CLICK HERE for the full article and more information
Category: FD News
Formula DRIFT Releases Comprehensive Fan Study
Long Beach, Calif. – April 24, 2014 – Formula DRIFT has released a comprehensive fan study compiled from thousands of live event attendees from each round of the 2013 season. The study reveals that Formula DRIFT fans are nearly exclusive to the Series and a majority of fans have watched the online live stream.
The report was produced by surveying thousands of Formula DRIFT live event attendees over the course of the 2013 season. The study has found that nearly 50% of Formula DRIFT fans did not attend at least one other major league sports or major motorsports event in 2013 showing the exclusivity of the audience. The closest sport that had a quantifiable overlap was Major League Baseball at 16.62%, while the closest motor sport was Supercross at 12.73%. Another finding shows that over 80% of Formula DRIFT fans have watched the “Driftstream,” in 2013. The full report can be seen below.
“This study clearly demonstrated what we have thought all along about our audience,” says Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “These are not just average event goers. The event attendees of Formula DRIFT are exclusive to the brand, not only in terms of general events, but more importantly, our fans are highly preferential to us in the realm of motor sports. Further, when not attending a Formula DRIFT event, the fans follow the brand by watching our live stream. These statistics infer a highly engaged, highly exclusive fan.”
A’PEXi Racing- FORMULA DRIFT 2014 – ROUND 1-LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA RACE REPORT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2014
A’PEXi Racing- FORMULA DRIFT 2014 – ROUND 1-LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA RACE REPORT
ORANGE, CA – The 2014 Formula Drift season kicks off a new season with a new beginning for the A’PEXi Racing team with seasoned D1GP driver, Kuniaki Takahashi behind the wheel of the Lexus SC430. During this offseason, the crew was at work making changes to the SC430 machine that were geared towards Takahashi-san’s vehicle settings, including converting the vehicle to right-hand drive to assure the driver acclimation process to be as efficient as possible. Takahashi is known for his aggressive “all out” driving style driving Toyota chassis’ such as the JZX100/ Mark II and his current vehicle in the D1GP series, a Toyota Mark X, he is no stranger to the Lexus SC430.
The twin-turbocharged Lexus SC430 on Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08-R tires put down a couple of practice runs during practice, but unfortunately ran into mechanical issues during the session, and the crew hustled to get the machine back out on track in time for qualifying sessions, however, the limited seat time was not enough to result in a Top 32 qualifying score out of an estimated field of 60 cars. On the following weekend, the team was back out for the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge during the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend, Qualifying in the 11th position, and faced up against 2013 Formula Drift Champion and Yokohama Tire teammate, Michael Essa in his turbocharged BMW 3-series. Though, not able to advance into the Top 8 competition bracket, the potential of the vehicle with Kuniaki Takahashi behind the wheel was witnessed immediately during the tandem Top 16 round, and the team is anticipating a successful 2014 season.
During the back to back competition race weekends we were proud to introduce this year’s team and partners: A’PEXi Racing x Up Garage x Yokohama Tire with Kunny’z, rest assured that the team is hard at work preparing the SC430 to be the dependable and competitive machine that it has lived up to be the past few seasons. In addition, to developing and dialing in the vehicle to Takahashi’s specifications.
We would like to thank all of our 2014 partners for their continued support as the team gears up and prepares for the upcoming Formula Drift Round 2: Road to the Championship event hosted by Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA on May 9-10, 2014.
Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge Results
Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge Results;
Daigo Saito Takes the Victory
Long Beach, Calif. – April 12, 2014 – Formula DRIFT hosted the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge during the 40th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Daigo Saito in the Achilles Radial Lexus SC430 takes the victory.
The Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge for the second consecutive year brought motorsports action under the lights during the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach with a filled capacity within Turns 9, 10, and 11 of the famous street course. Sixteen of the top Formula DRIFT drivers competed for a $25,000 prize purse. Eight vehicle manufacturers and seven tire companies were represented in the competition.
“It is an honor to be able to bring drifting to the masses during the 40th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach,” stated Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “And to be able to showcase our sport for the second year in a row under the lights on the city streets is something special.”
The action under the lights along with ever changing track temperatures proved to be a test of driver skill. Number one qualifier, Forrest Wang in Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire Nissan S14 finishes in third place. Daigo Saito met teammate Kenny Moen in the Bridges Racing / Achilles Radial Nissan 240SX in the finals. Saito, the 2012 Formula DRIFT champion, was able to edge out Moen to take the victory. For the second consecutive weekend, Moen takes the second spot on the podium.
“Last weekend at Round 1 of Formula DRIFT was no good for me, but this week with a few modifications on the vehicle I was able to get the win,” said Daigo Saito, winner of the Motegi Super Drift Challenge. “I am happy with the win and look to continue the momentum into the next round.”
Motegi Super Drift Challenge Top 16 Bracket
The Motegi Super Drift Challenge during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach begins tonight at 7pm (PST) and will be aired live on the Driftstream.
More info can be found on FormulaD.com and GPLB.com.
