Category: FD News

Formula DRIFT Announces 2018 Championship Calendar

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Formula DRIFT Announces 2018 Championship Calendar

Long Beach, Calif. – December 5, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship has announced the official 2018 calendar for the Pro Championship and Pro2 Championship. The 15th Anniversary season will feature eight rounds of competition within the continental United States.

Notable changes include the addition of Gateway Motorsports Park, located just outside St. Louis, MO to fill a gap in the Midwest. Las Vegas will replace the iconic Irwindale Speedway for the season finale due to Irwindale’s closure this coming January.

“Returning to the Midwest has been a goal for us since our last event in Chicago back in 2006,” said Jim Liaw, President and Co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Since then fans in the Midwest have been calling for a championship round and today we are happy to announce our return to the region. With the closure of such an iconic track as Irwindale Speedway, it was fitting to replace the venue with a location that provides glitz and glamour for a season finale that only Las Vegas can as a tourist destination. We expect a huge influx of fans traveling into Vegas for this round.”

Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship will begin in April at Round 1: Streets of Long Beach for the 2018 season. The 2018 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship Schedule is below:

2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship Schedule*

Round 1
April 6 – 7 – Streets of Long Beach – Long Beach, CA

Invitational: Super Drift Challenge at the Grand Prix of Long Beach**
April 13 – 14 – Streets of Long Beach – Long Beach, CA

Round 2
April 27 – 28 – Orlando Speedworld – Orlando, FL

Round 3
May 11 – 12 – Road Atlanta – Atlanta, GA with Pro2

Round 4
June 1 – 2 – Wall Stadium Speedway – Wall Township, NJ

Round 5
July 20 – 21 – Evergreen Speedway – Monroe, WA

Round 6
August 10 – 11 – Gateway Motorsports Park – St. Louis, MO with Pro2

Round 7
September 14 – 15 – Texas Motor Speedway – Dallas, TX with Pro2

Round 8
October 12 – 13 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV with Pro2
October 12 – 13 – Irwindale Speedway – Irwindale, California, USA with Pro2

*Subject to Change
**Non-Championship Points Competition

Formula DRIFT Extends Partnership with PASMAG for Official Fan Guide

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Long Beach, Calif. – November 20, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras has extended the partnership with PASMAG, part of the Performance Publication Media Group, to continue to create the Official Series Fan Guide. The three year extension will extend into the 2020 season.

The 2018 Formula DRIFT Fan Guide will celebrate the 15th year anniversary of the Series and will also mark the 10th consecutive year for the partnership between the Series and Publication, which began in 2008.

“Working with Jim and Ryan and the entire team at Formula DRIFT each year to produce the souvenir Fan Guide is an annual highlight for all of us at PASMAG,” said Tim Rutledge, PAS Mag Group Publisher. “The excitement and professionalism of the Formula DRIFT series is an inspiration to us all in the community and we’re thrilled to continue this amazing partnership for the 10th year in a row.”

The Formula DRIFT Fan Guide features 132 digest-size full –color, full-gloss format pages, which are perfect for autographs. The Fan Guide is available for free at each of the eight Formula DRIFT Pro Championship events and additional specialty events through the year as well as through the PASMAG dealer network and traditional retail stores. An enhanced digital version is available all season on PASMAG’s website, www.pasmag.com, and on the Formula DRIFT website, www.formulad.com.

“As we enter the milestone 15th season for the Series, we are excited to continue our relationship with PASMAG,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The special 2018 15th year anniversary edition of the Fan Guide will sure to be a collector’s item for the fans and we can’t wait for the new season to begin.”

For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Formula DRIFT Makes a Series of Announcements at SEMA;

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Formula DRIFT Makes a Series of Announcements at SEMA;
Black Magic® Signs 2-Year Extension as Series Title Sponsor, PRO 2 Exclusive Tires and 2018 Provisional Schedule

Long Beach, Calif. – November 1, 2017 – Formula DRIFT has announced that ITW Global Brands has extended their support of the Series with Title Sponsor Black Magic and Official Sponsor Gumout for 2018 and 2019 season. Formula DRIFT also announced the addition of ITW Global Brands, Permatex and Fast Orange as Official Sponsors for the 2018 Pro Championship.

Additionally, Formula DRIFT announced that it has entered into an exclusive relationship with two tire manufacturers, Achilles Radial and Nexen Tire, who will serve as the Official Tire Suppliers of Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Championship. The partnership will help with team cost containment, company inventory management and competition parity. These steps will help continue to serve the development of the next generation of PRO drivers.

Formula DRIFT has announced the provisional schedule for the 2018 Championship Season. Notable changes include moving the final round of the season, which was previously Irwindale Speedway (now closed), to Las Vegas. Additionally, St. Louis and Montreal are in contention for venue prospects for the July event.

The Black Magic Formula DRIFT Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras will begin in April at Round 1: Streets of Long Beach for the 2018 season. 2018 provisional schedule below:

2018 Black Magic Formula DRIFT Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras Provisional Schedule*

Round 1: Streets of Long Beach
April 6 – 7 – Long Beach, CA

Invitational: Super Drift Challenge at the Grand Prix of Long Beach**
April 13 – 14 – Long Beach, CA

Round 2: Invasion
April 27 – 28 – Orlando, FL

Round 3: Road to the Championship
May 11 – 12 – Atlanta, GA with PRO 2

Round 4: The Gauntlet
June – Wall, NJ

Round 5: Throwdown
July – Monroe, WA

Round 6: TBD
August – St. Louis, MO with PRO 2 or Montreal, CANADA

Round 7: Showdown
September 14 – 15 – Dallas, TX with PRO 2

Round 8: Title Fight
October 12 – 13 – Las Vegas, NV with PRO 2

*Subject to Change
**Non-Championship Points Competition

Formula DRIFT Raises Over $20,000 for Natural Disaster Relief

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Formula DRIFT Raises Over $20,000 for Natural Disaster Relief

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Long Beach, Calif. – October 23, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras has raised over $20,000 to aid the natural disaster relief efforts.

A group of volunteers comprised of Formula DRIFT staff members, sponsors, and teams / drivers came together to organize and create a campaign via eBay Charity to raise money and awareness for three charity organizations: Americares, All Hands Volunteers, and Direct Relief. Casidi Tanaka-Fixmer of Formula DRIFT, Jessica Luo of STR Racing, and Michelle Forsberg, wife of 3-time champion, Chris Forsberg lead the planning and execution to help make this a success. Through the course of 7 days, special memorabilia and other items including an all-expense paid trip the Formula DRIFT season kick-off in Long Beach in April, were donated for the special auction that ended last weekend during the Formula DRIFT Finals.

“In light of the various natural disasters that have taken place, every little bit helps, and we are grateful for all of the fans, teams, and sponsors that have come together to help raise this donation,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “Our hearts go out to the many families, friends, and fans that have been affected by these circumstances.”

Formula DRIFT Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight” Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight” Results;

Piotr Wiecek Takes the Event Victory and James Deane is Crowned Champion

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Long Beach, Calif. – October 14, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Irwindale Speedway for Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight”. Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan 240 takes home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinches Rookie of the Year honors, while his teammate James Deane in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan 240 clinches his first Formula DRIFT Championship.

Deane completed an impressive season with four event victories and a third place finish at tonight’s finale to secure the championship. His sponsor Falken Tire swept the podium and won the Tire Manufacturer championship for their second consecutive time. Toyota wins their fourth consecutive Manufacturer championship.

“It’s been such an intense weekend at the biggest event I’ve ever competed in with the championship on the line at one of the craziest tracks I’ve ever driven,” said James Deane, 2017 Formula DRIFT champion. “It is also my birthday today so there was just so many emotions and with so many fans coming in from Ireland and Poland, I just wanted to put on a good show. It’s just been a dream season.”

The sold out crowd came for one last Formula DRIFT finale at Irwindale Speedway, which is often referred as the birthplace of US drifting. The Livestream drew over 1 millionviews over the course of the event.

“This was an incredible season that saw the rise of two exceptional international drivers. It’s a testament of the talent in the Series having the best drifters in the world choosing Formula DRIFT to compete,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “We look forward to our 15th season and have some exciting things planned for next year.”

In the Top 4, Vaughn Gittin in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR faced off against Daijiro Yoshihara in the Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ. In his chase run, Gittin made contact with the wall giving the win to Yoshihara to move him into the Finals. While in the Great 8, Deane and Aurimas Bakchis, made contact, which Bakchis was deemed at fault. Deane failed to get his car fixed in the allotted time giving his Worthouse teammate the win to put him into the Finals. In the Finals, Yoshihara and Wiecek had a very close battle, but the speed and proximity of Wiecek was too much to overcome. Wiecek takes his first Formula DRIFT victory and secured his Rookie of the Year honors

“I feel amazing,” said Piotr Wiecek, winner of Round 8: Title Fight. “It’s such a great atmosphere and such a great sport. I’d like to thank my whole crew and teammate James. What an unbelievable season.”

For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight”

1. Wiecek, Piotr

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

Winner

2. Yoshihara, Dai

Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ

2nd Place

3. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

3rd Place

4. Gittin, Vaughn

Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

4th Place

5. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

5th Place

6. Pawlak, Justin

Roush Performance Ford Mustang

6th Place

7. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

7th Place

8. Heilbrunn, Alec

Monster BMW E46

8th Place

9. Denofa, Chelsea

BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

9th Place

10. Forsberg, Chris

NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z

10th Place

11. Essa, Michael

Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW E46

11th Place

12. Field, Matt

Falken Tire / Vapetasia / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

12th Place

13. Hohnadell, Alec

Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240

13th Place

14. Bluss, Kristaps

HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E92

14th Place

15. Gushi, Ken

GReddy Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota 86

15th Place

16. Castro, Jhonnattan

Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86

16th Place

2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Final Standings

1. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240

651.00 Points

2. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

538.00 Points

3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

418.00 Points

2017 Manufacturer Championship Final Standings

1. Toyota

923.00 Points

2. Ford

751.00 Points

3. BMW

367.00 Points

4. Dodge

311.00 Points

4. Nissan

294.00 Points

6. Infiniti

174.00 Points

2017 Tire Championship Final Standings

1. Falken

1255.00 Points

2. Nexen

979.00 Points

3. Achilles

877.00 Points

4. Nitto

781.00 Points

5. Hankook

705.00 Points