Category: Behind The Scenes

Behind the Scenes – Life of FD Staff

Art of Formula D: A 2009 Season Retrospective

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Tonight the private / VIP opening night for the Art of Formula D: A 2009 Season Retrospective was held. Featuring the photography of Jose Martinez, Linhbergh, and Estevan Oriol. A special video from Will Roegge was also released (we will post it ASAP.)

A complete posting will be completed soon, but for now enjoy the flyer and be sure to come by to check out the gallery in Long Beach this weekend. The gallery is a phantom gallery meaning it does not have to be open for you to view the amazing photography prints as you can browse through the gallery spaces windows at the art. The gallery will be open for a short time during the Formula DRIFT weekend and also during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. Check back for a more complete update tomorrow.

USA Today Mentions Formula DRIFT and Falken Tires

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Sliding upward: Formula Drift’s season opener runs Friday and Saturday on the streets of Long Beach, and Team Falken returns as a four-car juggernaut that has been called the sport’s version of Penske Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.

Similar to those NASCAR powerhouses, Falken is housed primarily in the Charlotte area at Autosport Dynamics.

“It’s been very flattering to draw those comparisons,” says Nick Fousekis, the senior manager of consumer marketing for Falken Tire, which also is fielding two cars in the American Le Mans Series. “The easy way out is to write a check. We’re aggressive about sending our message properly.”

Falken recently tested at Charlotte Motor Speedway with drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. (Ford Mustang) and Tyler McQuarrie (Nissan 350Z convertible). Gittin says Charlotte’s rich talent pool and access to parts was a major reason he was able to persuade Falken to base its team there a few years ago.

“It makes a lot of sense to be here (in Charlotte),” says Gittin, who unveiled Monster Energy drink as his new sponsor this week.

Contributing: Nate Ryan

more USA TODAY

Monster Energy, Vaughn Gittin Jr, and Falken Tire form an epic partnership

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Monster Energy, Vaughn Gittin Jr, and Falken Tire form an epic partnership

MOORESVILLE, NC (April 8, 2010) – Professional Drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. announced
today a multi-year partnership with Monster Energy to serve as co-primary sponsor on
Gittin’s 2011 Monster Energy/Falken Tire Ford Mustang that competes on the Formula
Drift series. Gittin, a former world champion, is entering his seventh season on the
popular Formula Drift series.

“Monster Energy is a leading supporter of motorsports across the globe, so to bring
them into Drifting in a big way is huge for the sport,” said Gittin, Jr., 29, of
Joppa, Md. “It is an honor to join the long list of elite athletes that represent
Monster Energy. Between Monster Energy, Team Falken Tire, and our Ford Racing 5.0L
2011 Mustang, we have everything we need be a competitive force in the Formula Drift
Championship this season.”

Gittin Jr., known as “JR” in the sport, has become one of drifting’s most iconic
figures and his machine, the 680HP Ford Mustang GT, one of the sport’s most
identifiable cars. Gittin is known best by his aggressive, foot-to-the-floor,
big-smoke driving style. Being such a fierce competitor, Gittin is known as the only
American to beat the Japanese at their own game in winning a D1 Grand Prix
competition, not once – but twice. In 2005, Gittin stunned the world when he won the
D1GP USA vs. Japan event. In 2007, he brought America home the gold once more by
winning the D1GP World Championship. Gittin has earned five career podiums in the
Formula Drift series, which has cemented itself as the premier Drifting series in
the world.

“Vaughn’s talent, passion, and drive make him one of the most unique and charismatic
personalities in all of Drifting,” said Mike Vicente, Monster Energy’s Motorsports
Marketing Director. “For these reasons, Vaughn is a perfect ambassador to help
Monster Energy make an immediate impact on the sport. Vaughn goes above and beyond
by pushing the limits of traditional sponsorship by creating unique concepts and
programs, yet still retaining his grassroots connection to the sport.”

The Formula Drift series kicks off the 2010 season with Round One on the streets of
Long Beach, Calif. on April 9-10 and continues with six more rounds in Road Atlanta
(Braselton, Ga.), Wall Speedway (Wall, NJ), Evergreen Speedway (Monroe, Wash.), Las
Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, NV), Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, Calif.), and Toyota
Speedway at Irwindale (Irwindale, Calif.). TV coverage is provided by Versus. For
more information, visit www.FormulaD.com.

The partnership was secured and is managed by Gittin’s management firm, Motorsports
Management International, located in Mooresville, NC.

Media Day

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Each year Formula DRIFT participates in the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach media day. Formula DRIFT drivers get a chance to test out the street course before the season begins as well as give a select few media members a chance for a once in a life ride along. The day is spent alongside the Toyota Pro Celebrity race practice as well. This year celebrities such as Christian Slater, Adrian Brody, Brian Austin Green, Patrick Wharburton, Adam Carolla, and Tony Hawk will be driving against the “pro” drivers that include Formula DRIFT’s own Tanner Foust, Steve Millen, and Keanu Reeves (since he won the race last year).

Here are some images from the day that includes the debut of Matt Powers Nissan S14 with new graphics, Ken Gushi’s new DTA x Scion Racing wrap, and more. Round 1: Streets of Long Beach is this weekend April 9-10 for more info visit www.formulad.com