It was perfect weather for the first stop of our 2021 Tuning 365 Car Show Tour at Formula DRIFT. All were expecting a world-class drift competition, and while nobody was left disappointed, the same could be said by the collection of modified cars and trucks at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on May 8th.
With over 100 registered competitors taking their chance to compete for an Editor's Choice award, and ultimately winning a print feature, our Tuner Battlegrounds online competition was as popular as ever.
First, Marqious Drennon received Editor’s Choice with his 1991 Acura NSX. Our contributing photographers, Lee Vermont and Antonio Logan, who were both on-site, chose Marquios for this award. So shout-out to those dudes for helping us out at the event! For the 2nd Editor’s Choice award, it went to Scott Buwalda and his 1991 Nissan Figaro - a full restoration piece with modern touches. Best Lighting presented by Type S went to Rafael Capone with his 2017 Lexus ES300h. We couldn’t see much of his lighting at the show, other than his spec list, so we’ll have to follow-up with Rafael in a video interview so he can show us. But, if it’s anything like his Hummer, we are all in for a treat!
Now something super unique, which we’re all pretty excited to mention, is the two new award categories for our Tuning 365 Car Show Tour. Driver’s Choice gives the opportunity to a Formula DRIFT driver to select their favorite registered competitor, and Larry’s Pick gives Larry Chen, a world-renowned car culture and automotive photographer, the power to select his favorite as well. At Formula DRIFT Atlanta, FD Driver Fredric Aasbo selected Tim Whiting’s 2001 Nissan Skyline GTT, and Larry Chen picked Sebastian Suaza’s 1995 Nissan 240SX.
Finally, in our Tuner Battlegrounds #TBGLIVE award category and online competition, the Popular Vote went to Johnny La and his 2020 Toyota Supra.
Congratulations to all the award winners in Atlanta! Our next Tuning 365 Car Show Tour stop is on June 19th at Formula DRIFT Englishtown in New Jersey, so register your build at tuning365.events and you too could get featured! Send us a DM or tag us in a photo on Instagram and let us know what vehicle you’re driving to the show!
EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
- Marqious Drennon (1991 Acura NSX) - Editor's Choice
- Scott Buwalda (1991 Nissan Figaro) - Editor's Choice
- Rafael Capone (2017 Lexus ES300h) - Best Lighting presented by Type S
- Tim Whiting (2001 Nissan Skyline GTT) - Driver's Choice
- Sebastian Suaza (1995 Nissan 240SX) - Larry's Pick
TUNER BATTLEGROUNDS WINNER
- Johnny La (2020 Toyota Supra)
UPCOMING TUNING365 EVENTS
- Tuning 365 @ Formula DRIFT: Englishtown (June 19) - click to register
- Tuning 365 @ Formula DRIFT: Seattle (July 31) - click to register
- Tuning 365 @ Formula DRIFT: St Louis (August 28) - click to register
- Tuning 365 @ Formula DRIFT: Long Beach (September 18) - click to register
For more information on Tuning 365, go to tuning365.events.
For more information on Formula DRIFT, go to formulad.com.
Photography by Antonio Logan (@mrlogan89)
PHOTO GALLERY