Category: FD News

SEMA News – March 2013: Jim Liaw Discusses Racing Youth

News

Posted on

Excerpt from article

According to Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift, economics play a huge factor in youth motorsports involvement.

“Motorsports participants skew older in most cases because motorsports are more expensive than sports like surfing, basketball or even golf,” Liaw explained. “An older individual tends to have more disposable income. Yes, there are a lot of young drivers in development—kids that are go-karting, young drivers going through development series such as F2000, Indy Lights, etc.—but they are rare and few and are funded by family money.”

Along with the motorsports mentioned above, drifting not only remains a favorite of young performance enthusiasts, but has also developed a cultural following.

“Cost of entry is low,” said Liaw. “Participants are much younger. If you look at the profiles of Formula Drift Pro Drivers, they range from 21–39, representing a dozen countries and multiple ethnicities. The majority of them have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, which shows that they are social-media savvy and are early adaptors to these new technologies. In 2012, we had 38 drivers commit to the entire tour, showing that most of them consider Formula Drift a major priority—if not the priority—in their driving careers.”

CLICK HERE for the full story.

MotoIQ Radio: Ryan Sage To Discuss The Super Drift Challenge!

News

Posted on

During tonight’s MotoIQ Radio Show, Vice President, Co-Founder Ryan Sage will discuss details of the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge. The event is set to take place during the weekend of the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 19-20.

CLICK HERE for more information about tonight’s show that will air on 3/14 at 8pm PST/11pm EST.

 

GSR Autosport & Michael Essa: Open House X Launch Party

News

Posted on

GSR Autosport is holding a launch party and open house at their shop in Lake Forest, CA this weekend for the launch of their new Formula DRIFT car for the 2013 Pro Championship Season and to introduce some of their new sponsors. For more information, visit them on Facebook.

GoPro Signs on as Presenting Sponsor of Formula DRIFT Championship

News

Posted on

Long Beach, Calif. – March 12, 2013 – Formula DRIFT is proud to announce that GoPro has signed on to be the presenting sponsor for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Championship seasons. GoPro will be the exclusive and official camera partner for the Series for this term and be deeply integrated in the Series as the premier camera brand.

“We are very proud to partner with the Formula Drift Series, and look forward to helping present a unique perspective to an already exciting series,” says Rod Rojas, GoPro Motorsports Marketing Manager.

GoPro, makers of the world’s most versatile cameras, will become the exclusive on-car and in-car camera during official competition. In addition to GoPro adding a technological jump into the TV and live stream production of Formula DRIFT, Formula DRIFT will also have access to GoPro’s media distribution and promotional channels.

“Having GoPro as our presenting sponsor for the next three seasons is a big deal for us,” stated Ryan Sage, vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “A brand like GoPro is any event series dream and this partnership fits right in with our directional planning of the series.”

Ultimate 86 Motorsports Announces Team Sponsors For 2013 Formula Drift Championship

News

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Los Angeles Ca. March 8th 2013 – Ultimate 86 Motorsports released details of the team sponsors for the 2013 Formula Drift championship.   Title sponsorship of the team’s turbocharged V8 Scion FR-S will be shared by DTA Posse and Transformers Decepticons.

“I am extremely happy to announce DTA and Decepticons as our title sponsors,”  said Otto Graven, team owner and driver.  “I am looking forward to having a great 2013 season in Formula Drift with a new car, new sponsors and a great crew.  I think that Formula D is the toughest championship in the world with the best drivers, cars and teams in the sport.  The 2013 championship will be epic and we intend to be in the fight at every round.”

DTA president Yo Esbensen commented on the new partnership.  “Rogue Status and DTA have had a long history in motorsports and drifting in particular.  We are stepping our game up in 2013 and the collaboration with Hasbro was a perfect fit for the Ultimate 86 drift team.  Its an honor to collaborate with a brand that you remember as a child.
When Hasbro approached us to collaborate because of our involvement in motorsports, it made sense to combine two of our passions into a real life figure eight.
DTA x Transformers – Don’t Trust Autobots!”

In addition to the DTA and Decepticons title sponsorship Ultimate 86 Motorsports also announced that they have secured support from Falken Tire, Garrett Turbochargers, KW Suspension, Turbosmart, Cusco, Injector Dynamics, Wilwood Brakes, Motegi Wheels, Cortex Precision Technologies, Mishimoto and WORLD Motorsports.

“We have a dream-team of sponsors for the Ultimate 86 Motorsports Scion FR-S,”  Otto Graven said.  “Without the support of these great companies it simply would not be possible to compete at the top level in Formula Drift.  Our sponsors have elevated our racing program to the next level.  I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and put on a show for the fans.”

Construction of the car is underway at WORLD Motorsports in Torrance Ca. with Scott “Chip” Stanwood heading up the design and fabrication.  Scott and crew-chief Mike Warfield are working at full throttle to complete the final stages of construction. Scott Stanwood will also be the teams spotter in Formula Drift competition.

The team will debut the new car on April 12th-13th at the first round of the Formula D championship in Long Beach Ca.

For more information contact:  [email protected]