Author: FormulaD

Gardella Racing Announces Expanded 2011 Program

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GARDELLA RACING ANNOUNCES EXPANDED 2011 PROGRAM WITH ADDITION OF ’09 FORMULA DRIFT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ERIC O’SULLIVAN

HOWELL, NJ (February 1, 2011) – Gardella Racing announced today that Irish drifting champion and 2009 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Eric O’Sullivan, will join the Howell NJ-based team for 2011.

In an exciting move, O’Sullivan will re-locate to Gardella Racing’s headquarters to become heavily involved as both a team driver and Gardella Racing Ambassador in the Formula DRIFT and grass roots programs.

Campaigning the Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice in the 2011 Formula DRIFT Pro Drift Championship, O’Sullivan will shortly begin an extensive testing program alongside Gardella Racing driver Ryan Tuerck. In addition to the 2011 Formula DRIFT Program, O’Sullivan will also enjoy a broader role as Gardella Racing Ambassador reaching out to the grass roots communities of North American Drifting.

Speaking on the announcement of the move Eric O’Sullivan stated, “This move is a dream come true for me. I am extremely proud and honored to have been given this opportunity with Gardella Racing. Gardella Racing is a team that I have always admired for their professionalism and commitment to top-level motorsports and I am delighted to now be part of the team. Our plans for 2011 are extremely exciting and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the GR Pontiac Solstice and begin preparations.”

Following an extensive search for a 2nd driver via the team’s social media network , Gardella Racing Team Owner Gary Gardella also commented on the deal , “There are a lot of talented drivers out there, many of whom applied to be part of the Gardella Racing team.  Eric was the one driver who stood out and met all of the qualities I was looking for in a driver,” continued Gardella. “He is a champion driver,  a great spokesman for partners, and a team player, expecting to be more involved in the team in addition to driving.”

More details on the extent of O’Sullivan’s role with Gardella Racing will be   revealed over the coming months when the Irish driver will travel to New Jersey and be officially introduced to his 2011 team and vehicle.


Ryan Tuerck On Monticello Motor Club

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[vimeo width=”570″ height=”321″]http://vimeo.com/19581984[/vimeo]

D-UPdrifting.com invited Ryan Tuerck from Gardella Racing up to Monticello Motor Club a few months back for a private test session.  This video is a preview of the track and layouts that D-UP Drifting will be running this upcoming season. Enjoy as Ryan describes the track and tears up the Gardella Racing Solstice all over Monticello.

Kenda Tire Signs Formula Drift Rookie, Brad Hettinger

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COLUMBUS, OHIO (January 27, 2011) – Kenda Tire has signed Formula Drift rookie, Brad Hettinger, as the 2nd driver to compete in the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Series for 2011.

Brad, owner of Groundwerks Garage, is no stranger to competition.  In 2009 Brad finished in FD Pro AM 5th place qualifier and 13th overall. Hettinger, also qualified 7th in XDC New Jersey, running on Kenda Tires in 2010.

Brad will be joining team mate Dennis Mertzanis in a V8 powered Nissan S14 owned by LM Racing. To follow Kenda Tires and Brad Hettinger’s effort for the 2011 Formula D season, point your browsers to: http://www.groundwerksgarage.com & http://www.luismartinezracing.com

Kenda, a leading manufacturer of automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), golf cart, lawn mower, industrial and trailer tires in the world, has maintained its North American headquarters in Columbus, Ohio for the last three decades. Since the inception of the company in 1962, Kenda has operated on core values of honesty, innovation, quality and customer service. For nearly 50 years, Kenda has continued to develop and expand its product selections to meet changing market demands.

Visit http://www.kendausa.com for more information.

DIRECTV To Debut First Formula DRIFT Program in 3D

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Long Beach, Calif. – Jan. 27, 2011 – DIRECTV is bringing the race track into the living room with the exclusive 3D broadcast of Formula DRIFT’s “Round 7: Title Fight Event” on DIRECTV’s 3D channel, n3D, powered by Panasonic, channel 103. Beginning Friday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, DIRECTV customers will have access to two, one-hour specials, which will offer extensive race coverage, behind the scenes footage and exclusive interviews, all in 3D.

Produced by DIRECTV and Formula DRIFT, the 3D special will follow the heated action surrounding the final event of Formula DRIFT’s 2010 season, which was held at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., last October. The footage will include:

• Complete coverage of the “Title Fight” season finale, including the final battle between two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin.
• Exclusive interviews with Formula DRIFT pro drivers.
• Drifting tips by pro drivers, including Tanner Foust
• Behind the scenes with Formula DRIFT owners Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage.
• Coverage of off-the-track action including fans, vendors, import models and more.

“Watching Formula DRIFT’s championship series at home in 3D will make every counter steer, plume of smoke and wreck feel like it is happening in the middle of your living room,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV. “Our 3D technology enables us to take what is already an exciting event and make it even more compelling for viewers to experience at home.”

“This was a very ambitious project given that it is the first of its kind for the sport of drifting and also taking into consideration the sheer nature of 3D filming and the nature and physics of the sport,” said Ryan Sage, vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “DIRECTV came in and really nailed it. Viewing Formula DRIFT in 3D is probably one of the most visceral and exciting things to view in the 3D genre right now.”

Formula DRIFT Announces 2011 Pro Championship Schedule

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Formula DRIFT Announces 2011 Pro Championship Schedule;
Palm Beach International Raceway Added to List of Venues

Long Beach, Calif. – January 20, 2011 – Formula DRIFT has announced the official 2011 Pro Championship Schedule of Events. Palm Beach International Raceway has been added to the list of venues and will host Round 3 on June 3-4, 2011.

“Formula DRIFT consistently pushes to grow the sport of drifting and entering our eighth year as a professional series we are proud of where we have been able to take the sport,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We are fortunate to work with the top venues for motorsports in the nation and provide quality entertainment to fans across the country.”

The 2011 Formula DRIFT Season Schedule

Round 1 – Streets of Long Beach – Long Beach, CA – April 8-9
Round 2 – Road to the Championship – Road Atlanta – Atlanta, GA – May 6-7
Round 3 – Invasion – Palm Beach International Raceway – Palm Beach, FL – June 3-4
Round 4 – The Gauntlet – Wall Speedway – Wall, NJ – June 17-18
Round 5 – Throwdown – Evergreen Speedway – Monroe, WA – July 22-23
Round 6 – After Dark – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV – August 26-27
Round 7 – Title Fight – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – Irwindale, CA – October 7-8

For the first time in several seasons Formula DRIFT has added a new venue and will visit South Florida at Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach. The newly remodeled facility features multiple state of the art tracks. Formula DRIFT will utilize the road course to create a unique drifting course that is to Formula DRIFT standards.

“I have been to the track since the new face-lift and it is truly a remarkable facility,” stated Ryan Sage, vice president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “From the course expansions, tarmac condition, lighting and the fact that it is situated in South Florida. Palm Beach International Raceway will be a great addition to the Series.”

The Formula DRIFT season begins on April 8-9, 2011 with Round 1: Streets of Long Beach in Downtown Long Beach, CA. Tickets will be available for purchase online through the Formula DRIFT website. A new website will be launched in the coming weeks. For information on when tickets go on-sale visit: www.formuladrift.com