Conrad goes over his new sponsors, new car, and new problems for 2013.

Here’s a video by Lab17 showing Conrad’s weekend from qualifying first to his Top 16 battle with Chris Forsberg.

For Immediate Release


April 15, 2011


Long Beach, Calif. - In only its second season of Formula DRIFT competition, CGR was able to qualify number one in their 2010 Camaro SS at the first Formula DRIFT event this past weekend in Long Beach, Calif. “We have made so many improvements during the off season, it is hard to compare this car to our platform last season” says Conrad Grunewald, driver and owner of CGR. Tipping the scales at only 2871 pounds, 1000 pounds lighter than a stock Camaro, and boasting 734hp out of their GM Performance Parts LS7, Grunewald’s Camaro SS aptly represents a high performance vehicle.


Grunewald breezed through the first round of competition, defeating 2008 winner of Formula DRIFT Las Vegas Toshiki Yoshioka. “We knew our speed was much higher through the course than the Retaks 240SX, so the game plan was to pull away when leading and get the timing right to stay close when following.” The second round of competition pitted Grunewald against the 2009 Formula DRIFT champion, Chris Forsberg, who ultimately won the round. “I knew this was going to be a tough battle,” acknowledged Grunewald. “ Chris is a very good driver and having a smaller car on the Long Beach course is a huge advantage.”


Overall, CGR placed sixth. “This is a great place to be after round 1” says Grunewald. “Long Beach is not a track that suits our car as well as the other tracks coming up on the schedule, so we are happy to be where we are overall and are looking forward to Atlanta next month.”


CGR has also picked up another driver for the team this season. Luke Lonberger, Conrad’s former crew chief, is piloting the Blu808 C6 Corvette in Formula DRIFT competition. Luke showed great promise in his first event but was plagued by a mechanical gremlin just before qualifying. Grunewald pointed out that new cars often have issues that need to be sorted out, but he has great confidence in what Lonberger and his Corvette will bring to the team throughout the 2011 season.


The team is now gearing up for Formula DRIFT Round 2 at Road Atlanta in the Hankook/GMPP/Top 1 Oil Chevrolet Camaro in Braselton, GA on May 6th and 7th.

Mark Takahashi from Inside Line came out to Long Beach on Friday and got a ride-along in the Camaro. Check out his article here: insideline.com.

For Immediate Release

April 8, 2011

Long Beach, CA – On a day filled with surprises and upsets, Hankook Camaro driver Conrad Grunewald managed to find himself in the first qualifying position for tomorrow’s competition.  It’s quite a bit different from Long Beach last year, where Grunewald qualified – and finished – 18th his first time competing in the freshly built car. 2010 was a building year, so to speak, and Grunewald paid close attention to the car’s deficiencies. Changes for 2011 include most notably a new LS7 from GM Performance Parts, but also an OS Giken LSD and BC Suspension coilovers.





“The car performed very well today,” Grunewald said. “The whole package has been improved this year and the hard work is starting to show.”

Hard work indeed. Grunewald spent most of the off season driving an hour each way to work on the Camaro at Blu808 in Campbell, CA, where most of the changes to the car were made.

Hankook’s role can’t be overstated either. Without their support, Grunewald might not be where he is today. And as Hankook’s sole remaining driver from last season, Grunewald has proven his value to the company.