The Formula Drift Championship Explained
Entering its second season, Formula Drift Championship, produced and owned by Irvine, Calif.-based Formula Drift, Inc., continues to expand into new markets as the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional drifting championship series (sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing). This high-skilled, high-powered motor sport where drivers intentionally maneuver their cars into well executed, controlled sideways slides at high speeds through a marked course, has more than 30 professional drivers competing in all six competitions this year. A well established sport in Japan for more than a decade, Formula Drift, Inc. and its sister company Slipstream Global Marketing, Inc. had the vision and were instrumental in bringing the first official competition to the United States in 2003 at Irwindale Speedway. The unanticipated fan interest led to the rapid formation of the first ever, sanctioned and recognized drifting circuit, Formula Drift, which had its roots firmly grounded in Southern California, a hotbed for incoming Japanese-influence automotive trends. An important part of the program involves community outreach. Drivers and Formula D serve as the ambassador for the sport of drifting bringing exhibitions to traditional or mainstream motor sports events across the country which have included: Bridgestone Monterey Grand Prix/Champ Car Race, USAC, NASCAR Busch North & Featherlite Southwest and the SPEED World Challenge, among others.
In addition another 100-200 local team drivers will join in local markets to test their skills and techniques with the pros. Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Drifting is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.
Drivers and Formula Drift also serves as ambassadors for the sport of drifting bringing exhibitions to traditional or mainstream motor sports events across the country which have included: Bridgestone Monterey Grand Prix/Champ Car Race, USAC, NASCAR Busch North & Featherlite Southwest and the SPEED World Challenge, among others.
More Formula Drift Fast Facts
Formula D has the largest number of tire manufactures involved that any other motorsport series in the world. First drifting championship to be featured in a major video game with title sponsor EA Games First drifting championships to be sponsored by non-endemic companies including EA Games and Circuit City First drifting championship to have works teams (auto maker supported).
Torrance, CA - The United States Drifting Association is pleased to announce their partnership with Formula Drift, Inc. in the creation of the Formula Drift Pro-Am Series. The Formula Drift Pro-Am Series is the first and only official amateur drifting championship in the United States tied to a professional series. This partnership will help in furthering the progression of the sport of drifting on all skill levels here in the United States.
The Formula Drift Pro-Am Series was created to provide amateur drivers with a recognized national ranking series. The main goal of the Series is to create a competition format that amateurs can afford to attend and still perform competitively as they progress in skill level through the sport. Another goal of the series is to help prepare drivers for the professional level by creating a series that requires some of the similar rigors (travel, logistics, and competition format) of the Formula Drift Pro Championship. The Formula Drift Pro-Am Series will also award the top drivers competition licenses for the 2007 season of the Formula Drift Pro Championship.
“This is the solidarity and uniformity the sport needs. It is programs like this that will make the foundation of drifting stronger. Formula Drift is pleased to be an integral part of the U.S. Drift Association and all its affiliated associations.” Stated Jim Liaw, Co-Founder, Managing Director of Formula Drift, Inc.
The Formula Drift Pro-Am Series has been created to promote the amateur level of drifting in the United States and is the product of the newly created U.S. Drifting Association (USDA). The U.S. Drifting Association consists of members from the top drifting organizations across the country including Drift Association, U.S. Drift, Just Drift, Daily Drifter, SEDA, and Club FR. For more information on the U.S. Drifting Association, their sponsors and affiliates, please visit them online at: proamdrift.com driftday.com usdrift.com dailydrifter.com justdrift.com clubfr.net southeastdrift.com
**Negotiations with additional organizations are currently being conducted. This is not the final list of affiliates.
Entering its third season, Formula Drift Championship, produced by Formula Drift, Inc., continues to expand into new markets as the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional drifting championship series. This high-skilled, high-powered motor sport where drivers intentionally maneuver their cars into well-executed, controlled sideways slides at high speeds through a marked course, has more than 40 professional drivers competing in all seven competitions this year.
Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Drifting is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross. Drivers and Formula Drift also serve as ambassadors for the sport of drifting bringing exhibitions to traditional or mainstream motor sports events across the country which have included: multiple Champ Car World Series races, American Le Mans, USAC, NASCAR Busch North & Featherlite Southwest and the SPEED World Challenge, among others.