Chris Forsberg is a three-time Formula Drift champion and has amassed the most head-to-head victories and podium finishes in Formula Drift history. Along with his friendly demeanor off-track, this driver has a knack for acquiring and retaining sponsors. For example, NOS Energy Drink has been with him since 2004! We caught up with him during the media day for the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach where he gave us a walk-around on his Nissan Z drift car. In this interview you’ll hear about some spectacular numbers when it comes to horsepower and torque, and also some keen insight on how this race car was built. Enjoy!
NOTE: For more information on Chris Forsberg, please visit: www.forsbergracing.com
By Larry Mason
Copyright © 2024 Larry Mason
A big smile from Chris Forsberg is always available to greet friends and fans at the racetrack!
Multiple long-term sponsors are represented well by Forsberg both on and off the track. Comfortable in his surroundings in Long Beach, his shop is located just down the freeway in Costa Mesa.
Forsberg has been racing with Nissan and NOS Energy Drink for over 20 years. His immaculately prepared Nissan Z is always a crowd favorite.
A twin-turbo V6 has been modified from it’s original GT-R roots to make well over 1,000 hp!
In this under-the-hood photo, you can see the stock unibody chassis and the Garret turbochargers that exhaust straight up.
Forsberg’s daily driver (here) is a Nissan Z. His race car starts from a complete off-the-showroom Z and gets modified by Forsberg and his crew to end up with an incredibly powerful and capable drift car.
In this three-quarter rear shot, you can see the exhaust cut-outs in the hood and the carbon fiber body work.
With the intercooler taking up space at the front of the engine compartment, the regular engine radiator and electric fans get moved to the trunk area of Forsberg’s Z.
A simple clean design of Forsberg’s ‘office’ is fairly old-school with the exception of the carbon fiber dash and AEM engine management computer. A NASCAR derived 4-speed gearbox is a traditional H-pattern format.
Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason (unless otherwise noted)