Sherman wins at Pittsburgh NOPI Drift Event

SHERMAN WINS PITTSBURGH NOPI DRIFT EVENT AND EXTENDS LEAD IN CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS RACE
 
Pittsburgh, PA – July 29 –Enjuku Racing continued to show its dominance as the team traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to compete in the latest round of NOPI Drift competition. Bill Sherman’s #22 Enjukuracing.com/Cooper Tires/Dual Audio Nissan 240sx scored a 91.5 to capture the top spot in qualifying. Sherman would go on to have flawless runs and win the overall event.
 
The latest round of NOPI competition would take place in the shadow of the massive Heinz Field in downtown Pittsburgh, home to the Steelers football team. The event would attract thousands of fans from the east coast to watch drifters from all across the country compete for thousands in prize money. The weekend was the busiest for Team Enjuku, as they participated in several media events. The team displayed Bill Sherman’s #22 Enjukuracing.com/Cooper Tires/Dual Audio Nissan car at a drift-themed reception and party at a local night spot.

Sherman was also part of a special SPEED TV drift promo. He drifted his Nissan 240sx within a couple of feet of the camera crew, and with some editing magic the Bikini clad host of NOPI drift would step out of the car and address the camera. Sherman would also be part of many TV interviews due to his lead in the Championship points and overall event win.

The Orlando, FL based Enjukuracing.com drift team came to Pittsburgh with high hopes and two cars ready to do battle with the east coast drifters. The weekend would be the best and worst of times, as the team would retire one car in the first practice session and take the other to the overall win. On the first day of practice, both Team Enjuku cars looked poised for great things as both drivers would hit their marks and have great runs. Robby Unser in the #15 Enjukuracing.com/Cooper Tires/Dual Audio Nissan 240sx entry was looking smooth and dialed in when he began to have some low oil pressure problems. The team checked the oil system trackside without determining the problem. On the next run Unser’s engine would seize, thus ending his race weekend.
 
“We are really disappointed that we didn’t get to compete this weekend,� said Unser. “The engine was making great power at the Seattle Formula D event, but it has been in the car for some time. We are in the middle of doing some changes in our engine program, which has increased our power but has pushed this engine to its limits,� Unser explained. “Our spare engine for this car is being rebuilt now and will be ready for Sonoma so we didn’t have it on the truck. We just have to work harder to have both engines for the Sonoma event.�
 
Bill Sherman, driver of the #22 Enjukuracing.com/Cooper Tires/Dual Audio entry, would have a much better weekend after qualifying in the top spot. Sherman had a series of clean qualifying runs, scoring a 91.5 from the judges.

“For qualifying we were pretty dialed in,� said Sherman. “We just had to see what tire size and air pressure settings worked best for the car. The track was set up well and I just went out there and did my thing,� said the excited Sherman. “It was great to qualify in the top position.�
 
Sherman was in top form going into the first rounds, as he knocked off James Robinson with ease and moved on to the top eight. Sherman would then face John Wagner in the top eight and show the dominant power of the race team’s new engine program as he pulled away at the start and was never challenged. Sherman would then follow Wagner and provide the crowd with great entertainment as he showed his car control skills, staying inches off his Wagner’s rear fender. Sherman would face James Evans in the final four and run flawless lines on his way to another win. The final battle would be against the local favorite driver, Brian Wilkerson, who had upset NOPI seeded drivers on his way to the final round of competition. The first round would see Wilkerson keep pace with Sherman as both drivers would have clean runs and provide a great show for the fans. It would end in a tie as they went to the next run. Round two would have Sherman follow Wilkerson in another great battle at the start. Sherman would pressure his opponent, drifting within inches of his door. He showed superior driving skills, causing Smith to miss his clipping point and knock over a cone.
 
“For the event we had some good battles,� said Sherman. “We had the car really dialed in. I felt very comfortable in the car and I was on during the competition. It was a great day.� Sherman continued. “We have increased our points lead in the Championship because Blake (Fuller) had a bad day,� he said. “We have to think about the big picture now and keep finishing on the podium. The team did a great job this weekend and I want to thank Enjukuracing.com, Dual Audio, and Cooper Tires for all their help getting us here.�
 
Sherman’s extreme angle and precision driving combined with flawless runs would provide the advantage for Sherman to win his second overall event in NOPI competition. This win and the misfortune of his closest competitor will give Sherman a 96 point advantage in the Championship points race going into the final two rounds of NOPI drift competition.
 
The Enjukuracing.com drift team will compete at the next round of Formula D events on August 11th, at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California with drivers Robby Unser and Bill Sherman.

About Enjuku Racing:
EnjukuRacing.com is an aftermarket parts company specializing in Nissan, Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi vehicles, offering performance parts and high quality fabrication for all popular Japanese RWD and AWD vehicles. With an emphasis on professionalism, efficiency, implementation of high-tech products and incredible results, Enjuku Racing uses its racing experience to make them one of North America’s most advanced tuners. For further information, visit the company’s website, www.enjukuracing.com, or contact the shop directly at 407-673-1320 or questions@enjukuracing.com.
 
Enjuku Racing would like to thank their 2007 sponsors:
Cooper Tires, Dual Audio, SPEC Clutches, C&R Racing, AEM, BMRS, Origin Body Kits, Peak Boost, CP Pistons, Sparco, Torco Oils, The Driveshaft Shop, Stance US, Brian Crower, Peak Performance, Meguiar’s, RS Enthalpy, RaceKeeper, Kaaz Differentials, Formotion Products, Peterson Fluid Systems, SpeedGlass, AvComm, Rubbn’Repair,BrailleAuto, and MotorCine Media

Enjuku Racing | 407-673-1320 | 6100 Hanging Moss Rd. Orlando, FL 32807 | questions@enjukuracing.com
Photo credits go to our friends at: MotorCine Media
 
For more information, visit enjukuracing.com
or contact Ray Ferreira at 813.991.9502 press@enjukuracing.com