Where There’s Smoke: 600-horsepower Scion FR-S to Compete in Formula Drift
The launch of the FR-S shifted into high gear in Detroit today when Scion unveiled the Scion Racing/GReddy Performance FR-S to compete in Formula Drift this season. The highly modified racer, to be piloted by Scion veteran Ken Gushi, boasts some 600 horsepower and more than 500 lb.-ft. of torque yet weighs 300 pounds less than the featherweight stock sports car.
“At Scion, we can’t stand to leave any car stock, especially the FR-S,” said Scion Vice President Jack Hollis during a press conference at the North American International Auto Show. “From ourstart, Scion has been a big part of the racing world, from drag racing and road racing to Time Attack. But on the race trackwe probably have the most fun drifting sideways with smoke pouring off our tires.”
It’s fitting that Gushi is grabbing the reigns of Scion’s first drift-optimized FR-S. His father taught the then-14-year-old native of Japan how to drive, and drift, in a Toyota AE86—a precursor to the FR-S. Gushi progressed quickly in the sport, becoming the youngest competitor in both the D1 Grand Prix in Japan and Formula Drift in America. In 2011, Gushi competed in Formula Drift in the RS-R Scion Racing tC.“This car looks absolutely phenomenal,” said Hollis. “Doesn’t it look fast just parked here on this stage? Wait until you see what happens when we let it loose on the track.”
Hollis said that in addition to drifting, Scion plans to promote its new sports car in other motorsports venues, including Time Attack.
By Dan Miller