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).
Hübinette, the defending Formula Drift Champion and famed stunt driver piloted his Team Mopar/NuFormz Dodge Charger SRT8 securely into the eighth qualifying position to start the event. In the first round of eliminations, Hübinette was paired against and defeated Bill Sherman, granting him a position in the quarterfinals, where he beat out Chris Forsberg. In an exciting semi-final bout, Hübinette faced 2005 Formula Drift titleholder, Rhys Millen, who he also overcame, earning him a spot in the Formula Drift finals against Tanner Foust.
The highly anticipated final against Hübinette and Foust was intense. Both drivers pushed the envelope as they battled around the tricky high-speed course. Foust drove off the course on the first run and left a considerable gap on the second run allowing Hübinette, Mopar and BFGoodrich Tires to take the much-needed victory. Hübinette’s teammate Chris Cook (Mopar/BFGoodrich Tires) accomplished his goal of qualifying for an event by earning the 15th spot in the order but he was unfortunately eliminated in the first round.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Hübinette. “The track was very challenging but the power of the Mopar Dodge Charger ST8 and the grip of the BFGoodrich g-ForceKDW tires were the perfect combination for this type of track. I’m excited that I made it to the podium again and that Chris made the field. We had a few struggles at the last event but were making progress now which is great.”
BFGoodrich Tires Used By Mopar and Team Signal
BFGoodrich Tires g-Force T/A® KDW: a street-legal tire chosen specifically by Team Mopar/NuFormz and Team Signal for use on the Mopar Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Viper SRT10 and Nissan R34 Skyline for its tremendous cornering force at high speeds, strength and exceptional traction on both wet and dry surfaces.
Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich® Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally (Dakar and WRC) and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.