Formula DRIFT Round 5: Throwdown Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 5: Throwdown Results;
Darren McNamara Takes the Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – July 19, 2014 – Formula DRIFT returned to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA for Round 5: Throwdown. Darren McNamara in the Falken Tire Nissan S14 takes his first victory of the season.

Round 5: Throwdown held at Evergreen Speedway showcased intense competition throughout the weekend. The weather held up for the capacity crowd as they were entertained by the action on track, the open paddock and Offset Kings car show.

“The competition has tightened up with only two events remaining this season,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “We can expect the final two rounds of the season to be as intense as ever. The drivers will be battling for every point possible.”

Number one qualifier, Darren McNamara faced fellow Irishman, Dean Kearney in the Oracle Lighting SRT Viper, in the finals. After a close battle, McNamara was able to take the win for his first victory of the season. This also marks the first podium in Kearney’s career. Rounding out the podium in third place was current point leader, Chris Forsberg, in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z, for his fifth consecutive podium of the season.

“It’s nice to be back. It’s been a rough year,” said Darren McNamara, winner of Round 5: Throwdown. “We’ve had a few things to overcome, but we’re here. It’s been a flawless weekend and it’s hard to believe. I’m so happy, especially for the team.”

The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 6: Showdown at Texas Motor Speedway on September 12-13. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaD.

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship Presented by GoPro 2014 Standings After Five Rounds
1. Forsberg, Chris Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 421.50 Points
2. Aasbo, Fredric Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC 362.50 Points
3. Gittin Jr., Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR 308.50 Points
4. Moen, Kenneth Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX 275.50 Points
5. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Nissan S14 263.00 Points
6. Bakchis, Aurimas Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 243.50 Points
7. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 226.00 Points
8. Kearney, Dean Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper SRT 215.50 Points
9. Nishida, Robbie Achilles Radial / Bridges Racing Lexus SC300 191.00 Points
10. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire / STR Racing Nissan S14 183.50 Points
11. Grunewald, Conrad Megan Racing / Top 1 Oil / BRE Chevrolet Camaro 176.50 Points
12. Essa, Michael Essa Autosport / Yokohama BMW M3 164.50 Points
13. Tuerck, Ryan Retaks Maxxis Tires Air Force PSI Scion FR-S 162.00 Points
14. Gushi, Ken GReddy Performance X Scion Racing Drift FR-S 156.00 Points
15. McQuarrie, Tyler GoPro Mobil 1Chevrolet Camaro 153.50 Points
16. Field, Matt CX Racing / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 153.00 Points

Round 5: Throwdown Event Results
1. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Nissan S14 Winner
2. Kearney, Dean Oracle Lighting Dodge Viper SRT 2nd Place
3. Forsberg, Chris Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 3rd Place

Manufacturers Championship Standings After Five Rounds
1. Scion 569.50 Points
2. Ford 534.50 Points
3. Nissan 529.50 Points
4. Chevy 330.00 Points
5. BMW 299.00 Points

Tire Championship Standings After Five Rounds
1. Hankook 784.00 Points
2. Nitto 613.00 Points
3. Achilles 574.00 Points
4. Falken 508.00 Points
5. Maxxis 246.50 Points

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 2 at Evergreen Speedway Results

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Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 2 at Evergreen Speedway Results;
Dan Savage Takes the Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – July 18, 2014– Formula DRIFT PRO 2 continued the season at Evergreen Speedway with the second of four rounds of competition. Dan Savage in the Sikky Manufacturing Mazda RX-8 takes the victory and shares the lead in the standings.

PRO 2 continued today at Evergreen Speedway. PRO 2 was introduced as an intermediary series between the Formula DRIFT Pro-Am and Pro Championship to help drivers get acclimated to the competition level and venues, while gaining valuable experience. As the first year of the PRO 2, drivers that are eligible include both licensed Pro-Am and Pro Championship drivers. Drivers were also given the option to compete in both Pro 2 and the Pro Championship.

“PRO 2 has given drivers a second chance,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “Dan Savage was unable to qualify into the Top 32 for the Pro Championship, but with PRO 2 he was able to make the most out of his weekend with the top spot on the podium and a chance at the PRO 2 championship.”

Dan Savage met Jeff Jones in the CX Racing S14 in the final battle. Jones spun to give the advantage and victory to Savage. Coming in third place was Jeremy Lowe in the Enjuku Racing Mazda RX-7, who currently stands in third place for the PRO 2 Championship.

“Coming all the way out here to the West Coast for the PRO 2 round was stressful,” said Dan Savage, winner of Round 2 of PRO 2. “But we were able to qualify high and finish at the top. It was a god send and we can’t wait to carry this momentum in Texas.”

Formula DRIFT Announces Contract Extensions for Venues

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Long Beach, Calif. – July 17, 2014 – Formula DRIFT presented by GoPro has extended contracts with Road Atlanta and Evergreen Speedway through the 2016 season. The Streets of Long Beach venue partnership will continue in 2015.

“The growth of Drift Atlanta over the past 11 years has been phenomenal,” stated Road Atlanta President and General Manager Geoff Lee. “We are pleased to extend our relationship with Formula DRIFT through 2016, and continue to build on the momentum that has made Drift Atlanta one of the largest and most renowned drifting events in North America.”

In an effort to plan for the future of the Series with established long running relationships with venues, Formula DRIFT has committed to the following tracks for the 2015 – 2016 season, Road Atlanta, Evergreen Speedway and the Streets of Long Beach for 2015. More venues are expected to sign contracts soon.

“Eleven years ago we were the last on the list to get dates locked in for some of the venues,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “Now here we are eleven years later and are towards the top of the list for venues across the country. We are proud of the growth of the sport and it couldn’t have been done without the relationships that we have with these top venues and we look forward to continuing the relationships for years to come.”

Formula DRIFT is mid-way through the 2014 Pro Championship season and returns to Evergreen Speedway this weekend. This will mark the ninth year consecutive year of competition at this venue for the Series.

“Evergreen Speedway is excited and proud to announce a three year contract extension with Formula DRIFT through to the 2016 season,” said Doug Hobbs, president and CEO. “Formula DRIFT is by far, the most exciting and single largest motorsport event each and every year at Evergreen Speedway. Having such a marquee world stage series in the Seattle market is also a boost to tourism with a major economic impact. The best part for me is seeing thousands of fans smiling and having fun watching some of the most talented drivers in the world wow the crowd.”

Ford Continues Support of Formula DRIFT with Mustang Teams Running in Top-10

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Ford Continues Support of Formula DRIFT with Mustang Teams Running in Top-10

• Ford brings sweepstakes for custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST to 2014 Formula DRIFT series

• Former champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. and past winner Justin Pawlak competing in Ford Mustangs

• Gittin Jr. and Pawlak both advanced to the final eight at 2013 Monroe event

Long Beach, Calif. – July 15, 2014 – Following success in the first four Formula DRIFT events of the 2014 season, Ford Motor Company is leading the points in the manufacturer’s standings through the efforts of Mustang drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Justin Pawlak, ranked third and sixth, respectively, in the driver’s championship. Gittin Jr. and Pawlak will compete in customized Ford Mustangs in Monroe, Washington, this weekend, July 18-19, in round five of the seven-event series.

“We’re excited to be first in the manufacturer standings heading into the final rounds of the 2014 Formula DRIFT season,” said Steve Ling, Ford North America car marketing manager. “Having competitive drivers who value performance as much as we do at Ford makes these last three rounds even more thrilling.”

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine.

“Fans love seeing Ford involved on the track and in the paddock,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communications manager. “Last season, the two Mustang drivers consistently finished at the top, keeping Ford in the hunt for the manufacturers’ cup throughout its first year. Now, following Vaughn’s recent victories in rounds two and three in Atlanta and Miami, we’re confident our drivers will continue to show the Formula DRIFT world that Ford and Mustang are winners.”

Amidst the excitement of North America’s foremost professional drifting championship, Ford is giving fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost®- powered Fiesta ST. Anyone can enter the contest online while watching the hot action each weekend at www.formuladrift.com

“With only three events remaining in the 2014 season, Ford looks to continue their success and keep the lead on their way to their first manufacturer cup championship,” said Ryan Sage, Formula DRIFT vice president and cofounder. “Formula DRIFT fans can get in on the action by entering to win a custom Ford Fiesta ST during the remaining events this season.”

“The hot new Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among the younger crowd,” said Ling. “So we partnered with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added a Ford Racing Performance Parts exhaust and some cool new wheels and touches to make this a true, one-of-one car. We displayed it at the season opener in Long Beach and will have it at the series finale in Irwindale, California in, October.”

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly-skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

This season’s competition features pro drivers and teams running seven events. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 5: Throwdown at Evergreen Raceway on July 18-19. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaD.

Formula DRIFT Japan Results

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Formula DRIFT Japan Results;
Masao Suenaga Takes Event Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – July 10, 2014 – Formula DRIFT entered Fuji Speedway for the first Formula DRIFT Japan event for Round 2 of the Formula DRIFT Asia Championship. Japan’s own Masao Suenaga takes the inaugural event victory.

Formula DRIFT continued global expansion into the land of the rising sun holding the first ever Formula DRIFT Japan event at Fuji Speedway this past weekend. The event embarks on a three-year deal between the Series and MSC Co, Ltd.

The event had sixty-nine entries in which fourteen of those were Formula DRIFT Asia regulars. Six of the fourteen finished in the Top 16. Participating drivers represented eight countries.

“In 2003, I was here to announce that professional drifting was venturing outside of Japan for the first time,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Today, we came back to the birthplace of this sport to stage the first ever Formula DRIFT competition. To top it all off, the competition was awesome!”

Formula DRIFT featured ancillary events including: the Offset Kings car show, World Time Attack exhibition, Mazda Fest, 180 & Silvia Meet, FMX demos and Supermoto racing. Over 150,000 viewers watched the event worldwide via the Driftstream.

Formula DRIFT Results:

Winner = Masao Suenaga
2nd Place = Masashi Yokoi
3rd Place = Fredric Aasbo

The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 5: Throwdown at Evergreen Speedway on July 18-19. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaD.