Category: Featured

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

Formula DRIFT Round 7: AutoZone Showdown Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 7: AutoZone Showdown Results;

James Deane Increases His Chances for a Championship with the Win

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Long Beach, Calif. – September 9, 2017 – Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Texas Motor Speedway for Round 7: AutoZone Showdown. James Deane in the Worthhouse / Falken Tire Nissan S15 had a perfect weekend as the number one qualifier and with his second consecutive event victory.

Irish driver James Deane has tied a Formula DRIFT record with his fourth event victory in a single season to increase his lead in the Pro Championship standings with only one event remaining. The capacity crowd was entertained throughout the event weekend, while the Livestream drew over 1 million views over the course of the event.

“This was quite the weekend here in Texas,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “With so much on the line, it made for an intense competition that I hope the fans enjoyed.”

In the Top 4, number one qualifier and current points leader, James Deane in the Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240 faced off against former champion and second in points, Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM. Deane was able to edge past his opponent to move into the Finals. On the other side of the Top 4 bracket, former champion Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy / Hankook Nissan 370Z faced Aurimas Bakchis in the Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels Nissan 240. A mistake by Bakchis on his chase run gave Forsberg the win. In the Finals, Deane’s consistent driving proved to be too much as Forsberg fell back and took a shallow line on his chase run, which ultimately lead to his win and a considerable lead heading into the Finals.

“I’ve drifted plenty of tracks in my time, but I’ve never drifted coming out of the first corner with a straight so long where you’re sitting behind the lead car just filled with smoke,” said James Deane, winner of Round 7: Showdown. “It worked out for me this time. I’m just super happy for everyone that supports me and everyone back home.”

The action continues to Round 8: Title Fight on October 13-14 at Irwindale Speedway. 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 7: Showdown Results

1. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

Winner

2. Forsberg, Chris

NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z

2nd Place

3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

3rd Place

4. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

4th Place

5. Denofa, Chelsea

BC Racing / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

5th Place

6. Yoshihara, Dai

Falken Tire / Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ

6th Place

7. Gushi, Ken

GReddy Racing / Nexen Tire Toyota 86

7th Place

8. Gittin, Vaughn

Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR

8th Place

9. Coffman, Matt

Nexen Tire / Coffman Racing Nissan 240

9th Place

10. Tuerck, Ryan

Gumout / Nameless Performance / Hankook Toyota 86

10th Place

11. Wiecek, Piotr

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan S15

11th Place

12. Essa, Michael

Achilles Tire / Essa Autosport BMW E46

12th Place

13. Bluss, Kristaps

HGK / Mast / Motul / Wisefab BMW E46

13th Place

14. Pawlak, Justin

Roush Performance Ford Mustang

14th Place

15. Hohnadell, Alec

Urban Air / Hoonigan / Nexen Tire Nissan 240

15th Place

16. Castro, Jhonnattan

Gerdau Metaldom / Nexen Toyota GT86

16th Place

2017 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Championship Presented by BlackVue Standings After 7 Events

1. Deane, James

Worthouse Drift Team / Falken Tire Nissan 240

582.00 Points

2. Aasbo, Fredric

Rockstar Energy / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM

486.00 Points

3. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi”

Falken Tires / Drifz Wheels / ARK Performance Nissan 240SX

367.00 Points

2017 Manufacturer Championship Standings After 7 Events

1. Toyota

837.00 Points

2. Ford

632.00 Points

3. BMW

331.00 Points

4. Dodge

275.00 Points

4. Nissan

275.00 Points

6. Infiniti

156.00 Points

2017 Tire Championship Standings After 7 Events

1. Falken

1065.00 Points

2. Nexen

892.00 Points

3. Achilles

807.00 Points

4. Nitto

664.00 Points

5. Hankook

645.00 Points