Newport Coast, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2011) — Samuel Hübinette enjoyed a strong finish to the 2011 Formula DRIFT (FD) season for himself and his Samuel Hübinette Racing (SHR) squad. The two-time FD champ powered to his first pole of the season and a spot in the Top 16 in the season-ending event at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 8, while his young SHR driver Dean Kearney qualified an impressive 14th and also advanced to the Top 16 round.
Hübinette kicked off the week’s action with a strong practice session on Thursday, Oct. 6 in his Dodge Motorsports SHR Dodge Challenger, as did Kearney in his V-Leds SHR Dodge Viper SRT10. Later that night, Hübinette hosted an SHR “Sponsor Night” event to thank the individuals and companies that supported his team throughout the 2011 campaign. After a welcome reception, Hübinette wowed attendees with thrill rides on the Irwindale course in his Dodge Drift Cab, a Dodge Charger SRT8 powered by a Mopar HEMI and custom-built to accommodate three passengers — and a “Crazy Swede” behind the wheel!
Fun and games were over the next day and it was time for Hübinette to go to work — which he did with an exclamation point. The Swedish native and U.S. citizen claimed his first No. 1 position of the year with a top score of 92.7, which he earned on a flawless second and final qualifying run in his Dodge, tuned by crew chief Brad Manka and prepped by the SHR team.
In Saturday eliminations Hübinette made quick work of No. 32 qualifier Pat Mordant, while “Karnage” Kearney kept his Viper clean in an opening round win over Ryan Kado. The two SHR stars then took part in a fan autograph session during the half-time break, with fans packing the Dodge Motorsports/V-Leds pit area.
After the break, Hübinette battled it out with Chris Forsberg in one of the hardest-fought drift matches of the weekend. The two former FD champs were evenly matched on their first two tandem runs, prompting the FD judges to call for a “One Time More.” Hübinette led first on the extra tandem laps, hitting each clipping point perfectly and putting his Dodge Challenger exactly where it needed to be.
When it came time for Hübinette to shadow Forsberg, the “Crazy Swede” had his Dodge Challenger right on the door of Forsberg’s Nissan during the tandem battle — perhaps too close. Hübinette nicked a track barrier, causing a small correction. The crowd cheered loudly for the two talented competitors, but the judges awarded the round win to Forsberg. Kearney also fell in the Top 16, losing to eventual event winner Tyler McQuarrie.
“We finished the year up very strong by qualifying No. 1,” said Hübinette. “It feels good to end the year on a strong note. Both my Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Viper were strong all weekend. Dean did a great job at this event. I had a tough, hard-fought battle with Forsberg in the Top 16. It’s always hard to come out on the losing end, but hearing the crowd cheer in appreciation after our match made me feel very proud.
“It was also so cool to have the chance to thank my sponsors and spend time with them during our special SHR sponsor night at Irwindale. I’m so grateful for all their support; I think we gave them a good show at Irwindale. We’ve learned a lot this year, we’ve battled, and I feel like this event will send the SHR team into next year on a very positive note. We have a great organization here and I am really looking forward to 2012.”
With the book closed on his 2011 FD campaign, Hübinette will change gears to compete in his final Traxxas TORC event of the year at Cycle Ranch MX in Floresville, Texas, Oct. 15–16. Hübinette has won three times in his rookie season, garnering six podium finishes in his Jenkins Brothers Racing Mopar Ram. He’s third in the PRO Light standings heading into the event and is looking to claim the runner-up spot in the championship fight (his teammate Andrew Caddell has already clinched the PRO Light title).
“I’m excited to head to Cycle Ranch and take the wheel of my Mopar Ram Truck in off-road competition,” said Hübinette. “It’s a new track, so all the drivers will have a bit of a disadvantage. We’re fighting for the runner-up position in points, and we have the inaugural $15,000 to-win Traxxas PRO Light Cup as well, so there’s quite a bit on the line. I feel like I have some good momentum heading in there. I want to end my first TORC season in the winner’s circle.”