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).
Long Beach, California - After the holiday break, first on Formula Drift’s agenda is the announcement regarding their TV plans for 2007. Formula Drift announced today that the 2007 Formula Drift Championship will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN2. This deal further solidifies Formula Drift as the premiere drifting championship and shows that the leader in sports programming, ESPN, sees potential and value in Formula Drift.
Exact deal points of this monumental announcement have yet to be released, but the full TV schedule and other details will be announced prior to the start of the 2007 Championship season.
“For Formula Drift, this is prodigious! In 2007, a motor sport fan can turn on ESPN and watch NASCAR and Champ Car among a huge list of other motor sports content. Now they can also turn on ESPN2 and watch the Formula Drift Championship. For Formula Drift Rift this is a major step forward in TV coverage. We are ecstatic!” said Ryan Sage, VP of Marketing for Formula Drift.
“Drifting is one of the fastest-growing forms of motor sports in the world, and is especially popular with a younger audience,” said Frantz Cayo, Director of Motor Sports Programming for ESPN. “Along with the X Games and other cutting-edge sports on ESPN2, we feel that adding Drifting to our programming lineup is providing a great service to our viewers and we’re excited about it.”
Entering its fourth season, the Formula Drift Championship, continues to expand into new markets as the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional drifting championship series. Formula Drift is also responsible for being the first to bring professional drifting stateside. 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 50 licensed professional drivers competing in all seven competitions for the Pro Championship and selected drivers competing in the Team Drift competitions this year.
To contribute to a discussion about Formula Drift Signs ESPN as Television Broadcast Partner click here