Formula DRIFT driver Stephan Verdier Announces New Sponsoship by Royal Purple Joining the Stark Motor Racing Team

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Stephan Verdier Racing Announces New Sponsors for the 2010 Formula D Season

Stephan Verdier Racing is pleased to announce our new and returning sponsors for the 2010 Formula D Seasons, a sneak preview at our partnership with the upcoming movie Iron Man 2, our new partner Royal Purple and plans for more power!

For the first two rounds of the Formula D Season we will have our new partnership agreement with Iron Man 2. One team was selected in each of the five different motorsports disciplines to represent the Stark Racing Team from the upcoming movie Iron Man 2 and we were selected for the drifting aspect of those disciplines. The car will sport a new livery for the first two rounds of the Formula D series with the Iron Man 2/ Royal Purple colors. Upon completion of the first two rounds the livery will be changed for the remainder of the year.

We have also defined an agreement with our new sponsor Royal Purple for the entire 2010 Formula Drift season. According to Stephan Verdier, “This coupled with agreements with Iron Man 2 is definitely a big boost to our Formula D racing program in our quest of the 2010 championship.”

Crawford Performance has also agreed to step up there involvement in the Formula D racing program by building a brand new engine/power package and supplying a sequential gear box for the season. “There will be quite a bit more power on tap for Stephan this year to keep the edge on the competition in his race for the 2010 Championship and we wish him the best for the upcoming season!”, says Quirt Crawford, President of Crawford Performance.

In conjunction with the returning sponsors, Cooper tire, Clutch Masters, Subaru, Enkei, I-speed, Turbo by Garrett, RMR, Stance, Sparco, Seibon, Apr, Gti we now know we have an optimal chance at the championship this year we can not wait for round 1 at Long Beach to get started!

www.stephanverdier.com

www.royalpurple.com
www.starkmotorracing.com

Import Tuner Interview with 2009 Miss FD, Miki Taka

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Import Tuner – May, 2010
Words and Photography By Carter Jung

With another season of Formula D almost upon us, what better way to kick off a new year of drift than to discuss the subject with a fine female? But who, might you ask? What girl could hold a decent conversation about the best tandem battle of ’09, judging criteria, their favorite drifter, let alone cars in general? Well, how about last year’s Miss Formula D, Miki Taka.

Genuinely JDM as Gundam, pixilated pr0n or a S15 Silvia, this Nagoya, Japan born bundle of kawaii can talk drift like one of the boys. And why wouldn’t she? She played host to seven rounds of FD across the nation and she’s more bi than a fixie. That’s right, not only is Miki into cars like the rest of the boys, she digs girls. Us? We’re just diggin’ her.

The last time you were in 2NR, we had you as a guest in Formula D Diaries where you talked about all the lessons learned from each round-which had the most impact?
The greatest lesson I would take from the entire season was to just have fun, be myself, and make the most of every moment and opportunity.

Any embarrassing moments you’d like to share?
Right before the awards ceremony for Round 2 in Atlanta, I was caught off-guard and rushed to the stage where I totally wiped out in front of a huge crowd! I got up afterwards and bowed. [laughs]

The bow was a nice touch. [laughter] What was your favorite round of FD?
That’s a hard one. There were aspects of every show that I really enjoyed. If I have to choose only one it would be Vegas . . . but what happens there stays there, right? [laughter] Seriously though, I enjoyed Vegas because it was where I really had a chance to hang out with the FD staff and drivers. I had been acquainted with most of them before, but it was there where I really got to know them. And being a Blackjack fan, the tournament was fun.

Speed, line, angle and overall impression are the judging criteria for drift. Which do you think is the most important?
I’d have to say that overall impression would be my choice as the most important. Sometimes it’s the ‘ooh’ impression left on the judges that can differentiate a good run from an awesome one.

If there was one, which two drivers would win the ‘Miss FD Best Battle of 2009’ award?
There were a lot of great ones but my favorite was between Ryan Tuerck and Katsuhiro Ueo in Las Vegas. They literally went toe-to-toe when Tuerck’s rear tire hit Ueo’s front tire, causing Tuerck to go airborne creating the infamous ‘bunny hop’. You can see the video on my website or on Formula D’s YouTube channel.

Who would win the ‘Miss FD Crash of 2009′ award?
Hmm . . . I don’t know that anyone would want to win for crashing, so I’ll go with Vaughn Gittin, Jr. for getting close as hell without crashing. I remember at Evergreen Speedway for Round 5, Vaughn just barely grazed his rear bumper against the wall of the track. For him to have touched the wall so lightly with the back of his car, without completely jacking it up, really impressed me!

Your favorite competition car?
My fave body style is the Nissan 350Z. Tyler McQuarrie, Robbie Nishida and Chris Forsberg all compete in one and Chris’ 350Z helped him win the 2009 champion, so I’d have to go with the Z33.

Did you partake in any ride-alongs?
Absolutely! There was no way I could let this season go by and pass up a ride-along.

Who was it with?
My first ride-along was with Ross Petty at Las Vegas. What made it especially cool was Ross had just installed the underbody lights on his car and the ride-along was at night. The second was at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA, with Justin Pawlak. The film crew got footage of that one, which was funny, because you could see how surprised I was when we took off! Drifting around the track is like a rollercoaster ride-a total adrenaline rush!

For more great images and the rest of the interview visit IMPORT TUNER

Formula DRIFT 2-time Champion Tanner Foust to Compete in Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

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HORSEPOWER DRIVEN BY STAR POWER 2010 TOYOTA PRO/CELEBRITY RACE DRIVERS ANNOUNCED

2009 Celebrity Winner Keanu Reeves Returns to Compete with the Pros;
Other Stars Behind the Wheel include Adrien Brody, Tony Hawk, Christian Slater, Jesse McCartney and Adam Carolla.

Tanner Foust will compete in Toyota Pro / Celebrity Race

LONG BEACH, Calif. (March 11, 2010) – An eclectic group of Hollywood’s stars from film, television, music and sports will put their freshly honed racing skills to the test all in the name of charity on Saturday, April 17 in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, part of the 36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The field of drivers will compete in identically-prepared race-ready Scion tCs in what has become the world’s longest-running, most prestigious celebrity racing event.

The historic, 10-lap race for charity on a 1.97-mile street circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach in Southern California is one of six featured events during race weekend. This year’s anticipated field of 18 drivers includes the following diverse entertainment and media personalities:

” Adam Carolla Radio and television host, comedian, and actor best known for programs like “Crank Yankers” and Comedy Central’s “The Man Show” alongside Jimmy Kimmel. He also was a former contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”

” Adrien Brody Academy Award winning actor in 2002 for his role in Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist.” Other on-screen credits include, “King Kong,” “The Village,” “The Jacket,” “The Brothers Bloom,” “Darjeeling Limited,” and “Summer of Sam.”

” Anthony Anderson Television and film actor currently starring in the television drama series “Law & Order” as Det. Kevin Bernard. Film credits include “Transformers,” “Hustle & Flow,” “The Departed,” “Me, Myself & Irene,” and “Romeo Must Die.”

” Brian Austin Green Film and television actor best known for his roles on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Beverly Hills 90210” as David Silver and “Freddie.”

” Christian Slater Film and television actor currently starring on ABC’s new crime drama “The Forgotten” and was the lead role on NBC’s “My Own Worst Enemy.” On-screen credits include “Windtalkers,” “3000 Miles to Graceland,” and “Robin Hood.”

” Jesse McCartney Recording artist best known for hits including “Beautiful Soul,” and “Leavin’.” Recipient of the ASCAR Pop Music Award for Song of the Year (2008).

” Keanu Reeves Actor whose films include “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “The Matrix, I, II & III” “The Replacements,” “Speed,” “Walk in the Clouds,” “My Own Private Idaho,” “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

” Patrick Warburton Film and television actor currently starring in the hit CBS comedy “Rules of Engagement”. Also most recognized from the hit NBC comedy “Seinfeld” as “Puddy” and the ABC hit comedy “Less than Perfect.” Film credits include “Bee Movie,” “Underdog,” “Scream 3,” and “Men in Black 2.”

” Tika Sumpter Television and on-screen actress best known for her role as Layla Williamson on “One Life to Live.” Tika just completed filming her co-starring role in “Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming” due out this year.

” Tony Hawk Iconic pro skateboarder who landed the first-ever 900 at the 1999 X-Games. He is also president of Tony Hawk Inc., and regularly appears on television and films. Also hosts a weekly show on Sirius XM satellite radio network.

” Zachary Levi Film and television actor best known for his roles in the action-comedy television series “Chuck” as Chuck Bartowski and ABC’s comedy series “Less than Perfect.” On-screen credits include “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” and “Stuntmen.”

Vying for a win in the “Pro” category is returning champion of the 2009 “Celebrity” category Keanu Reeves who is set to race against the pros, including Jimmy Vasser, 1996 CART Champion for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing and current IRL Team Owner and Toyota dealer; Steve Millen, Toyota MTEG Champion (1986 and 1988), IMSA GT Champion (1992 and 1994) and founder of STILLEN; Tanner Foust, Formula Drift champion and X Games Rally Gold Medalist; and Marty Nothstein, Olympic gold medalist, American professional road bicycle racer and track cyclist.

The Southern California Toyota Dealer seat is being filled by Chris Ashworth, Vice President & Partner of Toyota of North Hollywood. Rounding out the field are charity auction winners Jerry Westlund and Dave Pasant, who each won the opportunity to race in exchange for donations they made in two different charity auctions.

“As the crown jewel of celebrity race events for more than three decades, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race continues to attract the most adventurous celebrities and professional racers,” said Les Unger, Toyota’s national motorsports manager. “Throughout the history of this event we’ve managed to transform our favorite celebrities into high-speed racers, while also changing the lives of children in need.”

Toyota will donate $5,000 to “Racing for Kids” in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer’s charity of choice. Racing for Kids is a national non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, Calif. On behalf of the race and its participants, Toyota has donated more than $1.8 million to various children’s hospitals since 1991.

Finally, a $15,000 donation is made in conjunction with the 13th annual “PEOPLE Pole Award.” Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award honors the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on Friday, April 16.

Joon Maeng Produces Video of First Test Session

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Formula DRIFT pilot, Joon Maeng has just produced a video of his first test session with the Full Tilt Poker Mazda Nitto RX8. Joon warmed up quickly to the racecar and enjoyed the endless power the Mazdatrix turbo 3 rotor was able to deliver. “I was astonished with testing the Full Tilt Poker MAZDA RX-8! First time driving a vehicle with 604 WHP and 486 TORQUE! Those phenomenal Nitto NT05’s were smoking up the entire track and had plenty of traction and predictability! Bergenholtz Racing did an amazing job building this machine! I’m still trying to adapt with this powerful Mazda Trix 3 rotor Tial turbo Motec M800 setup.” Said Joon Maeng pilot of the Full Tilt Poker Mazda Nitto RX8.

Overall, the test session for the Full Tilt Poker Mazda Nitto Drift Team went well and the team is currently making improvements. “We found a number of gremlins in the car that Joon managed to shake out of the Mazda. Joon did really good and despite the gremlins was able to practice and burn through 12 Nitto NT05’s. I know he’s going to get even crazier when we address and remove all the gremlins. I know it’s going to be a great Formuila Drift season!” Said Ron Bergenholtz Team Manager of the Full Tilt Poker Mazda Nitto Drift Team.