[PRESS RELEASE] Formula DRIFT to Launch World Championship in 2015

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For Immediate Release

November 20, 2013

Formula DRIFT to Launch World Championship in 2015 

Long Beach, Calif. – November 20, 2013 – Following the recent announcement of the merger between Formula DRIFT USA and Asia operations, Formula DRIFT has announced a World Championship series slated for 2015. Formula DRIFT will begin to operate a world championship that will be integration of the Formula DRIFT USA and Formula DRIFT Asia operations. Current Formula DRIFT USA and Formula DRIFT Asia Pro Championships will continue to run as is with the World Championship as the over arching pinnacle.

“This move is inevitable. With two firmly established operational series on at least three continents, it makes sense to link them together. Drifting is a global sport and we believe we are the global leader in the Sport. The gold standard in international motorsports is that when a championship series is able to be held on three continents, it can then be classified as a world championship, otherwise the moniker would not have real meaning,” stated Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We’ve also given ourselves plenty of time to plan and build this out so that our methodical planning can be integrated into the World Championship in a productive and meaningful way. Our focus has always been one that targets longevity and sustainability.”

Starting in 2014, Formula DRIFT will merge their USA and Asia operations with a global headquarters in Long Beach, CA and a regional office in Singapore. The merger comes after six years of successful event operations in Asia taking the Formula DRIFT Asia Championship Series to Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and earlier this year, Australia. The Formula DRIFT licensor, Driftpac will remain an integral part of the Formula DRIFT events in Asia and will continue to assist in expansion of the brand but the Formula DRIFT global operations will begin to operate each event internationally as it does with the USA Series.

In 2015, Formula DRIFT will consider some or all of the events on the Formula DRIFT USA and Formula DRIFT Asia calendar as well as possible new host venues into a points championship that will include events on at least three continents. The Formula DRIFT USA and Asia Series will still operate status quo but the new Formula DRIFT World Championship will be created to sit on top of both of the existing Series as the first global championship for drifting. The World Championship will also have its own prize purse, media package and champion. Drivers that are currently competing in both Series’ include Daigo Saito, Robbie Nishida, Fredric Aasbo and Ken Gushi.

Additional information will be announced prior to the start of the 2014 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship season.

 

Formula DRIFT Pro 2 Series Announced; New Series to Begin in 2014

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November 13, 2013

Formula DRIFT Pro 2 Series Announced; 

New Series to Begin in 2014 

Long Beach, Calif. – November 13, 2013 – Formula DRIFT has announced the creation of the Formula DRIFT Pro 2 Series. New series to begin in 2014 with four events in conjunction with Formula DRIFT Pro Championship.

The Formula DRIFT Pro 2 Series is a new edition to the Formula DRIFT brand. The Pro 2 Series will become the primary bridge for Pro-Am drivers to become eligible for the Formula DRIFT Pro Championship. Drivers competing in the Formula DRIFT Pro-Am Series will earn their way into the Pro 2 Series before moving on into the Pro Championship Series. The Series will also be available for Pro Championship drivers that are unable to meet the minimum to renew their Pro Championship license.

“Formula DRIFT Pro 2 is something that has been long coming. We can now have a proper structure in place for progression up the ladder in Formula DRIFT,” stated Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “This will help lessen the burden on the Pro Series and also give new drivers the experience of a world class event.”

The Formula DRIFT Pro 2 Series will have the same rules and regulations as the Pro Championship Series. The competition will run as a Top 16 bracket with the qualifying leading into the head-to-head competition.

The new Series will begin operations for the 2014 season and will be fully operational in 2015. The events will be in conjunction with select Formula DRIFT Pro Championship event rounds. The goal will be to help drivers fine tune their driving abilities and skill level along with learn and build the business acumen in a professional competitive environment during a Pro Championship event weekend.