Tag: Formula D

Formula DRIFT Announces 2-Year Title Sponsorship with Link Engine Management for the PRO2 Championship

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Formula DRIFT Announces 2-Year Title Sponsorship with Link Engine Management for the PRO2 Championship

Long Beach, Calif. – December 13, 2017 – Formula DRIFT has announced a 2-year sponsorship agreement with Link Engine Management for the Formula Drift PRO2 Championship.

Link Engine Management provides drivers from around the globe with world-class engine management technology. With a race proven range of WireIn ECUs, PlugIn ECUs, and more, Link has provided a winning formula for champions from various series. Link’s ECUs are sold in 65 countries by over 1,500 dealers.

“We’re excited to bring Link Engine Management to US. For years, we’ve supported drift around the world including such series as the British and Irish Drift Championships, ADGP Australia, D1NZ, and D1GP China, plus many of the top drift drivers in the world,” said Torry Skurski, North American Sales Manager for Link ECU. “With our new US based teams, we are excited to be supporting the most watched drift Series in the world, Formula DRIFT. Our product has proven itself with drivers such as James Deane and Piotr Wiecek, and we look forward to providing the support needed for more championships to be won.”

The sponsorship will allow expanded Livestream coverage and dedicated social media for the PRO2 Championship.

“It is great that we have found a company that believes in our vision of the PRO2 Championship as the breeding ground for the next generation of Formula DRIFT stars,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “Their strong global network especially with the many series that are in alliance with Formula DRIFT will also aid the growth of the Series and the Sport.”

2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU PRO2 Championship Schedule

Round 1:
May 11 – 12 – Atlanta, GA

Round 2:
August – St. Louis, MO

Round 3:
September 14 – 15 – Dallas, TX

Round 4:
October 12 – 13 – Las Vegas, NV

*Subject to Change

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 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