25 August 2010, for immediate release: Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, 27, was awarded a Formula Drift professional driver’s license at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after being named champion of the 2010 Vegas Pro Am series on Saturday, 21 August 2010. The final Vegas Pro Am round took place on the same course utilized by the Formula Drift Pro Championship only minutes after the Pro Am finished. Bakchis was awarded the license on the Formula Drift podium after only one season of drifting competitively in amateur events.

A southern California local and seasoned rally driver, Bakchis placed first in two of the four 2010 Vegas Pro Am events and placed third on the 21 August 2010 event. Bakchis began drifting at Adam’s Motorsports Park in Riverside, California in February 2009 after purchasing a 1989 Nissan 240 SX and began competitively drifting after approximately eight months of practice. Bakchis also drove his “underpowered” Nissan to a second place finish at Round 2 of the Top Drift series at Willow Springs International Raceway and to an exciting win at the 2010 XDC Round 2 event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sponsors including 702 Graphics, Clutch Masters, Dstroyr, Godspeed Project, R Rated Motorsports, and Turboimport.com have represented Bakchis throughout the 2010 drift season. A promising driver, Bakchis intends to aggressively compete in the 2011 Formula Drift Pro Championship series.
Amy Bakchis

Watch live video from driftstream on Justin.tv

VegasProAm round 4 will take place on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Formula Drift course!! This is the final round of the VegasProAm season. Round four schedule is TBA within a two week window. Practice and qualification will occur on August 20th. For those who qualify, a brief practice and competition will take place on August 21st. This is for advanced drivers only!

Drivers Register Here

VegasProAm follows a Formula Drift style event format to help drivers get the feel of what will be expected from them at the next level of competition.

Series Prizes: Series Champion will receive

* A Formula Drift Pro License
* 1 set of CP Pistons
* 1 set of Carrillo Rods
* 2 Belle 1 Communications Formula Drift Freq Programed Motorola UHF Radios
* $500.00 in Sparco Gift Certificates

Series 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place will receive
* Invitations to the Formula Drift ProAm Nationals

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a beginner event?
A: NO.

Q: Will there be on-site tire changing?
A: Yes!

Q: Do I need a roll cage and racing suit to participate?
A: Yes, roll cage, racing suit and helmet will require tech inspection.

Q: Will I be able to participate in Tandem with a bolt in cage?
A: Yes – however if you earn your license or are awarded an invitation to ProAm Nationals your car has to meet all of the tech requirements in the Formula Drift ProAm

Q: How many “racing/bucket” seats are required for Tandem?
A: You will only need one “Bucket” Seat and one certified harness

Q: Do i need a full fire suppression system?
A: We require one 2lbs extinguisher mounted securely with a quick release, within an arms distance, while the driver is seated. Once again if you move on to Nationals your car must be fully compliant with the Formula Drift ProAm Rulebook.

Q: Does my Battery need to be relocated to the Trunk, or inside the car?
A: No. But for tandem we do require a cut off switch that will shut the car down.

Q: Can I pick my own number?
A: No, we will not be taking number requests. Participants will receive 1 free set of door plates. Additional Door plates will be $10.00 a set.

Q: Are there ride alongs?
A: There are NO ride alongs.

VegasProAm round three went underway on July 24th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As day turned night, VegasDrift hosted another smoke session where drivers went head to head for points. Without a doubt, all competitors pushed it to the limit!

Congratulations to the VegasProAm Round 3 winners!!!

1. A. Bakchis – #28
2. B. Wicknick – #38
3. J. Guild – #32

Top 8 for VegasProAm rd 3

1. D. George – #34 – 92.6
2. J. Guild – #32 – 87.8
3. A. Bakchis – #28 – 86.3
4. B. Wicknick – #38 – 84.1
5. B. Patterson – #5 – 82.3
6. T. Cisneros – #24 – 82.3
7. G. Kilada – #8 – 71.7
8. S. Coward – #44 – 70.1

Local drifter Danny George qualified #1.

VegasProAm points leader, “Odi” Bakchis leads while local drifter Josh “The Slide’n Banana,” gives chase.

(Pictured above)FormulaDrift judge Ernie Fixmer gives instruction to get optimal points for qualification.

VegasProAm co-commentator and notorious forum member, Chris Finch.

Tommy Suell and Mike Bolanos…VegasProAm judges, FD licensed drivers and two of VegasDrift’s triple O.G.s

Dstroyr’s Jon Chase had his summer line on display. Visit his online shop at www.dstroyr.com and cop some threads or go to hell!

Jon awards some DSTROYR shirts to the podium winners.

World famous professional drift photographer and VegasProAm supporter, Larry Chen, shoots the track! Seriously, whatever you do make sure to go his site www.driftfotos.com to see the rest of the Round 3 pics.

Victor from Emergency Hookers Towing is a long time supporter of VegasDrift. Look out for his other towing company “Camel Towing.”

DJ Info kept the bass pumping and laid down a crowd pleasing set. Visit his site at www.djinfo411.com!

Nick Dizon rock’n a Keep Drifting Fun shirt.

Mando and JC take a break in the staff booth from the 105+ temps!! Its was a scorcher!

Tommy Suell, Ernie Fixmer and Larry Chen went flying right before event to find empty pools to skateboard in.

Hobo Herron WANTS YOU…..to visit his site – www.keepdriftingfun.com –

We would like to personally thank our supporters: Sparco, CP Pistons, Driftfotos, Wrecked Magazine, Dstroyr Clothing, 4RP (Four Reel Productions), KeepDriftingFun.com, First Source Signs, Emergency Hookers Towing, Motor Mavens, Belle-1 Communications, Carrillo Rods, AITRacing.com, Paladin Automotive, DJ Info, and Formula Drift.

Photography
-Driftfotos – Larry Chen – www.driftfotos.com
-Wrecked Magazine – www.wreckedmagazine.com
-And a couple by track staff

Thanks for reading…See you at VegasProAm Round 4!

WD