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).
Saturday December 16th was the D1GP Championship. The last big event of the 06 season. A serious rain downpour for most of the day seemed as if it would put a damper on things. However after the warm up practice prior to qualifying, it was clear that all drivers were not letting up even after the slick conditions. JR jumped out on the track and started to do his thing. He was the only driver smoking tires in the rain, which shows his skill and aggressiveness with a no stopping attitude. The fans loved it, and knew that they where in for a treat!
JR was the only American to qualify for the final round scoring a 99.8 in qualifying. His qualifying score put him against the first place qualifier "Tsuyoshi Tezuka" in the Bee-R R32 Nissan Skyline. The first run JR was on his door in what turned into a double spin. The second round Vaughn was given the advantage of 6-4. The judges moved Tsuyoshi Tezuka onto the great 8 over JR due to their perspective, they thought JR hit him and caused him to spin. We caught up to JR and he said this "From my perspective it seemed he was spinning out so I hit the brakes forcing me to get a huge angle. As this happened my wheel touched him and we both completed a spin. They are good judges and I will respect their decision. I am content with our results and look forward to Sundays World Championship event!"
In the end on Saturday, JR finished out the D1GP championship as the Highest ranked US driver in the series.
On Sunday December 17th, the D1GP World All Star
Sunday was the day JR had been waiting for! This event was more important to him than Saturday due to the fact that this was the event he won last December. The only thing different about this year is the fact that this event was filled up with the WORLDS BEST Drifters. To put it into perspective, there were drivers from New Zealand, England, Ireland, Japan, and Malaysia. It was sure to be a great competition as the driver skill represented by each country was top notch. JR was looking great during practice and even better in qualifying. JR qualified 1st with a score of 100 points, which got him ready to take on the competition. The fans were in full support of JR and that helped motivate him even more than he already was. JR said, "After our driver introductions and the national anthem, I was so moved and motivated by the crowds cheers when my name was announced I just went out there and gave it my all scoring a 100 with the very strict point system of D1GP. This was a great accomplishment for me."
Being the first place qualifier paired JR up against T.Djan who was the 16th
qualified and was driving a Corrolla and representing Malaysia. The first pair of battles were so close they called for a one more time. During the first one more time round, JR was leading and he entered the horseshoe with great speed and angle. However the little Corrola took a very shallow line and was able to come in on the inside of JR for a pass. The second battle JR was given the advantage however because of the pass T.Djan moved on to the great 8 and JR was eliminated.
JR finished 9th overall and was once again the highest ranked American in the event. When we caught up with JR he was overwhelmed and said this. "I drove my heart out this weekend and I am happy with our results. Those Corrolas are very hard to judge as a driver, not to mention they are so nimble, that it makes them a very hard car to beat. T.Djan is a great driver and he took a unexpected shallow line and was able to squeeze by me. There is no doubt that he deserved the win. We did not win this event again but we are leaving here with the First Place Qualifier and continuing to have the title of being the highest ranked American Drifter in the WORLD! That right there makes me very Happy! I could not have done this with out the support of The Falken Tire Crew and all the fans….
To contribute to a discussion about Vaughn Gittin Jr's 2006 Ranking click here