Category: Featured

Irwindale Speedway Statement

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“There has been recent news regarding the status of Irwindale Speedway. This situation is still very fluid and there is nothing definitive on the future of the facility or Formula DRIFT’s event there. There are rumors ranging from full closure to “business as usual” with changes only to staff and their in-house NASCAR and drag racing events, again nothing is definitive. The current issue from what we understand is between the facility operators and the property owners. Formula DRIFT will be monitoring the situation at Irwindale and will provide updates via our website and social media channels. As we have proven in the past, no matter what happens, Formula DRIFT will be prepared.”

– Jim Liaw, President and Co-founder of Formula DRIFT

Formula DRIFT Announces Kevin Wells as Technical Manager

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photo courtesy of Larry Chen

Long Beach, Calif. – November 9, 2011 – Formula DRIFT announced during the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas last week that Kevin Wells would take over the duties of Technical Manager for the Series, replacing Tony Angelo.

Wells brings to Formula DRIFT a wealth of experience as the former crew chief of Chris Forsberg Racing. During his tenure there, he received such honors as Crew Chief of the Year 3 times, 10 podiums, 5 wins, and 1 Formula DRIFT championship.

“We are eager to have Kevin Wells as our new technical manager,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Kevin brings a ton of mechanical and technical knowledge to Formula DRIFT and we welcome him to this side of the Series.”

Wells will replace former technical manager Tony Angelo, who will be returning to the Series as a driver. His primary duties will include the writing and enforcement of the technical regulations, develop new regulations, work together with a soon to be created technical committee, and more. Wells will travel with the Series and various FD international events including the Formula DRIFT Asia Championship to uphold the Formula DRIFT technical standards.

“I am excited and honored to take on this new role and set of responsibilities,” said Kevin Wells, new Formula DRIFT technical manager. “I’ve been involved with this emerging motorsport for a long time and will use my knowledge and expertise to help grow it even further to create a competitive, fair, and safe competitive field for the Series.”

Wells will begin his duties immediately as the teams begin preparing for the 2012 season, which begins on April 6-7, 2012 on the Streets of Long Beach. Wells will have dedicated tech hours at the Formula DRIFT office and can be reached via email at [email protected].

2011 SEMA Press Conference

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For those attending the annual SEMA tradeshow next week in Las Vegas, Formula DRIFT will hold a press conference to announce news items pertaining to the Series.

If you are a member of the media and would like to attend this press conference please RSVP to [email protected]. One on one interviews can be scheduled including co-founders Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage and the 2011 Formula DRIFT champion Daijiro Yoshihara.

Official Formula DRIFT SEMA Kickoff Party

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Formula Drift celebrates the end of its 8th season and kicks off this year’s SEMA Show on Tuesday, November 1st at PURE Night Club.

Come join…
– Industry icons
– Formula DRIFT Pro Drivers
– Industry’s hottest models
– DJ Miki Taka spinning a set in the Red Room
– Houston Astros slugger Carlos Lee
– And the ever infamous Carmen Electra

Formula DRIFT Round 7: Title Fight Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 7: Title Fight Results;
Daijiro Yoshihara Wins the Championship and Tyler McQuarrie Takes the Event Victory

Long Beach, Calif. – October 8, 2011 – Formula DRIFT returned to the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale for the final event of the 2011 season. Daijiro Yoshihara in the America’s Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 won the championship, while Tyler McQuarrie in the Falken Tire Nissan 350Z took the event victory.

Round 7: Title Fight concluded the most successful season in Formula DRIFT history. The sold out crowd eclipsed attendance records for the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and is now the largest Formula DRIFT event in history.

“First of all we would like to congratulate Dai on his first championship. He has worked hard for over 8 years and has consistently had good results and its awesome to see it pay off for him,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “You couldn’t script the finals to be any better capping off the season with excitement and drama and ending on a high note to a sell out crowd to be the largest drifting event we have ever produced.”

With the championship decided in the Final 4 competition, the event was far from over. Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z defeated Darren McNamara in the consolation round to secure third place for the event and also move him up into third place overall. The final battle of the evening pitted Rhys Millen in the Redbull / Hankook Hyundai Genesis Coupe against Tyler McQuarrie. After an intense battle McQuarrie took the victory moving himself up to finish in the fifth standing position for the season.

“To win in Irwindale is massive for any driver and to do it under the circumstances surrounding this week is incredible,” stated Tyler McQuarrie, winner of Round 7: Title Fight. “This victory paints a better picture and gives me the momentum heading into the off-season.”

The results of the event could only be described as the ultimate finish to crown a champion. This event was the closest and most competitive chase for the championship in Formula DRIFT history, with 5 drivers entering with a chance at the title. Rookie of the year honors went to Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis. Many scenarios played out with such a close gap in the point standings. Daijiro Yoshihara entered with the point lead and was taken out early in the Top 16 opening the door for the others to take the championship. Yet, the stars were aligned for Yoshihara and by a narrow margin he was able to hold onto the lead to win the 2011 Formula DRIFT Championship along with the Tires.com Triple Crown. Marking the first time in Series history that the champion also wins the bonus prize.

“It’s a great feeling and a dream come true,” said Daijiro Yoshihara, 2011 Formula DRIFT champion. “After 8 years of driving it finally paid off. I owe a lot to my team and sponsors. My new goal will be to defend the championship and win it outright during the event.”