Category: Press Releases

Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Results;
Chris Forsberg Takes the Opening Round Victory of 2014 Pro Championship

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Long Beach, Calif. – April 6, 2014 – Formula DRIFT presented by GoPro kicked-off the first event of the 2014 season with Round 1: Streets of Long Beach to a sold out crowd. Chris Forsberg in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370 Z takes the victory and the lead in the chase for the championship.

Round 1: Streets of Long Beach started off the eleventh season of Formula DRIFT to a sell out crowd. Over 20,000 fans gathered to experience the drifting action and excitement on the famous Streets of Long Beach Grand Prix course. The Dailymotion Livestream partnership saw over 230,000 unique viewers watch the Driftstream over the event weekend with over 1 million views in a 24 hour period.

“It is truly a fantastic feeling to see not only the live event attendance grow steadily year after year, but also the global Driftstream audience,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “We pride ourselves in being able to provide entertainment to such a young, engaged and tech-savvy audience.”

Consistent driving helped propel Chris Forsberg to the top of the podium to earn the season’s first victory and championship points lead. Forsberg faced Norway’s Kenny Moen in the Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX in the final battle and after a close decision the judges awarded Forsberg the win. The top qualifier and 2013 defending champion, Michael Essa in the Essa Autosport / Yokohama Tire BMW M3 rounded out the podium with third place.

“It feels amazing to be on top of the podium, especially here at the first round of the eleventh season of Formula DRIFT,” said Chris Forsberg, winner of Round 1: Streets of Long Beach. “We will try to keep the momentum with our new changes and take the championship home.”

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship Presented by GoPro 2014 Standings After One Round

1. Forsberg, Chris Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z 104.50 Points
2. Moen, Kenneth Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX 84.50 Points
3. Essa, Michael Essa Autosport / Yokohama BMW M3 74.00 Points
4. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 68.50 Points
5. Aasbo, Fredric Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC 52.50 Points
6. Wang, Forrest Get Nuts Lab / Hankook Tire / STR Racing Nissan S14 51.00 Points
7. Bakchis, Aurimas Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX 51.00 Points
8. McNamara, Darren Falken Tire Nissan S14 51.00 Points
9. Gittin Jr., Vaughn Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR 39.50 Points
10. McQuarrie, Tyler GoPro Mobil 1Chevrolet Camaro 38.00 Points
11. Goodin, Pat Enjuku Racing Nissan 240SX 35.00 Points
12. Tuerck, Ryan Retaks Maxxis Tires Air Force PSI Scion FR-S 35.00 Points
12. Grunewald, Conrad Megan Racing / Top 1 Oil / BRE Chevrolet Camaro 35.00 Points
13. Mohan, Kyle GT Radial Energy-X Mazdatrix RX-8 35.00 Points
15. Baribeau, Mats Gold in the Net Toyota Mark II 33.50 Points
16. Mertzanis, Dennis Hyundai Genesis Legato AR1 33.50 Points
Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Event Results
1. Forsberg, Chris Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z Winner
2. Moen, Kenneth Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX 2nd Place
3. Essa, Michael Essa Autosport / Yokohama BMW M3 3rd Place

Manufacturers Championship Standings After One Round

1. Nissan 122.00 Points
2. Ford 108.00
3. BMW 94.50 Points
4. Scion 87.50 Points
5. Chevrolet 73.00 Points

Tire Championship Standings After One Round
1. Hankook 157.00 Points
2. Falken 119.50 Points
3. Achilles 102.00 Points
4. Nitto 90.50 Points
5. Yokohama 74.00 Points

For full Standings visit: Formula DRIFT Standings

Formula DRIFT Introduces New Custom Designed Carbon Fiber Trophy by APR Performance

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Long Beach, Calif. – March 26, 2014 – Formula DRIFT will introduce a newly designed carbon fiber trophy by APR Performance at the first event of the season on April 4 on the Streets of Long Beach.

“As we enter a new decade of Formula DRIFT, it is only fitting that we introduce a progressive and custom designed carbon fiber trophy for the drivers to compete for,” said Jim Liaw, President and Co-Founder of Formula DRIFT. “We worked hand in hand with aerodynamic composite parts manufacturer, APR Performance to create this amazing new prize which will be awarded to all drivers that reach the podium.”

Formula DRIFT first introduced a carbon fiber trophy to the Series in 2009. Carbon fiber is significant to motor sports for its strength to weight ratio and now represents victory and accomplishment.

Follow APR Performance on:

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/aprperformance

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/aprperformance

Formula DRIFT Insider Returning for 2014 Season

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Long Beach, Calif. – March 25, 2014 – Formula DRIFT has announced that the popular web-based program, “Formula DRIFT Insider,” will return this season. The years show will provide a behind the scenes companion to the live-to-tape NBC Sports Network program. Formula DRIFT Insider will travel with the drivers to their homes, on the road and give an exclusive look from the driver’s point of view of what goes on during the live competition.

“For years, we have wanted to bring this concept to light and now with our online audience being one of the largest in domestic motor sports and with our partnership with Dailymotion, it makes sense to invest in creating this type of show for Formula DRIFT Insider,” said Ryan Sage, vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT.

The Formula DRIFT Insider shows will be released coincident with the NBC Sports Network shows to give fans a chance to watch the live action and then head to Dailymotion for the behind the scenes look at what they just watched on NBCSN.

Formula DRIFT’s NBCSN programming begins on Sunday, July 27th at 2:30 PM (EST).

Formula DRIFT Announces Continued Partnership with GoPro

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Long Beach, Calif. – March 20, 2014 – Formula DRIFT and GoPro will continue their relationship for the second consecutive season. GoPro is the exclusive and official camera partner for the Series.
“Formula DRIFT is such a unique racing series, unlike any other in motorsports, and GoPro is proud to offer fans and racers a never-before-seen perspective of the wheel-to-wheel intensity that has made DRIFT so intriguing,” said Todd Ballard, Director of Sports Marketing for GoPro.

GoPro, maker of lightweight, wearable and gear-mounted cameras that transform the way consumers and professionals capture and share meaningful content, is the exclusive on-car and in-car camera during official competition. This will be the second of a three-year deal between GoPro and Formula DRIFT that has already proved to be a winning combination for DRIFT fans and racers alike. As the official camera, GoPro enables Formula DRIFT to offer its fans an immersive, unique experience that strengthens the excitement of the racing series, while also providing competitors a tool to review their performances and evaluate the competition. The versatility of the HERO line of cameras allows for angles and perspectives otherwise unattainable. Fans can feel like they are actually in the car next to the stars of the sport.

“GoPro is an integral partner for Formula DRIFT and we look forward to continuing this relationship with them,” stated Ryan Sage, vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “This season fans can expect more integration between GoPro and Formula DRIFT with an increase in the content distribution including social media.”

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY TO HOST FORMULA DRIFT MAY 30-31

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Media Contacts:
Edward Williams, 305.230.5229, [email protected]
John Pangilinan, 213.802.0863, [email protected]

HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY TO HOST FORMULA DRIFT MAY 30-31

Round 3 of the only professional drifting series in North America will feature an international field

MIAMI – One of the most exciting forms of motorsports is coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway May 30-31. Round 3 of the Formula DRIFT Championship will feature drivers from around the world competing in well-executed, controlled sideway slides at high speed on the speedway’s 2.21 mile infield road course. Track President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.

“Unlike Ford Championship Weekend when NASCAR crowns champions during three days of racing, Formula DRIFT is not a race, but a highly technical dogfight,” said Becherer. “Of the 280-plus events we’ll host at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2014, Formula DRIFT will undoubtedly be one of the most unique.”

Japan is credited with the creation of drifting as early as the 1970s. As it gained recognition in the 80s and 90s, it became a popular underground movement. Drifting, in simple terms, is when a driver intentionally puts his car into a controlled slide around a corner at high speed. It is a skilled motorsport that is based on execution, skill and style instead of the fastest time. But once it landed on American shores is when drifting really took off exponentially around the world.

Drifting is a learned technique in which the driver pushes the car to its limits while maintaining control for the full length of the curve. A car is drifting when the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction of the turn (for example, the car is turning left but the wheels are pointed right and vice versa). Drift cars are light to moderate weight rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive coupes and sedans.

Drivers will qualify individually to determine their position in a bracket that will then determine the “head-to-head” match- ups. Head-to-head runs are judged and based on a number of criteria with the winner moving into the next round.

The goal in drifting is not to have the fastest time or pass the most cars. Instead, it is judged on the skill of the driver, car control, speed, and proximity to the other car and barriers. The drivers will also be judged on how well they follow the predetermined “line,” which is the path that provides the highest speed and angle the cars can handle. The Formula DRIFT drivers will utilize Turns 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Homestead-Miami Speedway infield road course.

Individual daily tickets are $28 while two-day passes that include Friday (May 30) practices and qualifying are $32. Tickets for the event are on sale now here. They are also available by phone at 305.230.5255.

About Homestead-Miami Speedway

The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. The 650-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year and will host NASCAR’s championship races during Ford Championship Weekend (November 14-16, 2014) for the 13th consecutive year. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship Ford EcoBoost 400 is broadcast live on TV and radio to 200 countries in 24 languages. Homestead-Miami Speedway, featuring a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21- mile road course, generates more than $250 million annually for the region.

HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com | Facebook.com/HomesteadMiamiSpeedway | @HomesteadMiami | @HMSEspanol