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).
The specially built, custom 993 GT2 Porsche, designed and manufactured by JIC USA/CROSS North America, made its official debut in the Hankook Tire exhibit at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show October 31, 2006....
Hankook Tire used the big stage at the annual SEMA tradeshow to announce its sponsorship of the first U.S. Drifting Porsche. The specially built, custom 993 GT2 Porsche, designed and manufactured by JIC USA/CROSS North America, made its official debut in the Hankook Tire exhibit at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show October 31, 2006.
"This is the world's first Porsche to be purpose-built for drifting," said Bill Bainbridge, Marketing Director, Hankook Tire America Corp. "The sport of drifting is clearly one of the fastest growing forms of motorsports in the U.S. today. With cars sliding sideways at high speed through a marked course, always on the edge, it's spectacular to watch. We think the Porsche equipped with Hankook Ventus ultra-high performance tires will deliver a whole new dimension of excitement and performance."
The Hankook Tires/JIC Magic Porsche's awesome performance comes from a 3.8-liter, 6-cylinder fully built race engine rated at 600+ hp and equipped with twin IHI turbos, six individual throttle bodies and custom exhaust and manifolds by JIC. It is specially designed with a 993 GT EVO body.
Maximum handling capabilities are provided by Drift-spec JIC /CROSS competition race coil-over shocks, and custom JIC/CROSS suspension arms and rods. Optimum road-holding and grip is courtesy of Hankook Z212 Ventus Drift tires. Inside, a GT2 factory roll cage surrounds a COBRA Imola Racing seat and COBRA Suzuka Racing seat, provided by Sube Sports, and a selection of custom gauges. The entire package is wrapped in a custom Pearl White paint by DTM Autobody and highlighted with special Hankook Tire graphics by 5th Dimension Sign Works.
The Hankook Tires/JIC Magic Porsche drift team will compete in the 2007 Need for Speed: Formula Drift Series, which is scheduled to begin the first week in April 2007 at Long Beach, Calif. The Hankook Tires/JIC Magic Porsche may compete or participate in demonstration events in other series as well, though its primary focus will be Formula Drift. Drivers include Kenji Yamanaka of Yokohama, Japan and Tyler McQuarrie of California.
"We are pleased to be sponsoring this remarkable drift team," said Bainbridge. "The collaborative decision with JIC USA to enter the first Porsche in Formula Drift will bring another new element to the sport. This car will be unique and quite competitive."
To contribute to a discussion about the Hankook Tire America Corporation Debuts Drifting Porsche click here