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Author: FormulaD
Formula DRIFT Experts to Teach UAE Drivers
Yas Marina Circuit gives 10 UAE Nationals the drifting chance of a lifetime
Abu Dhabi, 15 February 2011 – Yas Marina Circuit today announced the names of 10 UAE Nationals who will be given the opportunity to attend the Formula DRIFT Academy. The UAE drivers will be trained by world-class drift experts Michael Essa and Tony Brakiohapa in the art of drift racing and could be selected to display their skills at the Formula DRIFT event at Yas Marina Circuit on 25 February.
The 10 drivers will learn about drift vehicle preparation and setup before taking to the Yas Vehicle Dynamic Area for individual drift technique coaching sessions. Four will then be selected for advanced coaching at the Yas Formula DRIFT circuit alongside a grid full of Formula DRIFT drivers, before demonstrating their art in front of the crowd at the Formula DRIFT event.
The lucky 10 drivers are Mohammed Habib, Bassam al Shaya, Fahed Al Loughani, Abdullah Habib, Murshed Al Romaithi, Yousef Al Romaithi, Ahmed Al Romaithi, Ahmed Omar, Ahmed Al Ameri, and Hamad Al Ameri.
Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit, is pleased to offer local drivers this unique opportunity. “We are always looking for local talent in Abu Dhabi to be involved in motorsport,” he said. “This is a great chance to develop our future motorsport stars. Drift racing requires a high level of car control and concentration, and the visiting Formula DRIFT drivers are the ideal people to teach those skills.
Attendees at the Formula DRIFT event will be able to hear a performance from the exclusive Formula DRIFT song, Urban Skills, produced by Brvjnes to celebrate the event. The song will be performed by singer Hisham and is available for free download from the Yas Marina Circuit website and Facebook page.
Tickets to Formula DRIFT at Yas Marina Circuit start from AED 50. Children aged 12 and under are free when accompanied by a General Admission or Premium ticket holder. To book or for more information call 800 YAS (927) or go to www.yasmarinacircuit.ae for details.
Formula DRIFT Announces the Inaugural Formula Drift Academy at Yas Marina Circuit
Formula DRIFT and Yas Marina Circuit have today confirmed the addition of a Formula Drift Academy to the exciting schedule of events surrounding the forthcoming debut of Formula DRIFT in Abu Dhabi.
Taking place over 2 days at Yas Marina Circuit, Formula DRIFT will invite 10 of the best local drifting drivers to participate in an intensive training program alongside established Formula DRIFT professional drivers Michael Essa and Tony Brakiohapa.
On Saturday February 19th, local drivers will learn about drift vehicle preparation and setup before taking to the Yas Marina Dynamic Area for individual coaching sessions in drifting technique. From the ten local participants, 4 drivers will be selected to proceed to a second training session on February 23rd where they will take to the Formula DRIFT circuit on the Yas Marina North Complex amongst the full grid of Formula DRIFT drivers for advanced coaching.
The final test for the local UAE drivers will be to take centre stage during the Formula DRIFT event on February 25th & display their skills in front of their home crowd and under the watchful eye of a global online audience.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. Main Character in NFS SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED
Vaughn Gittin Jr. main character in NFS SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED, with Monster Energy Falken Tire Ford Mustang and NFS RTR-X as boss cars
BALTIMORE, Md. (February 23, 2011) – The most successful racing video game series in the world, Electronic Art’s Need for Speed, is releasing the highly-anticipated SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED to the public March 29th, and 2010 Formula Drift Champion, Vaughn Gittin Jr., is excited to announce his huge involvement with the most realistic and immersive racing game on the market.
The Monster Energy Falken Tire 2011 Ford Mustang that Vaughn piloted to win the 2010 Formula Drift Championship will be the “boss car” for the Drift element of UNLEASHED. All players have the opportunity to have Vaughn’s competition car in their garage and drift it at famous tracks such as Irwindale Speedway and Ebisu Circuit. “Not only does it look the part,” says Vaughn, “but it’s handling and throttle response are as much crazy in-game as it is in real life.”
The Team Need for Speed ’69 Mustang RTR-X is the “boss car” in the Muscle element of the game and every player will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of this amazing vehicle. “Just don’t scratch the paint!” Vaughn says jokingly.
Besides his vehicles being in-game and his personal contributions to the physics and other elements of SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED, Vaughn is honored that he is also the main character in the game. “I am each players’ friend and coach in the game,” Vaughn explains. “I am the guy that gives the player confidence before and during the races, I applaud players when they are killing it, and I yell at them when they are making mistakes.”
Not only is Vaughn in the player’s corner throughout the game, but he also works with them to teach them how to drift during the drift tutorial. “Being the frequent Sim player that I am, I truly believe that having a proper virtual driving experience translates to a shorter learning curve when the opportunity arrives to hit the track in real life,” says Vaughn Gittin Jr.
“Working on SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED has been a true project of passion for me,” Vaughn continues. “I am very excited for the world to have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of my cars virtually. Who knows, it could turn into reality for a few gamers one day! I sincerely hope everyone enjoys SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED. The team has put a lot of passion behind each element of the game to offer in my opinion what is the best console driving experience to date!”
Read Vaughn’s blog on Speedhunters.com for more details and pictures. Stay tuned to VaughnGittin.com for updated news, pictures, and videos.
