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).
“Road Atlanta was our inaugural event 4 years ago and each year it gets bigger and bigger. From a drifting demonstration from Japanese legend, Nobuteru Taniguchi and the U.S debut of the HKS Toyota Altezza to the BP Amoco Power Lounge fans were in for a treat despite the hot weather,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT.
HKS driver Nobuteru Taniguchi wowed the crowd with his HKS Drift Altezza performing a drift demonstration to begin the Top 16 Battle. Best known for his versatile driving ability from drift to grip racing, Taniguchi is one of the most widely recognized motor sports figures in Japan. He will be performing drifting demonstrations at the remainder of the Formula DRIFT events this season.
The gloves came off for “Fight Night” as Chris Forsberg and his Forsberg Racing / Maxxis Tires Nissan 350Z took home the victory, with his consistent and exciting driving throughout the weekend. Forsberg now leads the pack in points for the Tires.com Triple Crown competition and jumps up to second place in the overall championship standings. Newcomer to Formula DRIFT, Darren McNamara, coming all the way from Ireland, surprised the crowd with his Falken Tires / MCN Sport Toyota Corolla SR86, taking a close 2nd place finish, while Tanner Foust took home 3rd place, with his AEM / Memphis Car Audio Nissan 350Z and the overall lead for the race for the Formula DRIFT Castrol SYNTEC Power Cup.