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 new Formula Drift website will give fans, sponsors, and media more access to information about the series, specific events, in-depth driver profiles, track technical information, integrated event series results, new Team Drift series information, multimedia downloads and much more.
Jim Liaw, president & co-founder of Formula Drift, commented, “The new website is more interactive and will provide the user an easy and friendly experience while browsing the website. Both the additions of the media portion and Podcast to the website will add a very important dynamic from the previous version.”
Media and designated users will now have direct access to download Formula Drift information, high-resolution images, forms, logos, and event results. This will allow for the media and sponsors to find and easily access important document and files.
Podcasts, provided by CK Media, will allow fans and users to view streaming videos via XML directly on the Formula Drift website and download them straight to any video iPod.
“Drifting is growing at a dramatic pace and the new logo symbolizes our company’s dedication to the sport,” Liaw stated.
Along with the new website and to kick-off the new season, a new Formula Drift logo has been introduced. The new logo prominently displays the word, “drift” to represent the sport of which the series is based. The continued emphasis on the “D” communicates to those that refer to the series as “Formula D”. This new logo is more legible and has more versatility for the brand. The overall design more accurately represents the company leading the North American industry in drifting.