in the world. VanKirk’s entire team operate on extremely tight budgets and without the safety nets of spare parts! Heck, the engine in his pro car right now is even a junk yard 2JZ. Even with all of that VanKirk and his entire team show so much love toward each other, their fans and the sport of drifting that its hard not to immediately become a fan after having some exposure to their program.

Matt also takes time to discuss his rise through grassroots drifting in to professional competition. One of the most interesting take aways from this conversation is Matt’s input and thoughts on the use of homemade driving simulators to learn, practice and even preview tracks with specific car setups. “ Drift Simulators “ are allowing drivers to enter the scene with an in-depth understanding of driving technique which fasttracks their progress.

Could driving simulators be the future of the sport and even lead to its growth in participation?

Make sure to take a few minutes to listen in and as always you can use our timeline cheatsheet to jump around in the podcast and hear what excites you the most.

Thanks for all of your support and listening!

And please, if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and we always put the full video interviews on our YouTube Channel (links below)! Thank you for listening!

CONTENT CHEAT MENU (podcast audio):
0:18 | Intro / 10 question quick-fire
3:32 | Introducing Matt Vankirk
4:03 | We just met… and it felt like Family
5:03 | We do it for free… team roles
6:43 | Getting the team together
11:00 | Moving to a V8 powered car
11:40 | Police cornered us at a storage unit
12:35 | It’s getting hot in here…fire everywhere!
14:08 | Who does most of the car build work
14:39 | What is your program like to run?
16:28 | Running a Pro FD Program with a full-time job
17:41 | Typical event week
18:33 | Prepping the car
19:03 | Gambling… no spare parts!
21:20 | Go pro 1 or not
22:55 | The car is not competitive! It has a stock 2JZ junkyard bottom end
23:27 | I’m going on the record… (Scott – Konig)
25:32 | It’s not the power, it’s the torque – 2JZ talk
28:28 | A new car for next year?
29:10 | If I had to make this car better
36:26 | Reliability change to Pro 1 (of drivers)
37:52 | First exposure to cars
39:34 | First exposure to drifting
42:06 | Street drifting and the cops (arrested)
44:19 | Any FD Driver you look up too?
45:03 | Running your first Pro 1 event
46:07 | Dealt some tough matches
48:14 | Going from 225 to 275 tire
49:47 | Do you think about the “Rookie of the year” race?
50:59 | First time driving some of these tracks
51:34 | Using drift simulators to preview tracks
55:24 | Driving simulators in drifting
1:00:14 | Will simulators become a popular tool in drifting
1:01:17 | Advice for building your own simulator
1:03:26 | Are you on twitch?
1:04:43 | #neverletgo
1:07:49 | “My girlfriend drifts too!”
1:09:59 | Final thoughts: Where do you see yourself drift wise in 3-5 years?
1:12:50 | FD judging is improving the sport
1:13:54 | Where to find Matt / outro

 

FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Matt Vankirk: @mattvankirk18
https://www.instagram.com/mattvankirk18/

Matt Vankirk Website:
http://mvkracing.com/

More on the Konig Behind The Wheel Podcast and to SUBSCRIBE:
https://konigwheels.compodcast

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Wiborg recaps TANU RD 3 at Mantorp Park!!!

TANU: Kinnekulle Ring – ROUND 3 | June 29th and 30th

The Big Lap Record!

This weekend it was time for round 3 of TANU this time at the most legendary track in Scandinavia, Mantorp Park.

The team headed up to the track early on Friday morning after working late on Thursday to get the car ready (late arrival of parts for the new silencer setup). Having found and fixed the boost/missfire issue from Rd2 the team had big hopes for the weekend. Going out in practice session 1 the car felt good and the engine was running very nicely at full boost with no issues at all. However the joy was short as on the 3rd lap at full boost in 5th gear there was a huge boom noise and the engine lost all power. Coming into the pits it was found out that it was not to bad as it was only the pressure hose from the outlet of the turbo that had simply burst under the boost pressure. A new pressure hose was fitted and the team headed out for practice 3. However during the first full throttle run on the straight the same boom and boost pressure was gone again. This time however the hose hadn´t burst but simply slid of the pipe. The problem with the spare hose was that it was slightly shorter then the original hose that was secured by double clamps at each end. However this was not possible with the shorter hose. The team tried some different solution to fix it for practice 4 but to no affect so it was simply to pack it up for the day. Meanwhile in our hometown Street Performance had already prepared and delivered a big box of all different kind of premium pressure hoses from their shop for the team to bring with us on Saturday morning.

Saturday – Race day
With new (better) hoses fitted and secured the team headed out for the warmup, Unfortunately one of the Pro cars in the heat before had a engine failure and poured out oil on the track. The Xtreme Rescue Team that TANU uses during their events did a great and quick job (as usual) to fix the track but unfortunately the delay meant only 1 warmup lap could be done. At least it was enough to see that the hoses stayed on at full boost.
Now it was time for Q1.

Coming out to Q1 not a single complete lap had been run at full attack but fearing that more issues could occur there was no gambling and a fast lap was to be put down directly. Two warmup laps where done and then the first attack lap was started. The car felt amazing and coming over the finish line the dash showed the time 1.14.49 beating the old track record of 1.14,6. A second lap was started but in the second corner however the next issue arrived as the brake fluid boiled and all brake performance was gone. It was simply the fact that at the fast Mantorp and running at the higher power the front discs was simply to small to handle the engery put in and thus boiling the brake fluid (to much weight savings). The entire team was quite shocked that the (supposedly hardest to beat) record had been broken on the first attack lap. It was now time to crush it….

The car was pitted and prepared for Q2. Knowing we only had 1 lap to put in a good time the tire pressures was adjusted accordingly. However the troubles was not over as during the warmup lap something in the front suspension broke in a right hand corner. After coming back into the pit it was found out that the wheel bearing hub had split into two. The team went to work to get the car ready for the Final and it was rolled out of the garage just 5 min before the closing of check in.
Winning the race was ofcourse of big importance so to not risk it the brakes was not used at all during the warmup lap thus having cold tires starting the attack lap (impossible to get enough heat in the front racing slicks without braking). It was a full attack lap and coming up on half lap distance the time was almost exactly the same as the record lap from Q1. During the second half of the lap the tire temp came up and the lap could be finished of almost 1 second quicker meaning a new lap record of 1.13.525 destroying the old record. The second lap was started but in the last corner before the long straight the brake fluid boiled again and the lap had to be aborted. The time up on the previous lap in the first sector? A whopping 0.8 seconds.

The team is super happy with another win and to crush the overall tintop track record. Regards to the what could of been lap, don´t worry in 5 weeks time it´s time for the biggest event of the year at TANUs time attack festival at, you guessed it Mantorp Park.

So if you want to see a new track record be sure to save the date, also the rumors says an update package is being fitted for the time attack festival. Don´t miss it!

#UltimateEVO #No1 #TANU2018

A big thank you to all the amazing people involved in this Ultimate EVO build, without you this would not be possible!!!

Frederik is running Konig Hypergrams in 18×9.5 et 25mm all around in Matte Grey. The Konig Hypergram is Flow Formed.

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Wheel & Tire Giveaway – Caleb Quanbeck

Wheel & Tire Giveaway – Caleb Quanbeck
 
Konig Wheels U.S.A. and Tire Streets have teamed up with Caleb Quanbeck to give a lucky participant a chance to win a set of Wheels and tires for FREE! Below are the rules you must follow to be eligible for this giveaway!

TO ENTER:

1. Follow @konigwheelusa and @tirestreets
2. Repost / Share the image below
3. Use hashtag #quangiveaway

Giveaway rule points:

– Giveaway eligibility closes FRIDAY JULY 27th 2018
– Open to Continental U.S. only
– Winner will be contacted via Instagram Direct Message by Caleb Quanbeck.
– The winner has 24 hours to reply to the message.  If the response is after that 24 hour period the prize is considered forfeited and another winner will be selected.  The process will be repeated until a successful winner is confirmed.
– One (1) Prize package will be awarded to selected and confirmed giveaway winner. 
– Prize consists of 4pcs Konig wheels (1 set) and 4pcs Accelera brand tires (1 set).
– Winner must choose same diameter tire and wheel.
– Winner must choose a wheel and tire that are in-stock at the time of being chosen.  No substitutions and the winner is non-transferable. 
– Winner must be considered an Adult in the state they reside.
 
Images to repost / share (download instructions below):
Quan Giveaway
[TO DOWNLOAD]
From mobile device:
Hold down finger on image and select “save image”
 
From a desktop computer:
Right click on image and select “Save Image As”
 
For more updates and more info follow:
Caleb Quanbeck: @calebquanbeck
https://www.instagram.com/calebquanbeck/
 
Have you listen to THE BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST yet? Check out Caleb Quanbeck in Episode 02!!!
Available on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube and Stitcher! SUBSCRIBE: https://konigwheels.compodcast

QUICK SHIFT: Kevin Lawrence!!!

On this episode of The BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST: QUICK SHIFT edition, we are joined by none other than Formula Drift Pro and Pro 2 driver, Kevin Lawrence!

After a successful 2017 season and being crowned PRO2 CHAMPION, Kevin Lawrence returned primarily as a rookie in the FD PRO Championship series! Kevin is running both Pro and Pro2 seasons at the same time in 2 different cars (S14 and R32) and he gives us feedback on the differences in both classes. Also, drops some knowledge to the pro-am, grassroots drivers on what it takes to run a successful and competition ready program!

If you like what you hear and see, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!

Quick Shift Ryan Litteral

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Stitcher:

itunes google play youtube stitcher

Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Kevin Lawrence: @k_lawrence352
https://www.instagram.com/k_lawrence352/

Enjuku Racing: @enjukuracing
https://www.instagram.com/enjukuracing/

Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Behind The Wheel Podcast – Quick Shift: Kevin Lawrence

In this Quick Shift Edition of the Behind The Wheel Podcast, we link up with KEVIN LAWRENCE, Formula Drift Pro, and Pro2 driver.

We find out what it’s like being the current “RB King” of Formula Drift, running both Pro and Pro2 seasons at the same time in 2 different cars (S14 and R32), making the jump from Pro2 to Pro, being a Pro1 rookie and driving new tracks.

Kevin also drops some knowledge and tips for the grassroots drivers that are working toward advancing their programs and takes us through the types of adjustments and changes that happen every round to bring the car from the trailer to a competitive state.

Make sure to follow Kevin and Enjuku Racing (information below).

Oh and if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes and Google Play! Thank you for listening!



FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Ryan Litteral: @k_lawrence352
https://www.instagram.com/k_lawrence352/

Enjuku Racing: @enjukuracing
https://www.instagram.com/enjukuracing/

More on the Konig Behind The Wheel Podcast and to SUBSCRIBE:
https://konigwheels.compodcast

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Speed Academy’s PETER TARACH on Behind The Wheel Podcast!

On this episode of the Konig BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST we chat with former editor-in-chief of Modified Magazine and current co-mastermind behind the online and YouTube automotive content source Speed Academy, Peter Tarach!

After the closing of Modified Magazine in 2014, Peter was at a stand still. In this podcast he gives us his journey onto how he co-found Speed Academy with Dave Pratte. As well as gives us insight on being a YouTuber, the automotive industry, the marketing world and much more!

Stay tuned because this one is for sure a good one! You can head to the podcast page below and see the timecode cheatsheet to jump around!

If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!

Behind the Wheel Podcast

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Sound Cloud:

itunes google play youtube sound cloud

Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Speed Academy: @speedacademy
https://www.instagram.com/speedacademy/

Speed Academy Website:
http://speed.academy/

Speed Academy Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/spdacademy

Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Konig Wheels USA: @konigwheelsusa
https://www.instagram.com/konigwheelsusa/

Behind The Wheel Podcast: – EP04 – Peter Tarach (Speed Academy)

Peter Tarach, former editor-in-chief of Modified Magazine and current co-mastermind behind the online and YouTube automotive content source Speed Academy, lends us his time to talk about cars, the automotive industry, magazines, losing his job after the closing of Modified Magazine, car features, being a YouTuber, turning out content and so much more!

Pete was the written voice behind some of the most memorable car features over the past 15 years. In 2014 his time as Editor-In-Chief of Modified Magazine came to a halt as Source Interlink (the then owner of Modified Magazine) made a decision to close the magazine. After leaving modified magazine Pete brought his voice and love of automotive forward by co-starting Speed Academy with Dave Pratte. Tarach’s knowledge and love of the automotive industry and cars, in general, allows an extremely unique perspective. If you have the time, this is a great listen and even offers new Youtubers some extremely vital tips in growing their channel.

And please, if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and we always put the full video interviews on our YouTube Channel (links below)! Thank you for listening!




CONTENT CHEAT MENU (podcast audio):
0:18 | Intro
0:27 | 10 Question Quick Fire
5:52 | Meet Peter Tarach
6:53 | Don’t have time…use our cheat sheet!
7:15 | Praise!
8:15 | Ran its course [leaving Modified Magazine]
9:14 | You had the fortitude
10:20 | Originally Speed Academy was going to be a blog…
12:04 | Dave Pratte
14:00 | Modified Magazine was born in Canada
14:45 | What brought you to cars?
16:00 | DSM beginnings
21:35 | Becoming a magazine editor
23:58 | Does film school help with Youtube?
24:13 | What else besides a magazine editor?
25:13 | What do you do for a living?
26:51 | The Modified days
30:01 | All about car features
36:50 | What did Modified mean to you?
40:05 | More content, NOW!
44:53 | About more than followers
46:00 | Work hard… have faith!
48:36 | Long-term plan for Speed Academy
51:25 | What does your day of work look like?
53:20 | The struggles… the planning
01:01:06 | Planning current builds
01:02:28 | How many builds
01:04:00 | Plan for the cars
01:05:59 | Cool build for the future
01:07:08 | B is for build vs. Speed Academy
01:10:27 | Do comments ever get to you?
01:12:07 | Modified comes to an end
01:14:36 | Between “jobs” / Starting Speed Academy and starting a YouTube channel
01:17:24 | Speed Academy doubts
01:18:20 | What would you do in another life?
01:19:45 | Branding vs. Production
01:21:00 | Looking for more help
01:24:54 | Shooting schedules
01:26:17 | Disagreements
01:27:00 | YouTube scene in 1-3 years
01:31:30 | Facebook / Facebook vidoes
01:34:52 | Tips for new YouTubers
01:37:40 | Final thoughts / 5 years from now
01:38:53 | Wrap up

FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Speed Academy: @speedacademy
https://www.instagram.com/speedacademy/

Speed Academy Website:
http://speed.academy/

Speed Academy Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/spdacademy
More on the Konig Behind The Wheel Podcast and to SUBSCRIBE:
https://konigwheels.compodcast

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