Bakchis Battles for Third at 2025 Formula DRIFT Orlando

After a rain-soaked event at Road Atlanta, Team ENEOS traveled to Orlando Speed World in Florida for Round 3 of the 2025 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship. Coming off strong finishes with Fredric Aasbo and Odi Bakchis securing second and third place respectively in the previous round, the team aimed to maintain their success. This round, however, turned into one of the most unpredictable and wild PRO rounds in recent memory. With little practice time due to weather conditions and various drivers crashing or spilling oil on the track, Aasbo and Bakchis had to focus harder for the task at hand.

two race cars on a track with smoke coming out of the front

Aasbo was poised to continue delivering pain to his competitors, qualifying second with the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra. He faced Nick Noback in the Top 32 and Daniel Stuke in the Top 16 before pairing up against Japanese teen sensation Hiroya Minowa in the Great 8. The veteran driver who’s referred to Minowa as the “future of FD” executed a signature pass, filling every zone with infeasible speed during his lead run — the only problem: Minowa stuck right to him. Minowa was then able to replicate the Norwegian Hammer’s same precision on his lead and Aasbo uncharacteristically struggled to maintain proximity, a once unimaginable feat that came true. The judges awarded the win to Minowa, who would go on to face Aasbo’s Team ENEOS teammate, Odi Bakchis in the Final 4.

“What a wild Orlando weekend,” Aasbo said. “It wasn’t our best on track, but we’re in the fight thanks to ENEOS lubricants!”

As the round’s third place qualifier, Bakchis was hungry for first. He commandeered the Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S14.9 aggressively to his final battle of the day against Minowa in the Final 4. While Bakchis’ fearsome reputation for speed and precision showed on his lead run, Minowa — similarly to how he battled Aasbo — also stuck it to Bakchis’ door. With the roles reversed, Odi made a small mistake where the two cars touched, forcing the veteran to drop back slightly, unable to regain proximity. Bakchis was then solidified as the third place finisher, whereas Minowa would go on to finish first.

“This was an insane event — it was wet, dry, hot, and practice was tricky,” said Bakchis. “We put the car through all sorts of hell, but ENEOS oil kept it running smoothly, no matter how hard we beat on it. This is my second podium in a row, good points for the Championship!”

Following the Orlando round, Aasbo moved up to first in the overall Championship with 110 points, taking the lead over James Deane by 10 points; Bakchis is now fifth in the overall standings with 80 points (tied equally following Minowa and Jhonnattan Castro).

NEXT RACE

Team ENEOS faces its final East Coast round at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey for Round 4: The Gauntlet from June 19-21.