LINGENFELTER PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING DRIVER DIRK STRATTON

BRIGHTON, Mich. October 11, 2016; Dirk Stratton of Stratton Racing was named the Formula DRIFT Pro 2 class "Rookie of the Year" after a fourth-place finish in the overall 2016 season point standings. The newcomer earned 191.00 points driving a 2009 C6 Corvette powered by a Lingenfelter Performance Engineering LS7 V8 engine.

Stratton drives the only Corvette competing in the Formula DRIFT classes and is the only competitor using a Lingenfelter power plant, which he says contributed to his outstanding season results. The rookie competitor also relied on Lingefelter's expert engineering team to lend the technical support that helped his vehicle reach optimal performance during each competition.

The racer came to know and rely on Lingenfelter's excellence in high performance engines through his parent's auto dealership Stratton Chevrolet in Beloit, Ohio. The business is an authorized dealer of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering parts and packages, and has been a long-time advocate of the brand.

"With the help of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, our first season of competing in Formula DRIFT Pro 2 has really exceeded our expectations," said Stratton. "We look forward to building on a great rookie-year experience and coming back next year ready to compete at an even higher level."

During the season Stratton competed in all four Formula DRIFT Pro 2 events with a season-best finish of third in Phoenix on October 1. He was the only rookie to finish inside the top five in points this year. The second closest finishing rookie in points was four positions behind in eighth place. This year's Formula DRIFT Pro 2 rookie class featured 10 drivers, including 2015 Golden Gate Drift Champion Matt Madrigali and 2015 Top Drift Champion Trent Beechum.

The 2016 Formula DRIFT Pro 2 season started off at Road Atlanta. Stratton qualified in the top 16, but did not advance out of round one. The team rebounded at the next round at Orlando Speed World, finishing in the top eight.

In the third round at Texas Motor Speedway, Stratton defeated Donovan Brockway and Randall Waters to advance to the final four. He ultimately finished fourth in a stellar outing in the second to last event of the year.

The final round at Wild Horse Motorsport Park in Phoenix proved to be Stratton's best round. He defeated Aaron Day, Randall Water and Marc Landerville to take home a podium finish of third. Stratton showed constant improvement throughout the season, which was capped off with his Rookie of the Year award.

Watch for Stratton's return to the Formula DRIFT Pro 2 circuit in 2017 as he competes for the title of Pro Championship Rookie of the Year.

About Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Driven by our racing heritage, at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering our mission is to deliver premier quality performance parts, vehicles, and service. We offer industry leading in-house performance engineered products - committed to a winning customer experience.

Contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, 7819 Lochlin Drive, Brighton, MI 48116-8329, Phone: 248-486-5342, or visit: www.lingenfelter.com.